His mercy embraces all that exists. For without it, no one can survive. Were He to punish the guilty instantly, it would have brought an end to mankind a long time ago. Since He is Most Forbearing and Most Merciful, He overlooks man’s sins and keeps on granting him extended respite so that he may mend his ways. His mercy alone accounts for all joy and happiness in this world. An amazing spectacle of His mercy will be witnessed by everyone on the Day of Judgement. Out of His kindness He will pardon many culprits and bless the pious ones, condoning their occasional lapses, with the interminable joys of Paradise. Only a very small part of His mercy is at work in the bond of love and affection between parents and children, spouses and family members and friends. Man should therefore, turn all the more to Allah, thanking Him for all His favours.
The Qur’ān states in several places that Allah accepts man’s repentance, provided one turns to Him sincerely, invoking His mercy for pardon. He may even forgive man’s worst sins, if he confesses his guilt, resolves never to repeat the same and lead a pious life onwards thereafter. More remarkably, it paves the way for one entering Paradise and enjoying bliss eternally. Many Qur’ānic passages point to His generosity in forgiving:
Do they not know that Allah accepts the repentance of His servants and takes their alms? Allah is undoubtedly the Oft-Returning, the Merciful.
(al-Tawbah 9:104)
One of the outstanding manifestations of His mercy and justice is that He rewards the pious. Obviously He does not stand in need of man’s worship or obedience. However, so as to encourage good conduct, and ensure a happy, peaceful social life as also for man’s spiritual development He has devised the principle of rewarding the pious and punishing the guilty. On the Day of Judgement He will recompense everyone in a manner characterised by perfect justice, fairness and generosity. His dispensation of justice is not flawed in any degree in view of His complete knowledge and His equal treatment of everyone. Piety alone weighs heavily in the scale of His dispensation. One’s ethnic, family or linguistic affiliation does not concern Him in the least:
O mankind! We have created you from a single pair of a male and a female, and made you into nations and tribes, that you know one another (not that you may despise). Certainly the most honoured of you in the sight of Allah is he who is the most righteous of you.
(al-Ḥujurāt 49:13)
As for the relationship between man and Allah, the following features should characterise the same:
One should have overflowing love and respect for Him in view of His numerous favours and His magnificence: “Those who believe are the strongest in love for Allah”, (al-Baqarah 2:165). Likewise, man should be thankful to Him for His countless bounties, for providing him with His guidance: “O Believers! Eat of the good things that We have provided for you and be grateful to Allah”, (al-Baqarah 2:172). Constant thought of Allah should be present in man’s mind, as part of his servitude to Him. Furthermore, it is the most effective means for keeping away from sin. It orients one’s life to the goal of earning His pleasure which, in turn, guarantees success in the Hereafter. Allah’s instructions on this count are clear:
Verily I am Allah! There is no god but I. So serve Me alone and establish regular Prayers to remember Me.
(Ṭā Hā 20:14)
Obedience to Allah should be the cornerstone of one’s way of life. All that one thinks and does should be in line with His commands. This will render one as Allah’s obedient, pious servant and ensure one’s success in both worlds.
O men! Follow the revelation sent down to you from your Lord, and do not follow as friends or protectors any other than Him.
(al-A‘rāf 7:3)
Since He alone is the only true Lord, without a partner or associate, help should be sought from Him alone. Allah has taught this to man in the opening sūrah of the Qur’ān, al-Fātiḥah: “We serve only You and we seek help from You alone”, (al-Fātiḥah 1:5).
To sum up, one should devote oneself fully to Allah, in serving and worshipping Him, in abiding by His commands, and in leading one’s life in accordance with the way prescribed by Him.
Truly my prayer and my service of sacrifice, my life and death are all for Allah, the Lord of the worlds. He does not have a partner. This I am commanded. And I am the first of Muslims.
(al-An‘ām 6:162-163)
Related Qur’ānic passages for self-study
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Allah’s Messengers
Allah has certainly done a favour to the believers when He sent down among them a Messenger from among themselves, who recites to them His revelation, purifies them, and teaches them the Book and wisdom, while before that people had been in manifest error.
(Āl ‘Imrān 3:164)
THIS concise Qur’ānic passage states who is Allah’s Messenger, why he is sent down and what role and functions he performs. A clear understanding of this key Qur’ānic passage helps one grasp the Islamic concept of messengership and the important position of the Messenger in Islam, which is next only to that of Allah. Since the Messenger is central to faith, the Qur’ān spells out distinctly his status and the domain of his activities. This definitive Qur’ānic statement was also necessary in view of the prevailing misperceptions among the Arabs of the day about venerating their messengers beyond the permitted limit, even to the point of ascribing divinity to them. The most