Hadith Text

There are one hundred (parts of) mercy for Allah and He has sent down out of these one part of mercy upon the jinn and human beings and animals and the insects, and it is because of this (one part) that they love one another, show kindness to one another and even the beast treats its young one with affection, and Allah has reserved ninety nine parts of mercy with which He would treat His servants on the Day of Resurrection.

Reference: Sahih Muslim 2752 c

Commentary on Divine Mercy

This profound hadith from The Book of Repentance in Sahih Muslim reveals the vastness of Allah's mercy. The numerical division into one hundred parts is not to be understood literally as limiting Allah's attributes, but rather serves as a pedagogical device to help human intellect comprehend the immensity of divine compassion.

The single part of mercy distributed in this worldly life manifests as innate compassion among all creatures - the affection between parents and offspring, kindness between strangers, and even the protective instincts in animals. This universal mercy sustains creation and prevents complete chaos and destruction.

The reservation of ninety-nine parts for the Day of Resurrection demonstrates that the ultimate manifestation of divine mercy is eschatological. On that terrifying day when justice will be absolute, Allah's overwhelming mercy will intercede for believers, lightening the scales of judgment and granting forgiveness beyond human expectation.

Scholarly Insights

Classical scholars emphasize that this hadith should inspire hope in believers. If the mere one percent of divine mercy produces such widespread compassion in this world, then the full manifestation of mercy in the hereafter will be beyond human comprehension.

This narration also teaches that the mercy we experience and practice in this worldly life is but a reflection of divine attributes. When humans show mercy to one another and to animals, they are participating in and reflecting Allah's quality of Rahmaniyyah (universal mercy).

The distinction between worldly and hereafter mercy reminds believers that while we benefit from divine compassion in this temporary abode, the ultimate and complete mercy is reserved for the eternal life, where it will bring ultimate relief and reward to the faithful.