One should never despair of the Mercy of Allah because this is a grave major sin.
Allah, The Almighty, Says (what means):
• {And who despairs of the Mercy of his Lord except for those astray?} [Quran 15: 56]
• {Indeed, no one despairs of relief from Allah except the disbelieving people.} [Quran 12:87]
In another verse, Allah, The Almighty, Says (what means): {And do not throw [yourselves] with your [own] hands into destruction.} [Quran 2: 195]
Commenting on the verse, some scholars said that when the slave of Allah commits a sin and then thinks that his sin will not be forgiven and, therefore, he abandons seeking forgiveness and repentance to Allah, this is the destruction meant in the verse. We seek refuge in Allah form that.
In a Qudsi Hadeeth, the Prophet sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allah exalt his mention ) narrated that Allah, The Almighty, Said: “A slave committed a sin and he said, ‘O Allah, Forgive me my sin.’ Allah, The Almighty, Said, ‘My slave committed a sin and came to realize that he has a Lord Who Forgives sins and Calls to account (the sinner) for the sin.’ He then again committed a sin and said, ‘My Lord, Forgive me my sin.’ Allah, The Exalted, Said, ‘My slave committed a sin and came to realize that he has a Lord Who Forgives sins and Calls to account for the sin.’ He again committed a sin and said, ‘My Lord, Forgive me for my sin.’ Allah, The Exalted, Said, ‘My slave committed a sin and came to realize that he has a Lord Who Forgives sins and Calls to account for the sin. O slave, do what you like. I Have Granted you forgiveness.’” [Muslim]
There is also the example of that man who used to drink alcohol and was brought to the Messenger of Allah sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allah exalt his mention ). ‘Umar, may Allah be pleased with him, narrated: “During the lifetime of the Prophet sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allah exalt his mention ) there was a man called ‘Abdullaah whose nickname was Himaar (donkey), and he used to make the Messenger of Allah sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allah exalt his mention ) laugh. The Prophet sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allah exalt his mention ) lashed him because of drinking (alcohol). One day, he was brought to the Prophet sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allah exalt his mention ) for the same charge and was lashed. On that, a man among the people said, ‘O Allah, Curse him! How frequently he is brought (to the Prophet sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allah exalt his mention ) for such a charge)!’ The Prophet sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allah exalt his mention ) said, ‘Do not curse him, for by Allah, I know that he loves Allah and His Messenger.’” [Al-Bukhari]
The wording of another narration reads: A man said: “‘Why does he do so? May Allah Fail him.’ The Messenger of Allah sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allah exalt his mention ) said, ‘Do not support the devil against your brother.’” [Al-Bukhari]
Hence, a slave should never despair of the Mercy of Allah, The Almighty. Rather, whenever he commits a sin, he should ask for forgiveness and repent to Allah. None is infallible. Regarding the righteous people who are promised Paradise, Allah, The Almighty, Says (what means): {And hasten to forgiveness from your Lord and a garden as wide as the heavens and earth, prepared for the righteous.} [Quran 3: 133]
Indicating the characteristics of the righteous people, Allah Added (what means): {And those who, when they commit an immorality or wrong themselves [by transgression], remember Allah and seek forgiveness for their sins - and who can forgive sins except Allah? - And [who] do not persist in what they have done while they know. Those - their reward is forgiveness from their Lord and gardens beneath which rivers flow [in Paradise], wherein they will abide eternally; and excellent is the reward of the [righteous] workers.} [Quran 3: 135-136]
Even a righteous person may commit a grave major sin or do an immorality. Nevertheless, he immediately gives up the sin and returns to his Lord, seeking forgiveness and repentance.
