Mercy

In the name of Allah, the All-Merciful, the Ever-merciful.  All Prayers and Blessings of Allah are to our master, the noblest Prophet Muhammad.  We praise Allah, thank Him, and seek His help, guidance and forgiveness.  We seek refuge in Allah from the evil in our souls and the sinfulness of our deeds.  “Whomever Allah guides, then he is right-guided, and whomever He leads away into error, then you will never find for him a right-minded patron” (TMQ[1], 18:17).

Brothers and sisters, keep in mind that we discuss these morals so that we apply them practically in our lives.  Applying them will certainly help us lead better lives.  Imam Ibnul-Jawzi wrote in his book “Saydul-Khaatir” that thousands of people used to attend his lessons.  People used to tell him, "We did not sleep last night out of longing for the lesson."  He answered, "If you had truly benefited from the lesson, it should keep you up the night after it, not the night before it".

The moral we will talk about today is a truly precious one.  However, unfortunately, most people miss it.  Consequently, crimes spread, nuclear weapons were developed, and millions of people are being killed in a matter of seconds.  Today's moral is mercy; a moral that has recently been replaced by cruelty among the vast majority of people.

Getting to know what mercy is is not enough.  We all need to master practicing it.  If you are merciful during your lifetime, you will be treated mercifully on the Day of Judgment; even if you spent some time acting to be merciful (as a sort of training yourself), you will still be treated mercifully. 

The Prophet (SAWS)[2] said, “He who shows no mercy to the people, Allah, the Exalted and Glorious, does not show mercy to him.”[3]  

Hence, treat people mercifully, so that you deserve the mercy of Allah (SWT)[4], which you are greatly in need of.  Mercy grants you salvation on the Day of Judgment.  To know if Allah (SWT) will treat you mercifully on that day or not, ask yourself this question: “Am I truly merciful to others?”  Observe at this point the connection between being merciful to people in this world and Allah (SWT) being merciful to you on the Day of Judgment.  I’d like to draw your attention to the fact that morals are part and parcel of worship!  Note the strong relation between morals and religion.  See how Allah's mercy, on the Day of Judgment, is mainly a reward to those who have been merciful during their lifetime!

Allah’s (SWT) Mercy:

We start by talking about the mercy of Allah (SWT); a great subject that softens the hearts and causes angels to encompass us by their wings.  Mercy is originally one of the traits of Allah (SWT).  Hence, to learn to be merciful, one should first get to know how merciful Allah (SWT) is. 

Allah (SWT) says what can be translated as, “He has prescribed for Himself (the) mercy” (TMQ, 6:12).  Again the same meaning has been included in another ayah of the same Surah, Al-An'am, "Your Lord has prescribed for Himself (the) mercy…"  (TMQ, 6:54).  What do you feel when you read this ayah (verse) ?  You feel safe and sound that "mercy" is one of the original attributes of Allah (SWT), while "anger" is just a temporary result of our sins.  

Allah (SWT) says to the Prophet (SAWS) what can be translated as, “So, in case they cry you lies, then say, ‘Your Lord is The Owner of embracing mercy, and His violence will not be turned back from the criminal people,’” (TMQ, 6:147).  What does His mercy embrace?  The answer to this question comes in the following ayah, “…My mercy has embraced everything…” (TMQ, 7:156).

Now let us look around and observe the various signs of Allah's mercy in the whole universe.  A wonderful example of Allah’s mercy is the gradual succession of day and night.  They do not switch all of a sudden, but do so gradually.  Imagine if you are walking in bright daylight, and then suddenly, without a gradual sunset, you find yourself in extreme darkness!  You will certainly suffer from major nervous system disturbances.  Now, imagine the opposite; a sudden transition from night to bright daylight.  It results in the same shock.

