3 Signs of the Ultimate Mercy of Allah
Aisha Stacey
Bismillah ar-Rahman ar-Raheem. I begin with the name of
Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
This is a phrase that we say every day, several times per
day. However sometimes we forget how mighty a phrase it is and we forget that
mercy is one of His attributes that we, as imperfect human beings, constantly
rely upon Allah’s blessings.
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.
My Mercy embraces all things… (Quran 7:156)
In English the word mercy has several meanings including
compassion, forgiveness, kindness, and tenderness. In Arabic, the term for
mercy is rahmah; Ar-Rahman and Ar-Raheem, two of the most important names of
Allah derive from this root word.
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.
Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) informed us that Allah
is more merciful to His slaves than a mother is to her child, and in fact, the
Arabic word for womb, is derived from the same root word as mercy – rahmah.
This is a sign of the unique connection between Allah’s
mercy and the womb. Allah nurtures and shelters us, just as the womb nurtures
and shelters the unborn child. In the Quran, in the authentic Sunnah and
throughout the world there are many signs of Allah’s mercy to His creation.
Some Signs of Allah’s Mercy
The Prophets and
Messengers
Allah sent Prophets and Messengers to guide us and help us
to remain on His straight path leading to eternal Paradise.
All the Prophets and Messengers were mortal, human beings,
sent to different nations at different times but proclaimed the same message –
worship One God and not to associate anything or anyone with Him. They showed
the people the best way to live and lead a life that would give them success
and happiness in this life and in the next.
Prophet Muhammad being the last of them, was sent to all of
humankind. He was sent with a message that was suitable for all people, in all
places, at all times. Allah describes the Prophet as a mercy upon humankind.
He, the Exalted, says:
And We have not sent you, (O Muhammad), except as a mercy to
the worlds. (Quran 21:107)
Prophet Muhammad was the embodiment of mercy. He showed
gentleness and compassion to all those he came in contact with his family,
orphans, friends, slaves, and strangers.
And by the Mercy of God, you dealt with them gently. And had you been severe and harsh hearted,
they would have broken away from about you; so pass over (their faults), and
ask (Allah’s) Forgiveness for them… (Quran 3:159)
The Quran
The 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.
And We have not sent down the Book (the Quran) to you (O
Muhammad), except that you may explain clearly unto them those things in which
they differ, and (as) a guidance and a mercy for a people who believe. (Quran
16:64)
And this is a blessed Book (the Qur’an) which We have sent
down, so follow it and fear Allah (i.e. do not disobey His Orders), that you
may receive mercy. (Quran 6:155)
Leniencies in Matter
of Worship
Islam teaches that every single aspect of life can be an act
of worship. Everything from eating and drinking to sleeping and going to the
bathroom can be done in a way that pleases Allah. Islam is a faith that is
flexible, lenient and merciful.
For instance, if a believer is sick and cannot fast during
the month of Ramadan, he is not mandated to fast. In fact he is encouraged to not fast.
Similarly if a Muslim cannot make the Hajj due to physical or financial
difficulties he or she is excused from doing so.
It is the mercy of Allah that allows a Muslim traveler to
combine prayers when traveling, because stopping every few hours to pray may
make the trip longer and more arduous.
Mercy is One of Allah’s greatest attributes. It is incumbent
upon those who believe in Allah to show mercy in all that they do and say.
…He is the Most Merciful of those who show mercy! (Quran 12:
92)
Prophet Muhammad explained the quality of mercy to his
companions, telling them that God has divided His mercy into one hundred parts
and has sent down one part to be shared amongst the creation. This is why
people are compassionate and kind towards one another and wild animals treat
their offspring with gentleness.
However, God withheld the other 99 parts to be bestowed upon
the believers on the Day of Judgment.
Source: Islamreligion.com/aboutislam.net
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About Aisha Stacey
Aisha Stacey is the mother of three adult children. She
embraced Islam in 2002 and spent the next five years in Doha, Qatar studying
Islam and working at the Fanar Cultural Centre. In 2006 Aisha returned to
university for a second time and completed at Bachelor of Arts and a Graduate
Certificate in Writing. Aisha is also a published writer in both internet and
print media and in 2009 -10 she was the Queensland editor at a national
Australian Islamic newspaper ~ Crescent Times.
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