While we were with him, meaning with the Prophet, a man came forward wearing a garment and carrying something wrapped up in his hand. He said, “Messenger of God, I passed by a thicket of trees in which I heard the chirping of young birds, so I took them and put them in my garment. Their mother came and flew round over my head, so I uncovered them to let her see them, and when she alighted on them I wrapped them all up in my garment, and these are what I have with me.” He gave command to put them down, and I did so,* but their mother would not leave them, whereupon God’s messenger said, “Do you wonder at the pity of the young birds’ mother for her young? By Him who sent me with the truth, God shows more pity towards His servants than the mother of young birds shows to her young. Take them back and put them where you got them, their mother being with them.” So he took them back. *The use of the first person seems strange here. The command was given to the man who was holding the bundle, and so one would have expected "and he did so." This is not the kind of sentence in which the change of person frequently used in Arabic style seems natural. As the text stands it would seem that ‘Amir took the bundle from the man and laid it down.Abu Dawud transmitted it.
The Incident and Its Context
This narration from Mishkat al-Masabih 2377, transmitted by Abu Dawud, presents a profound demonstration of divine mercy through a tangible earthly example. The Companion's action of taking young birds, while initially appearing harmless, triggered the mother bird's desperate concern, circling overhead in distress over her offspring.
Scholarly Commentary on Divine Mercy
The Prophet's declaration "By Him who sent me with the truth, God shows more pity towards His servants than the mother of young birds shows to her young" establishes the foundational Islamic understanding of Allah's boundless compassion. Classical scholars emphasize that this comparison makes the abstract concept of divine mercy comprehensible through human experience.
Ibn Hajar al-Asqalani comments that the mother bird's instinctual love represents the strongest natural affection known to creation, yet Allah's mercy infinitely surpasses this. Al-Nawawi notes that this hadith should inspire hope in sinners and encourage them to repent, knowing that Allah's capacity for forgiveness exceeds even the most powerful earthly love.
Legal and Ethical Implications
The Prophet's command to return the birds establishes important principles in Islamic environmental ethics and animal welfare. Scholars derive from this that causing unnecessary harm to animals and separating offspring from parents is prohibited unless for legitimate necessity.
Imam al-Ghazali explains that this incident demonstrates the interconnectedness of creation and our responsibility as vicegerents (khulafa') to show compassion to all living beings. The restoration of the birds to their original habitat represents the Islamic principle of maintaining natural balance (mizan).
Spiritual Dimensions
This narration serves as a powerful reminder for believers to reflect upon Allah's attributes, particularly His mercy (rahmah). Classical commentators stress that understanding divine mercy should lead to increased gratitude, trust in Allah during difficulties, and emulation of merciful behavior toward all creation.
Ibn al-Qayyim elaborates that just as the mother bird never abandoned her young despite their separation, Allah never abandons His servants, constantly providing for them and inviting them to return to Him through repentance and obedience.