Unchaste Women granted forgiveness for giving water to a thirsty Dog.

Muhammad (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam) was pleased to say that an unchaste woman was granted Divine pardon for a simple act: she saw a dog standing beside a well with its tongue hanging out due to severe thirst, as if about to die; so she took off her shoe, tied it to her shawl and lowered it into the well to draw water, which she gave to the dog to drink. Someone asked Rasulullah Sallallaho alaihe wasallam whether they would receive reward for being kind to the animals. The reply was that there was reward for being kind to any living thing. (Muslim or non -Muslim, man or animal). Note: This is the story of a lewd woman of Bani Israel, of which various versions exist. (Kanz). A similar incident has also been narrated by Rasulullah Sallallaho alaihe wasallam about a man who was travelling through a jungle. He felt very thirsty and climbed down a well for a drink. When he climbed back to the surface, he saw a thirs ty dog rubbing its mouth in the mud, feeling uneasy for want of water. The man realised that the dog was suffering from thirst, in the way he himself did, before he had taken the drink of water. Finding nothing with which to draw water, he took of his shoe and climbed down the well, filled his shoe with water and climbed up, using both his hands and holding the shoe in his mouth. He gave the water to the dog to drink. Allah Taala graciously pardoned all his sins. The Sahabah Radhiallaho anhum asked if ther e was a reward for being good to the animals. Rasulullah Sallallaho alaihe wasallam replied in the affirmative, saying that it applied to all the living beings. (Bukhari). The story No. 47 at the end of this book is about a tyrant who gave shelter to a dog suffering from scabies. Allah Taala looked upon this act with kind approval. Since both these Ahadith indicate high rewards for being kind even to a lowly animal, the extent of rewards for showing kindness to a human being, the noblest of creation, is be yond comprehension. Certain Ulama have expressed the view that creatures like snakes and scorpions, the killing of which is a good deed, are excluded from the living beings referred to above. Some other scholars maintain that even such animals, if thirsty, should not be deprived of a drink. Muslims are ordered that, if and when any living being is to be killed, a proper decorum has to be maintained and mutilation after killing is forbidden. (Fatah). From the above two Ahadith and many others a delicate poin t becomes evident: if and when Allah Taala is pleased with the sincerity of a single act of a person, this can get him a pardon for a life of sins. The kindness and favour of Allah Taala are boundless compared with the small action done by a man. The crux of the matter is to win the acceptance and pleasure of Allah Taala. It is not to be taken for granted that the pardoning of all sins of an offender would be possible simply on giving someone water for drinking, or doing some other type of good

turn. Indeed, if it is of a standard to get the Divine approval, there may be no hindrance, but one must continue doing good deeds with all the sincerity and with the hope that Allah Taala may find these acceptable. Once that happens, one may find success assured. The important thing is sincerity of purpose: that is to do everything for the sake of Allah Taala, without any desire for worldly benefits, such as prosperous living, popularity among people or acquiring position or status, etc. If any of these things become part of the purpose, the whole effort would be wasted. The smallest good deed, if done for Allahs pleasure, assumes a weight far more than that of a mountain. Luqman Alaihissalam advised his son to give something as Sadaqah, when he happened to commit a sin, because it washes away the sin and removes the displeasure of Allah Taala. (Ihya).