Sayyiduna ‘Abdullah bin ‘Amr bin ‘Aas (radhiyallahu ‘anhuma) reports that Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) said, “Those who show mercy and compassion to others, Allah Ta‘ala the Most Merciful will show them mercy and compassion. Show mercy to those on the earth, the One in the Heavens (i.e. Allah Ta‘ala Whose control and power extends over the Heavens and the earth) will show mercy to you.” (Sunan Abi Dawood #4941)

In this blessed hadeeth, Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) has taught us that if we want to be blessed with the mercy of Allah Ta‘ala, we will have to show mercy, kindness and compassion to others – be they Muslim, non-Muslim or even animals.

If we want Allah Ta‘ala to forgive us, we will have to have the heart to forego our grudges and forgive others. If we want Allah Ta‘ala to overlook our shortcomings, we will have to overlook the shortcomings and mistakes of others.

When we adopt an outlook of forgiving and forgetting the wrongs that we suffer from other people, Allah Ta‘ala will similarly bless us to repent for our sins. He will then readily forgive us and erase our sins.

May Allah Ta‘ala bless us all with the quality of kindness and compassion, aameen.