Abu Hurayra reported that the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, "Allah Almighty has divided mercy into one hundred parts. He kept ninety-nine parts and sent down one part to earth. Because of that one single part, creatures are merciful to one another so that even the mare will lift its hooves away from its foal so that it does not trample on it."
Hadith Text
Abu Hurayra reported that the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, "Allah Almighty has divided mercy into one hundred parts. He kept ninety-nine parts and sent down one part to earth. Because of that one single part, creatures are merciful to one another so that even the mare will lift its hooves away from its foal so that it does not trample on it."
Source Reference
Book: Looking after children
Author: Al-Adab Al-Mufrad
Hadith: Al-Adab Al-Mufrad 100
Scholarly Commentary
This profound hadith reveals the infinite nature of divine mercy. The numerical division is not literal but serves to illustrate the vast difference between Allah's comprehensive mercy and the limited mercy experienced in creation. The ninety-nine parts reserved with Allah signify His all-encompassing compassion that encompasses forgiveness, guidance, and ultimate judgment.
The single part distributed among creation manifests as natural compassion between beings. The example of the mare protecting her foal demonstrates that this mercy permeates all creation, not merely humans. This innate mercy is a divine gift that enables social harmony and familial bonds.
Scholars note that if this worldly mercy—merely one percent of the whole—can produce such profound care and protection, how immense must be the mercy Allah reserves for the believers in the hereafter. This teaching encourages Muslims to recognize every act of mercy as a reflection of divine attributes and to cultivate compassion in their dealings with all creatures.