Importance of Charity
Allaah has made his sending forth of the Prophet (sala Allahu alihi was-Salaam) as a mercy to all of creation, as He says:
"And We have not sent you (O Muhammad) except as a mercy to the worlds."
The word "worlds" (aalameen) is general and thus includes the world of the humans, the world of the jinn, the world of the animals and the world of the birds, as well as the nations found on land and the nations found on sea.
And indeed Allaah has commanded that mercy be applied to every thing and in every action. So even when you slaughter you sacrificial animal, you show mercy to it by saying Bismillaah and by sharpening your sword (so that it will be a quick and painless death). The Prophet (sala Allahu `alihi was-Salaam) said:
"Verily Allaah has prescribed Ihsaan (goodness) for everything. So when you slaughter, then slaughter in a good manner, and when you kill, then kill in a good manner. And let each of you sharpen his blade and let him spare the animal he slaughters from suffering."
And Allaah indeed forgave one prostitute from the Jews who showed mercy to a dog that was dying from thirst. She filled her shoe with water and then taking hold of the dogs mouth, she gave it the water to drink. So Allaah was thankful to her for what she did and forgave her sins.
And once our Prophet (sala Allahu alihi was-Salaam) saw one of his Companions grab the baby of a lark, and it began screeching over the heads of the Companions. So he (sala Allahu alihi was-Salaam) said: "Who bereaved this (lark) of her child? Return her children back to her!"
The more weak and poor a human being is, the more required we are of showing mercy to him. And being gentle with him is what is most incumbent. This is why our Lord has forbidden us from oppressing the orphan. Allaah says: "Therefore, treat not the orphan with oppression. And do not repel the beggar."
The Prophet (sala Allahu alihi was-Salaam) said:
"The person that looks after and supports the widow and the needy one is like the mujaahid (one who makes Jihaad) in the Cause of Allaah."
And he (sala Allahu alihi was-Salaam) would rub the head of the orphan and say:
"I and the guardian of an orphan will be like this in Paradise, and he SAWS gestured with his index and middle finger."
Indeed he (sala Allahu alihi was-Salaam) commanded us to take care of the children and the women and the elders. Thus, in his last words to his Companions and his nation, he said:
"The prayer and what your right hands possess." "Take good care of the women (i.e. wives)."
And he (sala Allahu alihi was-Salaam) said:
"The best of you is the best to his wives. And I am the best amongst you with my wives."
Mercy is something innate, which Allaah has placed into the hearts of (all) His creatures, even the lions, the most dangerous of them, for they are merciful to their children. Yet Allaah is more merciful to His creation than a mother is to her child. That is why on the day that He created mercy, He created one hundred parts to it. And He left ninety-nine parts with Him, by which He will show mercy to His servants on the Day of Judgement, and sent down one single part of mercy to earth, which humans and animals share amongst themselves.
The Messenger of Allaah (sala Allahu alihi was-Salaam) has condemned the person that is void of any mercy and who doesnt attain a large amount of it. This is why he (sala Allahu `alihi was-Salaam) condemned the one who breaks family ties. He (sala Allahu alihi was- Salaam) said:
"Kinship is connected to the Throne (Arsh). It says: `Whoever severs me, then break (away from) him. And whoever maintains me, then keep connected to him."
And in one narration:
"Verily, the kinship will be connected to the Throne of the Most Merciful on the Day of Judgement. It will say: This is the place for the one who sought refuge in You from the severing (of family ties). So Allaah will say to it: Will it please you that I connect those who maintained you and that I cut off those who severed you? And it will say: `I will be pleased (with that), my Lord."
And he (sala Allahu alihi was-Salaam) condemned the oppressive leaders who do not show mercy to their people.