Understanding God's Mercy, Part VIII Journal Article

Message of Thaqalayn Autumn 2012, Volume 13 - Number 3 (‎28 page(s) - From 7 to 34 )

Abstract:

The previous part of these series touched upon the qualities of those who qualify themselves to receive extra mercy from God, namely the patient, the good-doers, the righteous, the repentant, the obedient, and those who migrate and struggle for the sake of God. This last part studies divine mercy as illustrated in the way God rewards. Our happiness in the Hereafter depends on our faith and actions, and we need adequate provisions for the eternal journey ahead. Since it is likely that people tend to exaggerate their few deeds, we may not realize the actual length and duration of this difficult journey. God, out of His vast mercy, assists us in various ways to enable us to obtain sufficient provision. Some characteristics of divine rewarding include: a) rewarding people for good intentions, although not punishing them for bad ones, b) multiplying rewards for good actions, although punishment for bad actions are not multiplied, 3) rewards for recommended deeds as emphasized in hadiths even if the hadiths are not authentic, 4) rewarding the pious according to their best performance and without measure, 5) transformation of sins into good deeds, and 6) forgiving people through intercession and for those who have hope in His forgiveness. In the meantime, people are to maintain a healthy balance between despair and contentment with our actions so as to become hopeful and determined to strive in doing good to tread on the right path towards the infinite God.

Machine summary:

"(16:97) According to this verse, Allah (swt) gives those who have faith and righteous deeds a pleasant life (al-hay t al-tayyibah) and will be rewarded according to the best of their actions. Thus, several aspects of God’s mercy were touched upon in these series: 1) divine mercy as that which plays a central role in Islamic spirituality and morality, 2) the implications of Allah’s attributes, such as al-Rahm n and al-Rahim, as well as His coexisting attributes of mercy and power with a connection to Allah’s objective in His creation, 3) attributes such as His generosity, forgiveness, and kindness with further descriptions of His mercy connected to His knowledge and richness, 4) God’s mercy in making various arrangements for our survival and convenience on Earth, such as creating the stars, maintaining the sky, and delivering us from misfortunes; and God’s mercy in human guidance as He sent humankind messengers with the impeccable qualities of empathy and gentleness, 5) God arrangement for different kinds of support in people’s spiritual life, such as protection from Satan, misguidance, and from the tempting soul, 6) the different types and levels of divine forgiveness, how God may even transform one’s immoral deeds into good ones, people’s response to divine mercy, and additional mercy for the patient, 7) the people who qualify themselves to receive extra mercy from God, some of the qualities being the patient, the good-doers, the righteous, the repentant, the obedient, and those who migrate and struggle for the sake of God, and 8) God’s forgiveness and generous reward."

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