them, or wrongfully bring them difficulties whilst being members of this Umma.

Imam al-Shaʿrānī رَحْمَةُ الـلّٰـهِ عَـلَيْه writes:

This covenant was taken from us from the Messenger of Allah صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم, that we should show compassion to all of Allah's creation, while remaining within the boundaries of the Shari'ah.^[1]

After this, Imam al-Shaʿrānī mentioned another amazing point. He writes, “As much as creation is merciful to themselves; being even more merciful to them than this is the legacy of the Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم.”^[2]

اللہُ اکبر Dear Islamic brothers! Look at the beauty of Islam! Not only does it teach us to be kind to others, it also says we must be more kind to others than they are to themselves; that we must care for them more than they care for themselves.

Perfection of belief

The Messenger of Allah صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم declared, لَنْ تُؤْمِنُوا حَتَّى تَرَاحَمُوا  – “You shall not be perfect believers until you have mercy for one another.” The Companions رَضِیَ اللهُ عَنْهُم submitted, “O Messenger of Allah صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم! We show mercy to one another.” He then declared, “This does not mean you show mercy to those you know. وَلٰكِنَّھَا  رَحْمَةُ الْعَامَّةِ – This entails communal mercy.”^[3]

This means we must show mercy and kindness to all of creation. Animals, birds, even insects, we should show mercy to them all.