SECOND REMINDER. Yaumul Ithnayn, 9th day of RAJAB (Monday 26th March). ISLAM IS A MERCY FOR THE ENTIRE CREATION, EVEN TO ENEMIES OF ISLAM. BismilLaahir Rahmaanir Raheem. Let's continue from the first reminder; Not only should we be merciful to human beings, but we also need to be merciful to the animals, trees etc. All of Allah’s creatures have rights in Islam, humans, trees and animals, so it is the duty of Muslims to uphold, and protect their natural rights. Abu Huraira reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said: Once a man suffered from thirst while he was walking on a journey. When he found a well, he climbed down into it and drank from it. Then he came out and saw a dog lolling its tongue from thirst and licking the ground. The man said: this dog has suffered thirst just as I have suffered from it. So he climbed down into the well, filled his shoe with water, and caught it in his mouth as he climbed up; then he gave the dog a drink. Allah appreciated this deed and so He forgave him. It was said, “O Messenger of Allah, is there a reward for charity even for the animals?” He said: فِي كُلِّ كَبِدٍ رَطْبَةٍ أَجْرٌ In every living being there is a reward for charity. Source: Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī 5663. The only way we can secure mercy for our own selves on the Day of Judgment is to be merciful to the creation. Allah is not merciful in the Hereafter to those who are not merciful to people and to his creatures. The Prophet Muhammad sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam applied the teachings of divine mercy throughout his entire life, even to his enemies and oppressors. On one occasion, the companions asked the Prophet to pray against his enemies who had been persecuting them for years, even raising an army against them and killing their innocents. Even so, the Prophet refused to pray against his enemies as it would have contradicted the message of mercy. Abu Huraira reported: The Prophet was told, “O Messenger of Allah, pray against the idolaters!” The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said: إِنِّي لَمْ أُبْعَثْ لَعَّانًا وَإِنَّمَا بُعِثْتُ رَحْمَةً Verily, I was not sent to invoke curses, but rather I was only sent as a mercy. Source: Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim 2599. Perhaps the most famous example of the Prophet’s mercy was the forgiveness he showed his enemies after he finally had power over them. The Quraish tribal aristocracy had persecuted the Muslims for nearly twenty-three years only because they chose to worship Allah instead of the idols. They mocked the Muslims, threatened them, tortured them, punished them with an economic boycott, and even raise arms against them after they fled to Medina. They killed Hamza the Prophet’s uncle, mutilated his corpse, and unjustifiably killed many other Muslims. Despite all of this, the Prophet was able to win the hearts and minds of the Arabs and he finally gained power over the Quraish when the city of Mecca surrendered. Rather than taking revenge, the Prophet forgave his enemies and declared it to be a day of mercy. Allahu Akbar. May Allah keep guiding us all and protect us from any satanic influences. Aameen.