The Book of Virtues - Sahih Muslim 2319 a

That the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: "He who shows no mercy to the people, Allah, the Exalted and Glorious, does not show mercy to him."

Textual Analysis

This profound hadith establishes a fundamental principle of divine reciprocity: as one treats creation, so shall the Creator treat them. The wording "people" (al-nās) encompasses all human beings regardless of faith, indicating the universal nature of mercy.

The phrase "Allah, the Exalted and Glorious" emphasizes God's supreme majesty while simultaneously highlighting His attribute of mercy, demonstrating that even in His transcendence, He relates to creation through compassion.

Juridical Implications

Scholars derive from this hadith that showing mercy is not merely recommended but obligatory, as its absence incurs divine wrath. This applies to all relationships: rulers toward subjects, teachers toward students, parents toward children, and between all members of society.

The prohibition extends beyond physical harm to include harsh speech, unfair treatment, and neglect of others' needs. Mercy must manifest in both action and intention.

Spiritual Dimensions

This tradition reveals mercy as a divine attribute that humans must embody to attain proximity to Allah. The heart devoid of mercy becomes veiled from divine grace, for how can one receive what they refuse to give?

Ibn Rajab al-Hanbali notes that this hadith connects our treatment of creation directly to Allah's treatment of us, making mercy a means of securing divine favor in this life and the next.

Practical Applications

The believer must cultivate mercy in all interactions: forgiving wrongs, assisting the needy, speaking gently, and making allowances for human shortcomings. Even in dispensing justice, mercy should temper rigor.

This includes mercy toward animals, as other authentic traditions indicate. The comprehensive nature of this teaching makes mercy the foundation of Islamic ethics and social conduct.