From this we derive a rule: whenever the Messenger ﷺ relates to us a story about the Children of Israel, it is so that we may take heed and draw a lesson from it—just as Allah says, “Indeed, in their stories there is a lesson for those of sound understanding” (Yūsuf 111).

In another report—perhaps concerning a different incident—a woman who was a prostitute from the Children of Israel, that is, one who practiced fornication (Allah’s refuge is sought), saw a dog circling a cistern (rakiyya), going round it in thirst yet unable to reach the water because it was a deep well. She removed her khuff (leather sock), drew water for the dog from the well with it, and Allah forgave her.

This shows that kindness to animals earns reward. Any animal to which you do good—by giving it water, feeding it, shielding it from heat, or protecting it from cold—whether it belongs to you, to someone else, or is ownerless livestock, brings you a reward with Allah. If such is the case with animals, then how much greater is the reward when you show kindness to human beings! Goodness toward people is weightier and far more rewarding.

For this reason the Prophet ﷺ said, “Whoever gives a thirsty Muslim a drink, Allah will give him to drink of the sealed nectar.” Imagine your young child standing by the water cooler saying, “I want water,” and you quench his thirst; you have given a Muslim a drink when he was thirsty, and Allah will give you to drink of the sealed nectar. An abundant reward—praise be to Allah—easy spoils indeed.