We were with the Prophet (ﷺ) when suddenly there came to him a messenger from one of his daughters who was asking him to come and see her son who was dying. The Prophet (ﷺ) said (to the messenger), "Go back and tell her that whatever Allah takes is His, and whatever He gives is His, and everything with Him has a limited fixed term (in this world). So order her to be patient and hope for Allah's reward." But she sent the messenger to the Prophet (ﷺ) again, swearing that he should come to her. So the Prophet got up, and so did Sa`d bin 'Ubada and Mu`adh bin Jabal (and went to her). When the child was brought to the Prophet (ﷺ) his breath was disturbed in his chest as if it were in a water skin. On that the eyes of the Prophet (ﷺ) became flooded with tears, whereupon Sa`d said to him, "O Allah's Messenger (ﷺ)! What is this?" The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "This is mercy which Allah has put in the heart of His slaves, and Allah bestows His mercy only on those of His slaves who are merciful (to others)."
Oneness, Uniqueness of Allah (Tawheed)
Sahih al-Bukhari - Hadith 7377
Contextual Analysis
This profound narration from Sahih al-Bukhari demonstrates the perfect balance between divine decree (qadar) and human compassion. The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) initially responds with theological instruction about Allah's ownership and predetermined terms, yet his subsequent emotional response reveals the compatibility between faith and natural human feelings.
Core Tawheed Principles
"Whatever Allah takes is His, and whatever He gives is His" establishes the fundamental Islamic doctrine of divine ownership. This statement affirms that all creation belongs exclusively to Allah, and human beings are merely trustees. The limited fixed term emphasizes that every soul has an appointed time decreed by Allah alone.
Divine Mercy and Human Compassion
The Prophet's tears demonstrate that strong faith doesn't negate natural emotions. His explanation that "this is mercy which Allah has put in the heart of His slaves" shows that compassion is a divine quality implanted in believers. The reciprocal nature of mercy - that Allah bestows mercy upon the merciful - establishes an important spiritual principle.
Practical Guidance
The initial instruction to "be patient and hope for Allah's reward" provides the proper spiritual response to trials. Patience (sabr) coupled with hope in divine reward transforms suffering into worship. The Prophet's eventual response to his daughter's insistence shows the importance of balancing religious principles with familial compassion.