Allah’s mercy is boundless. It is there for us to ask and for Allah to give it to us if he chooses to shower it on us. As humans, we tend to commit a lot of mistakes but if those mistakes and sins are done in ignorance and not with the intention to willfully ignore Allah’s commands, Allah may forgive us out of His mercy on us. Islam is a faith that is flexible, lenient and merciful. 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)
Allah is the Most Gracious and the Most Merciful, His mercy encompasses all things and is the source of all the compassion and mercy that exists. The Mercy of Allah is that ethereal quality that also embodies gentleness, care, consideration, love and forgiveness. When these qualities are observable in this world, they are a mere reflection of Allah’s mercy towards His creation.
لَقَدْ جَاءكُمْ رَسُولٌ مِّنْ أَنفُسِكُمْ عَزِيزٌ عَلَيْهِ مَا عَنِتُّمْ حَرِيصٌ عَلَيْكُم بِالْمُؤْمِنِينَ رَؤُوفٌ رَّحِيمٌ
“There has certainly come to you a Messenger from among yourselves. Grievous to him is what you suffer; [he is] concerned over you [i.e., your guidance] and to the believers is kind and merciful.” (Quran: 9:128)
Allah sent Prophets and Messengers to guide us and help us to remain on His straight path leading to eternal Paradise. Allah sent Prophet Muhammad to all of humankind with a message suitable for all people, in all places, at all times. Allah describes the Prophet as mercy upon humankind.
The Need and Importance 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
- God’s mercy is so complete that He forgives us for our sins
However, we run the risk of losing Allah’s mercy when we are arrogant toward His teachings. Let us ensure, therefore, that we are constantly striving to perform deeds that are deserving of His mercy. We should also be steadfast and sincere in asking for His mercy in our supplications and Duas. “Mercy for Mankind” represents the love of God for all people. 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)
Throughout life, people continually receive Allah’s blessings, be it good health, sight, hearing, nourishment, clean air, children, wealth and countless others. Some use their God-given gifts of intelligence and reasoning to acknowledge these blessings, grasp the purpose of their existence, and hereby submit themselves to Allah. Others, however, do not appreciate the Mercy of Allah toward their own selves, even though He feeds and sustains them despite their disobedience toward Him. Allah says:
وَمَا أَرْسَلْنَاكَ إِلَّا رَحْمَةً لِّلْعَالَمِينَ
“We have not sent you except as a mercy to the worlds.” (Surat al-Anbiya 21:107)
Islam teaches us to be merciful to the entire creation, to Muslims and non-Muslims, to friends and enemies and even to the animals. Muslims are encouraged to have hope of reward for good deeds while being concerned about sins they may perform. When they commit sins, they repent sincerely and are hopeful of being forgiven.
Allah, the Exalted, says in the Holy Quran:
- “And My Mercy encompasses everything.” (Quran 7:156)
- “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)
- “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)
- “And this is a blessed Book We have revealed; therefore follow it and protect yourself (against evil), that mercy may be shown to you.” (Quran 6:155)
- “Keep up prayer and pay the compulsory charity (to the needy) and obey the Messenger, so that mercy may be shown to you.” (Quran 24:56)
- “Our Lord! Make not our hearts to deviate after You have guided us aright, and grant us mercy from Yourself; surely You are the Bestower.” (Quran 3:8)
- “This day let no reproach be (cast) on you: Allah will forgive you, and He is the Most Merciful of those who show mercy!” (Surah Yusuf, 92)
- “Or that He may not call them to account by a process of slow wastage – for thy Lord is indeed full of kindness and mercy.” (Surah An-Nahl, 47)
- “And we have not sent you, [O Muhammad] except as a mercy for the entire humanity.” (Al Anbiya: 107)
God Almighty is full of love and kindness to His creation. All blessings and goodness in this world and the next are clear proofs of His Mercy. Indeed, Islam teaches that God is more merciful toward us than our own mothers. The creation of human beings and all their faculties is great mercy in itself. The fact that we can get out of bed, work, eat, play and sleep should make us grateful. 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)
Quran is Allah’s greatest gift to humanity – it is a book like no other. The Quran guides humankind to high standards of morality and exhorts them to strive to be the best human beings possible. Whenever life becomes too difficult or we are beset by injury, illness, or unhappiness, Quran will light our way and lighten our burdens. It is a source of solace and ease. It is a mercy to humankind.