Here is also the example of the Messengers, May Allah Exalt their mention. Allah, The Almighty, Says (what means): {Indeed, in My presence the messengers do not fear. Otherwise, he who wrongs, then substitutes good after evil - indeed, I Am Forgiving and Merciful.} [Quran 27: 10-11]
Moosa (Moses), May Allah Exalt his mention, who was directly addressed by Allah, killed a person and then said as Allah, The Almighty, Says (what means): {My Lord, indeed I have wronged myself, so Forgive me,” and He Forgave him. Indeed, He Is The Forgiving, The Merciful.} [Quran 18: 16]
Allah Says about those who brought the truth and those who believed in it (what means): {That Allah May Remove from them the worst of what they did and Reward them their due for the best of what they used to do.} [Quran 39: 35]
The verses stand as evidence that they did bad actions.
Speaking true words is a facet of action referred to as the action of the tongue. It is the first tangible deed that someone performs when he announces his entry into Islam: “I bear witness that none has the right to be worshipped except Allah and that Muhammad is His messenger.” But what I mean here, more specifically, is the importance of action as a fundamental value in Islam, in terms of maintaining one's religion and developing the world around us. The indispensability of action, by itself, is a major principle that is supported by hundreds of texts from the Quran and Sunnah )traditions of the Prophet sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allah exalt his mention )).
The success or failure of an individual, the strength or weakness of a society, and the happiness of this world with salvation in the next life all depend on action. Good deeds are the recognised valuables upon which hinge propitious results in the short and long term.
These actions that are deeds of righteousness must fulfil two important conditions:
1. A proper intention (sincerity)
2. Compliance with the Sunnah and the Sharee'ah (Islamic legislation)-also referred to as correctness.
Both of these conditions are addressed in the verse (which means): "[He] who created death and life to test you [as to] which of you is best in deed..." [Quran 67:2]
So, goodness of action relies upon two issues: sincerity for Allah and abiding by the Sharee'ah. The commentary of Al-Fudhayl Ibn 'Iyaadh may Allah have mercy upon him on this verse of chapter Al-Mulk (the Dominion) is well known. He said concerning “best in deed”: "The most sincere and the most correct."
If a deed is done sincerely but is not correct, it is not accepted. Similarly, if it is correct but not done sincerely, it is also not accepted. It is only accepted when it is done sincerely and correctly. I tried to enumerate the number of times that 'righteous deeds' was mentioned in the Quran. These two words were mentioned together about ninety times. The word action or deed when juxtaposed with another adjective other than righteous appears much more often (approximately three hundred times). It is a clear indication of the importance of actions in life. Even in dying, the deed of making an intention is required. This is why Allah Almighty Says (what means): "…So do not die except while you are Muslims." [Quran 2:132]
In western schools of thought generally, and in America more specifically, a new way of thinking, called 'Pragmatism', has sprung into existence that focuses mainly on work and production. This philosophy holds that real and palpable benefits are the yardstick of knowledge, meaning that real knowledge is that which can be practically applied and not merely theoretical knowledge that is cut off from everyday life.
The Divine praise for action implies disdain for two ways that are not on the path of truth: The first way is of the doer whose deed is not based upon true guidance and who has no knowledge of the divine laws. They are those whose deeds are described as being bad or evil. If the deed is a worldly one, it will not bear the desired fruit because it was not based on the proper vision or on true experience.
This meaning is from Allah, Almighty, when He Says (what means): "[Some] faces, that Day, will be humbled, Working [hard] and exhausted. They will [enter to] burn in an intensely hot Fire. They will be given drink from a boiling spring." [Quran 88:2-5]
And (what means): "Say [O Muhammad]: 'Shall we [believers] inform you of the greatest losers as to [their] deeds? [They are] those whose effort is lost in worldly life, while they think that they are doing well in work.'" [Quran 18:103-104]
Every group that is away from Allah's path falls under this category. Their worship of Allah Almighty is mixed with ignorance and falsehood.
Revolutionary schools of thought that do not form their ideas from Divine guidance also fall into this category. They base their efforts and actions on false premises. Their situation is as Allah Almighty describes it by Saying (what means): "Those before them had already plotted, but Allah came at [i.e., uprooted] their building from the foundations, so the roof fell upon them from above them, and the punishment came to them from where they did not perceive." [Quran 16:26]
The most illustrative example of this category in our times is Communism and its philosophical, political and societal roots. Most of its proponents never expected such disastrous results. All of their efforts resulted in harm and they were preoccupied in finding ways to support such a backward system.
