Explanation of the Chapter

The Shaykh : The author now comes to a chapter—also specific to the previous chapter—titled "The Chapter on Showing Mercy to Children." The following chapter is specific to animals. He says—may Allah have mercy on him—al-Bukhari: "The Chapter on Showing Mercy to Animals." He narrates a hadith in which the virtue of this mercy, which settles in the heart of the merciful person even toward animals, is made apparent. The virtue of this mercy in this person reaches the degree that Allah—Mighty and Majestic—forgives his sin, no matter how great it is, for his mercy toward an animal. And this animal is not necessarily one that I would call noble or praiseworthy, but at least it is not an animal that is excluded from the company of Muslims. What is this animal? The dog. That is because the Messenger—peace be upon him—said in more than one hadith: As for the dog, it is not permissible to keep it, nor is it permissible to bring it into a Muslim's house, except out of dire necessity for guarding a house, guarding sheep, or for hunting; this is an exception. As for the original ruling, it is as you heard just now: If a person shows mercy to this dog, Allah connects him with His mercy through a thread of what Allah—Blessed and Exalted is He—has created.