Allah (SWT) describes this in the ayahs that can be translated as, “And by the night when it darkens, (Or: swarms).  And by the morning when it breathes.”  (TMQ, 81:17-18).  The word "breathes" describing the morning shows how smoothly and gradually the change from dark to light happens.  It happens bit by bit, in the same way man breathes.  Unfortunately, the signs of Allah's mercy are witnessed by everyone, yet, considered by no one.

Another sign of Allah's mercy is rain.  Allah (SWT) says what can be translated as, “And He is The (One) Who keeps sending down the succoring (rain) even after they have become despondent, and He spreads His mercy; and He is The Ever-Patronizing, The Ever-Praiseworthy,” (TMQ, 42:28).  Hence, rain is one of the methods by which Allah (SWT) spreads His mercy on earth.  In another ayah, Allah (SWT) says what can be translated as, “And He is (The One) Who sends the winds, bearing good tidings before (Literally: between the two hands of His mercy) His mercy…” (TMQ, 7:57).

Allah also says what can be translated as, “So look into the tracks of the mercy of Allah, how He gives life to the earth after its death…” (TMQ, 30:50).  Imagine what could happen if we were deprived from this sign of mercy, rainfall! 

In Surat Al-Waqi'ah, Allah says what can be translated as, “Have you then seen the water you drink?  Is it you who have sent it down from the rainy clouds or are We, Ever We, The Senders down?  If We had (so) decided, We would have made it bitter; so had you only thanked (Us)!” (TMQ, 56:68-70).  What if rainwater was salty, not fresh?  See how fresh water is one of the signs of His mercy and compassion.

Allah's mercy is also apparent in social relations.  He implanted mercy in parents' hearts.  Everywhere you find fathers and mothers showing mercy towards their children.  Moreover, and amazingly enough, animals too show mercy towards their offspring.  On the family level too, mercy shows up.  You find yourself automatically showing love to your uncle, aunt...etc.  Out of a hundred portions of mercy that Allah has, only one has been sent to earth which includes all the signs you see.  Meanwhile, Allah (SWT) has kept the remaning 99 portions.

We can also consider marriage as another proof of Allah's mercy.  He (SWT) is the one who brings two distant hearts together.  Allah (SWT) says, “And of His signs is that He created for you, of yourselves, spouses, that you (may) find rest in them, and he has made between you amity and mercy.  Surely in that are indeed signs for a people who meditate,” (TMQ, 30:21).  Hence, families are founded on mercy.  Unfortunately, spouses can deprive themselves from this mercy when they commit sins and disobey Allah's orders.

Moreover, Allah, the All-Merciful, does not punish us immediately for our sins.  On the contrary, He gives us many chances to repent.  Think about the whole course of your life; how many times you have sinned and He has been Merciful with you.  In Surat Al-Kahf, Allah says what can be translated as, “And your Lord is The Ever-Forgiving, The Owner of mercy.  If He should take them to task for what they have earned, He would (quickly) hasten for them the torment; no indeed, (but) they have an appointment, apart from which they will never find any safe retreat,” (TMQ, 18: 58).

If He was to punish you immediately for your sins, He would have never allowed you to listen to those very words I say now.  Though you have been disobedient to Him for years, He, the All-Merciful, allows you to attend today's lecture.  He even makes the angels witness your presence, and goes on saying, “O My Angels!  Before your eyes I bestow My forgiveness upon so and so”.  See how Merciful Allah is!  He forgives you for sins that your parents might not forgive for the rest of your life.  He gives you many chances to repent and listen to His words. 

Allah (SWT) says what can be translated as, “And had it not been for the Grace of Allah upon you and His mercy in the present (life) (Literally: the lowly “life”, i.e., the life of this world) and the Hereafter, indeed a tremendous torment would have touched you for what you press on (i.e., for what you press on talking about falsehood ‘ifk’)” (TMQ, 24:14).  He also says, “And had it not been for the Grace of Allah upon you and His mercy, in no way would any of you have been cleansed at all; but Allah cleanses whomever He decides, and Allah is Ever-Hearing, Ever-Knowing,”(TMQ, 24:21).  Besides, in Surat Ya-Seen, He says, “And in case We (so) decide, We drown them; then they will have no screaming, nor are they rescued.  Except as a mercy from Us and enjoyment for a while,” (TMQ, 36: 43-44).