The second way is of those who prefer inactivity and comfort. It is the philosophy that is blind to Allah's ways. In it, one wants all desires to come true without effort or toil. The nature of man in terms of being active and doing things makes the existence of such a group to seem dubious at best. But the fundamental qualities of this group become manifest in different ways, for example, those who persist in following their lusts and desires, or who think that it is sufficient for them to follow a particular slogan or be known by a particular name.
On this way are also those who have no goal or aim that they strive for. They are merely prisoners of their circumstances and their daily routines. Their behaviour is not steered by an ideology and their work is not linked to any important mission. They are drowned in work that has no meaning. One of them goes to work to pay off the mortgage on his house. He comes home to sleep, eat and drink only to be able to find the energy to perform his tasks at work! A machine without a spirit is what he has become. The one who is in these circumstances does not even realise the precarious situation that he is in.
Further down in the pit is the Philosophical School that gives no value to the intellect. To them, what is considered by man to be existing is in fact nonexistent. They disbelieve in values. Their aim is to destroy without offering an alternative way. Their goal is to destroy the social structure without having any intention of replacing it with another system.
Many are those who complain about the reality that they live in. They strive to destroy the structure of their society without caring for the fact that the supplanting system will be chaos.
“Limitless is your Lord in His mercy…”
(Qur’an 6:147)
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. How can it be otherwise, when some of God’s names and attributes include:
The Acceptor of Repentance;
The Compassionate;
The Loving;
The Forbearing One;
The Most Gracious;
The Most Merciful;
The Source of Goodness;
The Most Generous;
The Bestower
These names all indicate that God is characterised by mercy, goodness and generosity. They testify to the vastness and perfection of His Mercy, which He blesses all of His creation. This same creation is addressed by God, when He says, “O son of Adam, were you to come to Me with sins nearly as great as the earth and were you then to face Me, ascribing no partner to Me, I would bring you forgiveness nearly as great as the earth.”
Examples of Allah’s Mercy & blessings
“Then which of the Blessings of your Lord will you deny?”
(Qur’an 55:13)
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 thereby 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. They are given mobility, enjoyment, freedom of thought and action, despite their outright denial of Him. Their very existence would not be, were it not for the Mercy of Allah.
Ultimately, everyone has the free will to acknowledge their blessings, use them in a manner ordained by Allah (the Lord of mankind) and worship Him alone. Below, we have outlined a glimpse of such blessings, because
“… if you were to try and count the favours of Allah, you could not enumerate them. Indeed, Allah is Forgiving and Merciful.”
(Qur’an 16:18)
Guidance Through Divine Scriptures & Prophets
“It is He Who has sent down the Book (the Qur’an) to you (Muhammad) with truth, confirming what came before it. And He sent down the Taurah and the Injeel (the original revelations revealed to Prophets Moses and Jesus respectively).”
(Qur’an 3:3)
From the beginning of creation, man was not left to face the struggles of life alone. Due to God’s Mercy, man received revelation through Prophets, who conveyed and taught it to their people to guide and protect them. The most perfect and merciful of revelations was the Qur’an and the last of the prophets was Muhammad (peace be upon him).
The Qur’an – the final revelation – superseded and abrogated previous revelations, and is the ultimate mercy and guidance for mankind. Just as God sent Messengers in the past, He also sent mankind a living, perfect and practical example of how the Qur’an’s teachings of mercy and justice should be practically applied in our daily lives. This example was Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) – a mercy to mankind.
“And We (God) have not sent you (Muhammad) except as a mercy for mankind.”
(Qur’an 21:107)
Following are just some of the Prophet’s sayings which are indicative of his mercy, kindness, tolerance and beautiful teachings:
“Kindness is not found in anything except that it adds to its beauty, and is not withdrawn from anything except that it makes it deficient.”
“The most perfect of believers in belief is the best of them in character.”
“He is not a perfect Muslim who eats his fill while his neighbour goes hungry.”
“Allah will not show mercy to him who does not show mercy to others.”
