Hope desire accompanied by expectation of or belief in fulfillment.Trials and tribulations are the gateways to Paradise. The things of this world, only good deeds matter in the sight of Allah. After a difficulty, Allah will soon grant relief. No matter what we are going through, Islam teaches us to simply trust Him, and He will be enough for us. Again, He knows, while we know not. And once we submit to this reality, the bumpy road ahead in the future will look a lot smooth. Allah says:
وَهَٰذَا كِتَابٌ أَنزَلْنَاهُ مُبَارَكٌ فَاتَّبِعُوهُ وَاتَّقُوا لَعَلَّكُمْ تُرْحَمُونَ
“And this (is) a Book We have revealed it – blessed, so follow it and consciously revere (Allah) so that you may receive mercy.” (Surah Al-An`am 6:155)
Allah reminds all His sinful slaves that no matter what sins they have fallen into, Allah can still forgive them. The Quran was sent as a book of hope for humanity. Allah created each of us as weak sinners. He knows every human will make mistakes. Some will make bigger mistakes than others. Some may even fall into major sins. But Allah does not want any of us to ever lose hope in His Mercy, no matter what sins we have committed. Allah says:
يَـٰبَنِىَّ ٱذۡهَبُواْ فَتَحَسَّسُواْ مِن يُوسُفَ وَأَخِيهِ وَلَا تَاْيۡـَٔسُواْ مِن رَّوۡحِ ٱللَّهِۖ إِنَّهُ ۥ لَا يَاْيۡـَٔسُ مِن رَّوۡحِ ٱللَّهِ إِلَّا ٱلۡقَوۡمُ ٱلۡكَـٰفِرُونَ
“And never give up hope of Allah’s Mercy. Certainly, no one despairs of Allah’s Mercy, except the people who disbelieve.” (Surah Yusuf 12:87)
Sin harms our own souls in both worlds. In this world, sin causes inner turmoil and guilt. After death, it is the reason for severe punishment. This is why Allah describes sin as a transgression against our own souls. The devil wants us to despair of Allah’s Mercy as this will cause us to plunge deeper into sin and eventually disbelief. Remember that the devil’s goal isn’t to cause you to sin. His goal is to cause you to leave Islam. Encouraging sinful habits is a means towards achieving that goal. Allah says:
وَإِذَا جَاءَكَ الَّذِينَ يُؤْمِنُونَ بِآيَاتِنَا فَقُلْ سَلَامٌ عَلَيْكُمْ ۖ كَتَبَ رَبُّكُمْ عَلَىٰ نَفْسِهِ الرَّحْمَةَ
“When those come to you who believe in Our verses, say: Peace be upon you. Your Lord has decreed mercy upon Himself.” (Surah Al-An’am 6:54)
The believer calls on Allah in fear and hope: fear of His displeasure, and hope in His mercy and approval of us. As a Muslim, never lose hope in the mercy of Allah. No matter what your situation is right now, whether you are super pious or are drowning in a pool of sins, never stop drawing towards your Maker, even if it’s by just one baby-step at a time. His door is always open for you; just take those first steps. A Muslim is to think better of Allah.
Here are some reasons, do not be sad, never lose hope of Allah’s Mercy:
- Mercy deeds our fellowmen with various temporal goods
- Mercy speaks about the sentence at the last judgment
- Mercy sceptre shows the force of temporal power
- Mercy practice in the Holy Scripture assures
- Mercy regaining our lost graces of sanctity
- Mercy both temporal and eternal goods
- Mercy also brings an immortal reward
- Mercy is an attribute to God himself
- Mercy develops seasons of justice
- Mercy is the attribute and majesty
- Mercy cleanses us from our sins
- Mercy is above the sceptred sway
- Mercy is the dread and fear of kings
- Mercy obtains for us graces and light
- Mercy becomes better than his crown
- Mercy is the mightiest in the mightiest
- Mercy always saves our soul from evils
- Mercy is enthronèd in the hearts of kings
- Mercy droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven
- Mercy treasure to lay up than any store of gold
- Mercy is in need of the special grace of forgiveness
Allah never wants us to despair, because hope is the path that keeps bringing us back to Allah. If Allah can forgive the greatest sin, He can forgive your sins too. The concept of hope in the Mercy of Allah, for some who are mistaken in this issue, rely completely upon the hope that Allah will forgive their sins without even intending to refrain from evil deeds. Allah says:
وَلَيۡسَتِ ٱلتَّوۡبَةُ لِلَّذِينَ يَعۡمَلُونَ ٱلسَّيِّـَٔاتِ حَتَّىٰٓ إِذَا حَضَرَ أَحَدَهُمُ ٱلۡمَوۡتُ قَالَ إِنِّى تُبۡتُ ٱلۡـَٔـٰنَ
“And of no effect is the repentance of those who continue to do evil until death faces one of them and he says: ‘Now I repent.’” (Surah an-Nisa 4:18)
Allah reminds us that He is Most Merciful, Most Forgiving. Allah wants us to repent and hope for His Mercy. He is Most Forgiving, Most Merciful and He forgives any sin when you sincerely repent. So, never hesitate to raise your hands in repentance and experience Allah’s Mercy. Quran will light our way and lighten our burdens. It is a source of solace and ease. It is a mercy to humankind. Allah says:
قَالَ رَبِّ اغْفِرْ لِي وَلِأَخِي وَأَدْخِلْنَا فِي رَحْمَتِكَ وَأَنتَ أَرْحَمُ الرَّاحِمِينَ
“O, my Lord! Forgive me and my brother and admit us into Your Mercy, for You (are) the Most Merciful (of) the merciful.” (Surah Al-A`raf 7:15
Hope in the Mercy of Allah should be accompanied by regret and remorse of the heart upon the sins committed, sincerity, hastening in repentance and avoiding sins as is clearly manifest from the following verses of the Quran. Losing hope means letting than win the game. When Adam disobeyed his lord he didn’t lose hope in the mercy of Allah and that’s why Allah the most forgiving forgave him. Hope is faith in Allah and the hereafter. Allah says:
