الأدب المفرد · Hadith 512

Usama ibn Zayd reported that a child of one of the daughters of the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, was very ill. His mother sent word to the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, to say that her child was dying. He told the messenger, "Go and tell her that to Allah belongs what He takes and what He gives. Everything is with Him until a stated term. She should be patient and leave him to Allah." The messenger went back and told her. She sent to him again to plead with him to come. The Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, got up with a group of his Companions, including Sa'd ibn 'Ubada. The Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, took the child and put him on his breast. The child was shaking like a leaf against his chest. The Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, wept and Sa'd said, "Do you weep, Messenger of Allah?" He replied, "I weep out of compassion for the child. Allah only shows mercy to those of His slaves who are merciful."

Translated by Dr. Muhammad Muhsin Khan · Reviewed by Islamic University of Madinah · Published March 2020