How desperately do we, as a society, and in these times, need such beautiful advice?
Mercy Towards The Creation
TThe creation of human beings and all their faculties is a great mercy in itself. The fact that we can get out of bed, work, eat, play and sleep should make us grateful.
“And out of His Mercy He made for you the night and the day that you may rest therein and [by day] seek from His Bounty and [that] perhaps you will be grateful.”
( Qur’an 28:73)
A spouse is one of the greatest of mercies, a means to tranquillity and affection.
“And of His signs is that He created for you, from yourselves, mates that you may find tranquility in them; and He placed between you affection and mercy. Indeed in that are signs for a people who give thought.”
(Qur’an 30:21)
Another mercy is the fact that He created us sinless and will not hold us to account until the age of maturity and decision making. This is in stark contrast to the “Original Sin” concept in Christianity.
Forgiveness of sins is another example of Allah’s Mercy, as Allah knows we are imperfect and commit mistakes. The fact that believers commit sins does not mean that we should lose hope of Allah’s Mercy or that we have exhausted Allah’s Forgiveness.
“O My servants who have transgressed against their souls! Do not despair of the Mercy of God: for God forgives all sins: for He is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.”
(Qur’an 39:53)
Even animals are not exempt from Allah’s Mercy. They have faculties of hearing and sight, are provided with sustenance and offspring, and are granted many other blessings. Allah’s Mercy envelops them to the point that because of one single portion of Allah’s Mercy sent to earth, “…His creatures are merciful to each other, so that even the mare lifts up its hoof away from its baby animal, lest it should trample on it.”
The Merciful Creator ensures that every creation is looked after – from the fish in the depths of the ocean, to the insects in the earth, and the birds in the skies – all are sustained by Him.
How to increase Allah’s Mercy upon us
“Indeed, the mercy of Allah is near to the doers of good.”
(Qur’an 7:56)
Due to God’s Mercy, He has promised to forgive and pardon whosoever follows the appropriate means as mentioned in the following verse:
“And surely, I am indeed forgiving to him who repents, believes (in My Oneness, and associates none in worship with Me) and does righteous good deeds, and then remains constant in doing them.”
(Qur’an 20:82)
Part and parcel of having the correct belief is believing and obeying the final Messenger, Muhammad (peace be upon him).
In short, the people who receive more of Allah’s Mercy are those who have acknowledged His blessings and favours; used them in a way which pleases God; spent their God-given wealth in charity and to look after the needy; employed their hands to care for orphans; utilised their gift of speech to speak good; and performed other honourable acts ordained by God.
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said:
“Allah will show mercy to those who show mercy to people. Show mercy to those who are on earth – the One Who is in Heaven will show mercy to you.”
Below, are some ways to attain God’s Mercy.
“Obey Allah and the Messenger that you may obtain mercy.”
(Qur’an 3:132)
By following the teachings of mercy and justice found in the Qur’an:
“And this is a blessed Book We have revealed; therefore follow it and protect yourself (against evil), that mercy may be shown to you.”
(Qur’an 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.”
(Qur’an 24:56)
Sincerely asking for Mercy from God.
“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.”
(Qur’an 3:8)
Mercy & Accountability
Alongside Allah’s attribute of Mercy is His attribute of Justice.
“Verily, for the Righteous, are Gardens of Delight, in the Presence of their Lord. Shall We then treat the People of Faith like those who do not believe? What is the matter with you? How do you judge? ”
(Qur’an 68:34-36)
Allah is the Most-Merciful, however, He is also Swift in Reckoning. One cannot try to deceive Allah and take advantage of His Mercy by constantly committing the same sins without sincere repentance or resolving never to go back to the sin again.
“And of no effect is the repentance of those who continue to do evil deeds until death faces one of them and he says: ‘Now I repent;’ nor of those who die while they are disbelievers.”
(Qur’an 4:18)
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.
And finally, they feel content with the words of their Creator, and keep it close to their heart:
“Surely Allah is Most Gentle, Ever Compassionate to people.”
(Qur’an 22:65)
