Sayyidi Mawlana Mohammad Taqi Usmani said,

My Shaykh Dr. ‘Arifi (may Allah have mercy on him) used to tell us that anyone claiming to love Allah can not be truthful is his claim unless he loves His creation also.

It is as if Allah says that how is it possible for you to love Me? If you really do so then love my creation. Be merciful, caring and kind to them. This will declare that you love Me.

You heard Mr. President (of Darul Uloom, Mufti Rafi’i Usmani )[may Allah preserve him] last week at the commencement of Hadith study session narrating the hadith – also known as musalsal bil awaliya, that is the first hadith conveyed by a scholar to their students. The Prophet (Allah bless and give him peace) said, “The merciful are shown mercy by the All-Merciful, تبارك و تعالى. Be merciful to those on earth and the Lord of the Heavens will be merciful to you.”

This was the very first lesson given to a student of religion. The lesson of mercy, kindness and care to all the creation.

ِAnd remember (if you can not be of benefit to them then)the most miniscule display of this mercy, kindness and care is by not harming them in any form.”

Weekly bayan, 3rd November 2007