nor should any harm issue from you—neither toward him nor toward anyone else. Among people there are some from whom nothing emerges but harm; others from whom both harm and good emanate; and yet others from whom only good proceeds—and such a person occupies the highest rank.

Bestowing good upon people and withholding harm from them is ihsan toward them, as in His saying: “And do good; for Allah loves the doers of good” [al-Baqarah: 195].

This ihsan even extends to animals: you must provide them with what they need, keep harm away from them, and treat them gently—this is ihsan toward beasts. Even one who deserves death must not be tortured; rather, he is to be killed in a manner that is good and relieving. Whoever is subject to retribution (qisas) or to a prescribed penalty (hadd) is to have it carried out with kindness—no mutilation, no torture, no lingering death.

The Prophet ﷺ said: “Allah has prescribed ihsan in every matter; so when you kill, kill well, and when you slaughter, slaughter well.” This applies in qisas and in every case where a hadd is due.

Thus, when he said “and when you slaughter,” that is, when you slaughter animals that are lawful to eat, then perfect the slaughter: “Let one of you sharpen his blade and give relief to his animal.” Ihsan therefore reaches even the beasts.

Allah once forgave a prostitute from the Children of Israel because she gave water to a dog that she saw panting with thirst. She offered it water; Allah thanked her for that act and therefore forgave her.