وَمَن يَعۡمَلۡ سُوٓءًا أَوۡ يَظۡلِمۡ نَفۡسَهُ ۥ ثُمَّ يَسۡتَغۡفِرِ ٱللَّهَ يَجِدِ ٱللَّهَ غَفُورً۬ا رَّحِيمً۬ا
“And whosoever does evil or wrongs himself but afterwards seeks Allah’s forgiveness, he will find Allah Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.” (Surah an-Nisa 4:110)
Hopeless is the only word used by the ‘unbelievers’ when they become hopeless. They become hopeless when they will taste the rewards of their deeds, they will say “We’re hopeless now!” A true believer has put their trust in Allah and they will endure difficulties with patience and they believe that their reward and punishment are only with Allah and no one can better give you the best results of your deeds except Allah. Allah Helps you every moment of your life and even thereafter. Allah says:
يَـٰٓأَيُّہَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ تُوبُوٓاْ إِلَى ٱللَّهِ تَوۡبَةً۬ نَّصُوحًا
“O you who believe! Turn to Allah with sincere repentance.” (Surah Tahrim 66:8)
Despite all of these he did never lose his hope in Allah, He kept teaching people about the right path. Allah gave success to Mohammad and His companion in the end. If you’re fighting with difficulties remember Allah and be patient for Allah is with the patient. Be grateful to Allah for whatever you have. If you’re going through difficulties help the needy people if you can, feed the hunger, visit the sick – be patient and remember Allah so He will remember you as well.
Quran to believers to not lose hope in Allah’s Mercy:
- “And My Mercy encompasses everything.” (Quran 7:156)
- “…After a difficulty, Allah will soon grant relief.” (Quran 65:7)
- “Obey Allah and the Messenger that you may obtain mercy.” (Quran 3:132)
- “Surely Allah is Most Gentle, Ever Compassionate to people.” (Quran 22:65)
- “God is with you and will never deprive you of your (good) deeds.” (Quran 47:35)
- “And We have not sent you (O Muhammad) except as a mercy to the worlds.” (Quran 21:107)
- “Therefore, treat not the orphan with oppression. And do not repel the beggar.” (Quran 93: 9-10)
- “Certainly, no one despairs of Allah’ s Mercy, except the people who disbelieve.” (Quran 12: 87)
None of us has the power to know the future. We may be blessed with sufficient wealth, love, resources and talent to last us two lifetimes, but we keep asking for more. Stay strong, everyone goes through rough times in their life. Keep doing the things that are right. Keep working hard because that’s the only thing that will pull you out of your situation. Don’t trust people blindly. Don’t waste your resources on the people who are only takers. Allah says:
وَقُل رَّبِّ اغْفِرْ وَارْحَمْ وَأَنتَ خَيْرُ الرَّاحِمِينَ
“And say, “My Lord! Forgive and have mercy, and You (are the) Best (of) those who show.” (Surah Al-Muminun 23:118)
Allah loves his superior creation human hundreds of times more than a Mother loves his child. Allah’s blessings are for everyone in this world even for those who don’t follow or believe in Him. Keep helping people in your own capacity you will always get the blessings in return. Remember everything happens for a reason sometimes we are not able to understand why but definitely God will show you the right way and also protect you if you have faith in him. Allah says:
وَإِن تَعُدُّوا نِعْمَةَ اللَّهِ لَا تُحْصُوهَا إِنَّ اللَّهَ لَغَفُورٌ رَّحِيمٌ
“And if you should count the Favors of Allah, not you could enumerate Indeed, Allah (is) Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.” (Surah An-Nahl 16:18)
Life for a believer (Muslim) is like an exam. This life is very short and temporary, after this life, a new life will start in which everyone will be rewarded according to his or her deeds and religion in this world. Everyone is accountable and will be asked how you spent your life, your hands, eyes every body part will speak and tell to his Creator what sins have he or she done by using us. Be happy no matter what situation are you in and thank God. Allah says:
وَمَا أَرْسَلْنَاكَ إِلَّا رَحْمَةً لِّلْعَالَمِينَ
“We have not sent you except as a mercy to the worlds.” (Surat al-Anbiya 21:107)
Allah tests those whom He loves, but Allah has also made this very clear that not only Muslims but every human being will be put through trials and tribulations. Human beings will go through pain and hardships regardless of their faith and closeness to Allah. Whether we are good or bad, rich or poor, popular or unknown, educated or uneducated, ugly or beautiful, we cannot escape problems. Difficulties, in a way, are a sign that we are alive and moving. Allah is most merciful. He loves His creatures more than seventy mothers. Allah says:
ثُمَّ كَانَ مِنَ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَتَوَاصَوْا بِالصَّبْرِ وَتَوَاصَوْا بِالْمَرْحَمَةِ
“Then he was among those who had faith and advised one another to patience and advised one another to mercy.” (Surat al-Balad 90:17)
Allah promises us that after every difficulty is relief. We must never lose hope that our situation will improve. Losing hope in Allah’s mercy is likened to disbelieving in Allah. The true foundation of hope is the good that we do in this life. The path to paradise involves trials and difficulties. But never lose hope! It is just a test. Waking up to pray to Allah when we are tired is a sure sign of our hope in Allah’s reward. Allah forgives all sins except that of associating partners with Him.
