The Boundless Mercy of Allah
Allah is Ar-Rahman and Ar-Rahim. He is the Most Gracious and the Most Merciful. Nothing in this world can compare to Allah’s (s.w.t.) infinite mercy. His mercy is present in every part of our lives, from the time of birth until our reunion with Him. The mercy of Allah has been repeatedly emphasised in the Qur’an and through the teachings of Islam.
The Essence of Allah’s Mercy
One of the most beautiful aspects of Allah’s mercy is its inclusivity. Allah’s mercy is not limited; it extends to all of His creation.
قَالَ رَبِّ إِنِّى ظَلَمْتُ نَفْسِى فَٱغْفِرْ لِى فَغَفَرَ لَهُۥٓ ۚ إِنَّهُۥ هُوَ ٱلْغَفُورُ ٱلرَّحِيمُ (١٦)
He said, “My Lord, indeed I have wronged myself, so forgive me,” and He forgave him. Indeed, He is the Forgiving, the Merciful.
(Al-Qasas, 28:16)
The essence of Allah’s mercy is summed up in this verse, which highlights His willingness to pardon people who truly repent and ask for forgiveness. The pleadings of Prophet Musa (a.s.) demonstrate the effectiveness of genuine repentance. The first step in asking Allah for mercy is to own up to one’s mistakes.
And Allah’s immediate response to Musa’s plea is a profound demonstration of His mercy. It shows that Allah’s forgiveness is not conditional or delayed. When a servant turns to Him with sincerity, Allah’s mercy envelops them instantly.
This verse beautifully shows that Allah’s kindness is always accessible, regardless of the severity of our mistakes. He encourages us to turn to Him in repentance, and His forgiveness is evidence of His exceptional mercy.
Allah’s Mercy in Our Lives
Allah’s kindness is indicated in our daily lives in plenty of ways. The food we eat, the love we feel, and the air we breathe are all evidence of His mercy. We can find comfort and hope in His mercy, even during our lowest points. His mercy is what keeps us going through hardship and strengthens our hearts when we face hardships and difficulties.
“Allah is Most Merciful even when He sends us trials, for even His punishment is for our own good.”
— Dr. Omar Suleiman
Allah’s forgiveness is one of the most significant ways we feel His mercy. We have learned from the Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.) that Allah’s mercy exceeds His anger. Abu Hurairah (r.a.) narrated that the Messenger of Allah (s.w.t) said:
“Verily, Allah when He created the creation, He wrote with His Hand concerning Himself, that:
‘My mercy prevails over My wrath.’”
(Hadith sahih: Jami’ at-Tirmidhi, 3543)
Seeking the Mercy of Allah
Allah’s mercy knows no bounds and reaches every aspect of our lives. We find comfort in difficult times and guidance when we are lost because of His mercy. The Qur’an never stops reminding us of Allah’s boundless mercy, as Surah Al-Qasas 28:16 demonstrates. This verse captures the essence of confessing our sins to Allah and asking for His eternal forgiveness. Not only does His kindness provide us with safety, but it also gives us the courage to face life’s obstacles head-on with renewed faith and courage.
We must approach Allah in humility and sincerity, realising that His compassion outweighs our sins and mistakes, if we are to genuinely seek His mercy. It involves developing an awareness of His presence and a persistent desire to connect with Him by du’a‘, repentance, and good deeds. Accepting Allah’s kindness entails realising that His doors are always open for us to return, regardless of how far we may wander.
This act of divine mercy encourages us to live lives based on morality and spirituality by fostering a profound sense of calm and optimism. Seeking the mercy of Allah not only leads to enlightenment but also places us on a road of ongoing spiritual development and fulfilment.
Embracing Allah’s Mercy
Embracing Allah’s mercy means confessing our sins and coming to Him in earnest repentance. It involves acting with kindness, compassion, and forgiveness in our interactions with other people. As we navigate the difficulties of life, let us keep in mind that Allah’s kindness is always available to us and always prepared to encompass us in its boundless embrace.
In conclusion, a fundamental aspect of Islam is the mercy of Allah, which gives Muslims reassurance, guidance, and hope. We can deepen our faith and make an effort to live compassionate lives by reflecting on His kindness. May we constantly turn to Allah, Ar-Rahman and Ar-Rahim, for His comfort and infinite mercy.
My Lord is with Me by Dr. Omar Suleiman
This post was drafted after the reading of Dr. Omar Suleiman’s new book, My Lord is with Me. Reading the book was an eye-opening journey. From the book, we can learn about Prophet Musa’s (a.s.) struggles during his life and how Allah’s mercy encompasses him. We can also learn the best way to make du’a’, aside from learning of Musa’s (a.s.) du’a‘, which is also one of the most recorded du’a’ in the Qur’an. This book is highly recommended to fellow Muslim brothers and sisters that are looking to improve their relationship with Allah (s.w.t.). Grab the book now while it’s still available!
