Show kindness towards animals out of compassion or mercy rather than expecting something in return or doing them out of obligation or duty only .

This hadith is about how serving animals can bring rewards from Allah. It tells the story of a man who was walking on a road when he became very thirsty. He found a well, drank some of its water, and then noticed that there was also an animal in need of water - a dog that was panting and licking mud due to its thirst. The man felt compassion for the animal's plight so he went back down into the well again to fill his shoe with water so he could give it to the dog. When Allah saw this act of kindness towards an animal in need, He thanked him for it by forgiving him for any wrongdoings he may have committed before this moment. This hadith teaches us that even small acts of kindness towards animals can be rewarded by Allah if we do them out of compassion or mercy rather than expecting something in return or doing them out of obligation or duty only.