Another important example of Allah's mercy is that He covers up your shortcomings and does not expose your sins to people.  What if every time you commit a sin it is written on your house?  What if sins had a bad odor that comes out of the sinner to scandalize him?  If so, I bet no one will stand his friend's stench.  Only Allah's mercy shields our sins from being publicized.  

At the time of Omar Ibnul-Khattab (RA), a man was caught for stealing.  Carried to Omar's place, the man went on crying, “I swear by Allah, it is the first time.”  "A liar you are", replied Omar, "Allah (SWT) never exposes a man the first time he sins."  Omar knew how truly Merciful Allah is.

Repentance itself, being an easily attained task, indicates how Merciful Allah is.  Allah (SWT) says what can be translated as, “Then Adam received (some) Words from his Lord; so He relented towards him; surely He, Ever He, is The Superbly Relenting, The Ever-Merciful,” (TMQ, 2:37).  After he had eaten from the tree which Allah had prohibited, Adam (AS)[5] regretted what he did.  However, he did not know how to repent.  Hence, Allah (SWT) revealed to him some words.  Upon saying those words, Allah would shower His forgiveness upon him.  Subhan Allah (Glorified be Allah)!  Though Adam had committed the sin, Allah, the All-Merciful, taught him how to repent.  What were those words that Allah revealed to Adam?  Allah said to Adam, “O Adam, say the following words, ‘Our Lord, we have done an injustice to ourselves; and in case You do not forgive us and have mercy on us, indeed we (both) will definitely be among the losers’” (TMQ, 7:23).

It is never amazing when a servant draws near his Lord.  However, it is amazing enough when a Lord draws near his servant by showering His mercy upon him.  Subhan Allah (Glorified be Allah)!

Sending messengers, revealing books and providing the Islamic law are surely signs of Allah's mercy.  Islamic law evidently signifies Allah's mercy.  Allah (SWT) says what can be translated as, " And this is a Book We have sent down, blessed; so follow it closely and be pious, that possibly you would be (granted) mercy"(TMQ, 6:155).  Hence, "Islamic law is all founded on mercy".  Everyone should memorize this statement by heart.  Never think that the Islamic Law is unjust.  However, some of you might say, “How is the Islamic law founded on mercy when it calls for cutting off the thief's hand, whipping the adulterer…etc.?”  They might even consider the Islamic prescribed laws as unjust when it is indeed another sign of Allah's mercy.  Those prescribed laws keep the muslim community safe from crimes.  Nowadays, when communities abandoned those laws, the rates of crimes and rape became much higher than ever.

Amazingly enough, the Day of Judgment is another sign of Allah's mercy.  Allah (SWT) says what can be translated as, “…He has prescribed for Himself (the) mercy.  Indeed He will definitely gather you to the Day of the Resurrection…” (TMQ, 6:12).  How can our gathering on the Day of Judgment be a sign of His mercy?  It is a sign of mercy as people are rewarded fairly, good ones are rewarded positively and sinners are punished. 

All Praise be to Allah for creating the Day of Judgment.  On that day, some people will be overwhelmed with happiness; they will look like travelers who have finally returned to their families after long journeys.  Those who strived in their lifetimes, those who suffered from injustice, those who fasted, those who performed their prayers regularly, those who prayed Qiyam (night prayer), ladies who have worn Hijab (Islamic Veil), those who kept their eyes away from the prohibited…etc; all will be, like travelers, overwhelmed with happiness.   

On the other hand, sinners who have strayed from Allah’s straight path will look like criminals who have managed to run away from prison for tens of years, and have now been caught.  See how differently people will appear on that day!  Indeed, the Day of Judgment is one of the signs of Allah's mercy.

