Some Sabi (i.e. war prisoners, children and woman only) were brought before the Prophet (ﷺ) and behold, a woman amongst them was milking her breasts to feed and whenever she found a child amongst the captives, she took it over her chest and nursed it (she had lost her child but later she found him) the Prophet said to us, "Do you think that this lady can throw her son in the fire?" We replied, "No, if she has the power not to throw it (in the fire)." The Prophet (ﷺ) then said, "Allah is more merciful to His slaves than this lady to her son."
Hadith Commentary: The Boundless Mercy of Allah
This profound narration from Sahih al-Bukhari 5999 demonstrates the infinite mercy of Allah towards His creation, using a powerful human analogy that resonates with natural human instincts.
Contextual Analysis
The incident occurred during wartime when captives were brought before the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ). Among them was a woman desperately searching for her child, nursing any infant she found in hope of finding her own.
The woman's maternal instinct was so strong that she spontaneously lactated when seeing children, demonstrating the profound natural bond between mother and child that Allah has created.
Theological Significance
The Prophet's rhetorical question - "Do you think this lady can throw her son in the fire?" - establishes a fundamental principle: no loving mother would willingly harm her child.
The conclusion that "Allah is more merciful to His slaves than this lady to her son" reveals that divine mercy exceeds even the strongest human compassion. If a mother's love is so powerful, how much greater must be the mercy of the Creator?
Scholarly Insights
Classical scholars note that this hadith refutes extreme predestinarian views, showing that Allah's mercy precedes His wrath. As the woman would not cast her child into fire, Allah is even less likely to condemn His servants without cause.
The companions' qualified response - "No, if she has the power not to throw it" - indicates their understanding of human nature and free will, which the Prophet used to highlight Allah's absolute power coupled with perfect mercy.
Practical Application
This narration encourages believers to never despair of Allah's mercy, to approach Him with hope and confidence, and to extend mercy to others as reflection of divine attributes.
It teaches that mercy is among Allah's primary attributes, and that His forgiveness is always available to those who sincerely repent, just as a mother's embrace is always open to her returning child.