14/425 — ʿAbdullāh ibn ʿAmr ibn al-ʿĀṣ (may Allah be pleased with them both) reported that the Prophet recited Allah’s words about Abraham: “My Lord, they have indeed led many people astray; so whoever follows me is truly of me” (Ibrāhīm 14:36), and the words of Jesus: “If You punish them, they are Your servants; but if You forgive them, indeed You—only You—are the Almighty, the All-Wise” (al-Māʾidah 5:118). Then he raised his hands and said, “O Allah, my community, my community,” and he wept. Allah said, “O Gabriel, go to Muhammad—though your Lord knows best—and ask him what makes him weep.” Gabriel came to him, and the Messenger of Allah told him what he had said, though Allah already knew. Allah said, “O Gabriel, go back to Muhammad and tell him: We shall satisfy you concerning your community, and We shall never distress you.” Reported by Muslim.

[Commentary]
These hadiths belong to the chapter on hope (rajāʾ). The compiler (may Allah have mercy on him) has cited many of them. Among their lessons is that Allah is more merciful to His servants than a mother is to her child. The proof is the story of the woman taken among the captives: when she spotted an infant, she clasped him to her chest and nursed him. The Prophet said, “Do you think this woman would cast her child into the Fire?” They replied, “No.” He said, “Allah is more merciful to His servants than this woman is to her child.” This reflects the completeness of His mercy.

The signs of that mercy are abundant—among them the unceasing favors that reach us, the greatest of which is the blessing of Islam. Allah has left whole nations astray from Islam, yet He guided His believing servants to it; and that is the supreme blessing.