Abu Huraira reported God’s messenger as saying, “Forgiveness was granted to an unchaste woman who coming upon a dog panting and almost dead with thirst at the mouth of a well, took off her shoe, tied it with her head-covering, and drew some water for it. On that account she was forgiven.” He was asked whether people received a reward for what they did to animals, and replied, “A reward is given in connection with every living creature.”*(Bukhari and Muslim.)* Literally, everything possessed of a moist liver.
Hadith Commentary: The Unchaste Woman and the Thirsty Dog
This profound narration from Sahih al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim, also referenced in Mishkat al-Masabih 1902, demonstrates the vastness of Allah's mercy and the comprehensive nature of divine reward. The story of the unchaste woman, whose major sin was forgiven due to a single act of compassion, serves as a timeless lesson for all believers.
The Nature of Divine Forgiveness
Scholars explain that this incident illustrates how a single righteous deed can outweigh a lifetime of sin when accompanied by sincere repentance. The woman's act, though simple, stemmed from genuine compassion (rahmah) - a quality beloved to Allah. Her forgiveness was not for her unchastity itself, but for the profound spiritual transformation her compassion represented.
Classical commentators note that this demonstrates Allah's mercy encompasses all creation, and that no sinner should despair of divine forgiveness as long as they possess the capacity for goodness and compassion in their heart.
The Significance of Kindness to Animals
The Prophet's explicit statement that "a reward is given in connection with every living creature" establishes a fundamental Islamic principle. Scholars from the Hanafi, Maliki, Shafi'i, and Hanbali schools all derive from this that showing mercy to animals is not merely recommended (mustahabb) but can approach obligatory status when relieving suffering.
The phrase "everything possessed of a moist liver" encompasses all living beings with vitality, emphasizing the comprehensive nature of Islamic compassion. This includes providing water to thirsty animals, feeding the hungry, and avoiding unnecessary harm - all acts that carry spiritual reward.
Practical Implications for Zakat and Charity
While this hadith specifically addresses kindness to animals, scholars of Mishkat al-Masabih and other classical works extend its principle to the broader concept of charity (sadaqah) and Zakat. The reward for compassion shown to animals indicates that acts of kindness beyond obligatory Zakat also carry immense spiritual weight.
This teaching encourages Muslims to extend their charitable inclinations beyond the human realm, understanding that Allah's mercy encompasses all His creation. The comprehensive nature of Islamic compassion thus becomes a means of drawing closer to the Divine through everyday acts of kindness.