Mercy of God
The Quran indeed informs us that Allah's mercy dominates everything else:
My mercy enfolds everything. (7: 156)
The very beginning of the Quran mentions two names of God Almighty: al-Rahman and al-Rahim, both describing the profoundness of His mercy. If one were to find the thematic link between the first two verses of Surah al-Rahman, it emerges quite clearly that the decision of sending down the Divine Revelation also owes entirely to His attribute of mercy. It says:
The Gracious God; He taught the Quran. (55:1-2)
The Quran has, however, clarified another point as well: that the people who are really worthy of being treated compassionately by the Gracious God are those who as a consequence of their correct attitude are found deserving of it.
The blessing of Allah is at hand for those who do good. (7:56)
On another occasion it has been clarified by the Quran that the mercy of Allah has in fact been laid down for the God-conscious followers of the Prophets:
... My mercy enfolds everything. I shall enjoin it for those who ward off (evil) and pay the Zakat and believe in Our signs . Those who follow the messenger ... (7:156-7)
It is the same mercy which has been referred to by the Almighty while urging His servants who continue to be engulfed in sins not to give up hope, since such people tread the line of sin only because they have lost hope in Allah's mercy; therefore, they have been comforted by being informed that Allah can forgive all sins provided man ensures serious attempts at correction of his attitude:
Say: O my servants who have sinned against their souls, despair not of the mercy of Allah. Surely, Allah forgives all sins. Indeed, He is Most Forgiving, Ever Merciful. And turn to your Lord and submit yourselves to Him, before there comes unto you the punishment; for then you shall not be helped. And follow the best Teaching that has been revealed to you from your Lord, before the punishment comes upon you suddenly, while you perceive not. (39:53-55)
These verses show beyond doubt that if a person wants himself to be regarded as deserving of the mercy of the Almighty, it is imperative that he should incline himself towards Allah and correct his attitude. It is noticeable that even after the emotionally moving mention of His mercifulness, Allah has still warned those who are not obedient to Him of grave consequences. This shows beyond doubt the fact that only those people deserve Allah's mercy who show through their conduct that they are genuinely looking for it and are not just pretending.
…Continued in Part 3
No comments:
Post a Comment