Creating woman is another sign of Allah's mercy.  Being the All-Merciful, he created woman to be the source of passion in man's life.  Had not women been created, no passion or compassion would have existed on earth.  Evidences for my words are found in the story of Adam (AS), related by the Prophet (SAWS).  As he lived in paradise, Adam (AS) felt lonely.  Hence, Allah created Hawaa (Eve) while he was asleep.  When he woke up he asked her, “Who are you?  Why were you created?”  “I am Hawaa.  I was created so that you can find rest in me”, replied she.  Allah (SWT) clearly says, “…that you (may) find rest in them…” (TMQ, 30:21).  See how sacred the relationship between man and woman is!  See how Islam dignifies woman and considers her as man's sister!  There is, actually, no difference between man and woman in Islamic Law.

Sending us down to earth is also one of the signs of Allah's mercy.  "It would have been better if we were sent directly to paradise", most of us might think.  However, sending us down to earth is a sign of Allah's mercy.  As a matter of fact, the human self never feels satisfied with what it attains easily.  It quickly gets bored with it.  On the other hand, it admires whatever is attained with difficulty.

Consider the case of a father who strives all through his life to buy a car.  Surely, he will be careful when driving it.  Unlike the father is the son, who might indifferently smash it into pieces.  "Why are you angry, dad?  It is just a car!”, the boy will insensibly answer his father's anger.  Certainly the boy does not know the value of such a car, since he had not strived to buy it.

Hence, it is out of Allah's mercy that he sent us down to earth first; so that we long to paradise.  Similarly, one might spend 60 or 70 years on earth worshipping Allah though has never seen Him.  Hence, he longs to see Him.  People, who faithfully worship Allah during life, though they have never seen Him, are those who enjoy seeing Him the most, on the Day of Judgment.  This is because they have abandoned sins for the sake of seeing Him.  See how Merciful Allah is!

Added to all the above mentioned signs are afflictions; evident signs of Allah's mercy!  He sends you such afflictions, so that you feel uncomfortable in life and long to paradise.  He wants paradise, not life, to be the end you strive to reach.  Although it is quite troublesome, people now quit life with wails and sadness.  Thus, what would they have done if it were comfortable and pleasant?  

See how wonderful Allah's mercy is!

One last sign of Allah's mercy is His being Merciful even to disbelievers.  He bestows His blessings upon all humanity, even disbelievers.  Though he owns the whole universe, He does not deprive disbelievers from air to breathe, water to drink or food to eat.  He is truly the All-Merciful.

One day, Prophet Ibrahim (AS) "Abraham" invited a man for food.  The moment Prophet Ibrahim (AS) lit fire to cook the food, the man ran towards it and prostrated before it; he was a fire-worshipper.  Ibrahim (AS) rebuked him saying, “Get up!  Do you worship fire?”, and decided not to serve food for him.  Angel Jibril (AS) “Gabriel” came to Ibrahim (AS) and said, “O Ibrahim! Allah (SWT) is saying to you, ‘Couldn't you tolerate him for an hour, when I have tolerated him for 60 years?’”  Hearing those words, Ibrahim (AS) hurried to the man and said, “Come eat with me.”  "What changed you?" asked the man.  "My Lord has blamed me for your sake", replied Ibrahim.  “An Ever-Merciful God like yours must surely be worshipped”, said the man, and reverted to Islam.

In Surat Al-Baqara, Ibrahim (AS) pleads to Allah (SWT) saying what can be translated as, “And as Ibrahîm said, “Lord! Make this a secure land, and provide its population with (various) products, such of them as believe in Allah and the Last Day.”  However, Allah the All-Merciful adds, “And whoever disbelieves…”(TMQ, 2:126).  Ibrahim (AS) asked Allah to bestow His blessings upon believers only; yet, Allah, the Ever-Merciful, included disbelievers as well in Ibrahim's plea.

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