Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said, "A prostitute was forgiven by Allah, because, passing by a panting dog near a well and seeing that the dog was about to die of thirst, she took off her shoe, and tying it with her head-cover she drew out some water for it. So, Allah forgave her because of that."
Beginning of Creation - Sahih al-Bukhari 3321
This narration from the authentic collection of Imam al-Bukhari demonstrates the vastness of Allah's mercy and the significance of showing compassion to all living creatures.
Contextual Background
The incident refers to a woman from the Children of Israel who was engaged in major sin, yet her single act of mercy toward a creature in distress became the means of her divine forgiveness.
Scholarly Commentary
Classical scholars explain that this hadith illustrates several profound principles: First, that Allah's mercy encompasses all His creation. Second, that sincere acts of kindness to animals - even by those immersed in sin - can be accepted by Allah. Third, that the value of an action lies in its sincerity and the benefit it provides, not merely the status of the person performing it.
The woman used her shoe and head-cover, showing she utilized whatever means available to relieve the dog's suffering. Scholars note that her action was particularly meritorious because she went to considerable effort and used her personal garments to assist a creature that many would disregard.
Legal and Spiritual Implications
This narration establishes the Islamic principle of kindness to animals as a means of attaining divine pleasure and forgiveness. Scholars derive from this that showing mercy to any living being can expiate sins and draw one closer to Allah.
The hadith also demonstrates that no one should despair of Allah's mercy, regardless of their past deeds. However, scholars caution that this should not be misunderstood as permission to persist in sin while hoping for similar forgiveness, but rather as encouragement to combine repentance with righteous deeds.