How can the verse "And We have not sent you forth but as a mercy to all beings" be reconciled with extracting oud perfume by killing trees, and obtaining ambergris by killing deer for luxury, and is it permissible to eat their meat if they were killed for perfume, and do these actions fall under harming animals and plants or benefiting from them?

Firstly: Allah sent the Prophet (peace be upon him) as a "mercy to the worlds." The common understanding among interpreters is that "the worlds" refers to all intelligent beings, humans and jinn, both believers and disbelievers. Believers were guided by him, while disbelievers were spared the immediate afflictions that used to befall rejecting nations. Some interpreters believe that it also includes non-intelligent living creatures, as Islamic law relates to the treatment of animals by humans. The Sharia permitted benefiting from animals that provide benefit and forbade benefiting from others, and it encouraged showing mercy to animals.

Secondly: The mercy of Islam towards creatures is an undeniable truth, but it must be understood correctly: 1. Allah created human bodies in the best form to bear the trust of religion, and permitted them what strengthens them from food and drink, and placed these benefits in plants and animals. These things were created in a way that suits the wisdom of creation without compromising the aspect of mercy. Some foods have no soul and do not feel pain, like plants. Animals have a soul that feels pain and fear, but they do not have intellect. 2. Allah forbade killing animals except for a legitimate need, and legislated killing them when necessary in the most merciful way, such as sharpening the knife and giving rest to the slaughtered animal.

Therefore, benefiting from permissible plants and animals according to Sharia rulings does not contradict mercy.

Thirdly: Hunting by a non-Muslim hunter: The majority of scholars permit eating game hunted by a People of the Book (Jewish or Christian) hunter, but not game hunted by non-People of the Book such as polytheists and apostates.

In conclusion: There is no harm in engaging in the trade of perfumes extracted from animals in a way that is permitted by Sharia. Benefiting from plants or animals in a Sharia-compliant manner does not contradict the aspect of mercy.