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Mercy is defined as compassion or forgiveness shown toward someone whom it is within one’s power to punish or harm. God has the power to punish us for our sins. But He is the Most Merciful.
[6:12] Say, “To whom belongs everything in the heavens and the earth?” Say, “To GOD.” He has decreed that mercy is His attribute. He will surely summon you all on the Day of Resurrection, which is inevitable. The ones who lose their souls are those who disbelieve.
[6:54] …. Your Lord has decreed that mercy is His attribute. Thus, anyone among you who commits a transgression out of ignorance, and repents thereafter and reforms, then He is Forgiving, Most Merciful.”
God has decreed that mercy is His attribute (6:12,54). He didn’t have to show us mercy; we’re really not worthy of it, having rebelled. But God gave us chances. And He grants us His mercy over and over. All the time. In so many ways. Just being here at all is a great mercy. We could have been in hell. The angels thought that the rebels should be exiled right away (2:30). But we are here, by God’s mercy. This world and its beauty are God’s mercy. And every time He forgives another sin, that’s mercy. One of His names, that begins all suras but 1, is Most Merciful. What a tremendous gift.
If you search for “mercy” in the Quran, there are 130+ results and that doesn’t even include the word “merciful”.
His mercy is infinite. [6:147] If they disbelieve you, then say, “Your Lord possesses infinite mercy, but His retribution is unavoidable for the guilty people.”
[17:100] Proclaim, “If you possessed my Lord’s treasures of mercy, you would have withheld them, fearing that you might exhaust them. The human being is stingy.”
He tells us never to despair of His mercy. Satan will try to tell us that we are not worthy of forgiveness; we should just give up. But God makes it clear that His mercy is always there for us.
God’s Infinite Mercy
[39:53] Proclaim: “O My servants who exceeded the limits, never despair of GOD’s mercy. For GOD forgives all sins. He is the Forgiver, Most Merciful
His mercy is available to all who seek it, but God, in the Quran, tells us how we can attain it.
If we are steadfast: [2:155] We will surely test you through some fear, hunger, and loss of money, lives, and crops. Give good news to the steadfast. [2:156] When an affliction befalls them, they say, “We belong to GOD, and to Him we are returning.” [2:157] These have deserved blessings from their Lord and mercy. These are the guided ones.
If we believe, emigrate & strive: [2:218] Those who believe, and those who emigrate and strive in the cause of GOD, have deserved GOD’s mercy. GOD is Forgiver, Most Merciful.
If we strive, and possibly fight and die: [3:157] Whether you get killed or die in the cause of GOD, the forgiveness from GOD, and mercy are far better than anything they hoard.
If we hold fast to God: [4:175] Those who believe in GOD, and hold fast to Him, He will admit them into mercy from Him, and grace, and will guide them to Him in a straight path.
If we are righteous: [7:56] Do not corrupt the earth after it has been set straight, and worship Him out of reverence, and out of hope. Surely, GOD’s mercy is attainable by the righteous.
[7:63] “Is it too much of a wonder that a reminder should come to you from your Lord, through a man like you, to warn you, and to lead you to righteousness, that you may attain mercy?”
If we follow His practices, especially giving zakat regularly and cheerfully:
[24:56] You shall observe the Contact Prayers (Salat) and give the obligatory charity (Zakat), and obey the messenger, that you may attain mercy.
Requirements For Attaining God’s Mercy: The Importance of Zakat
[7:156] ….He said, “My retribution befalls whomever I will. But My mercy encompasses all things. However, I will specify it for those who (1) lead a righteous life,
(2) give the obligatory charity (Zakat),
(3) believe in our revelations….
If we listen and follow the scripture: [7:204] When the Quran is recited, you shall listen to it and take heed, that you may attain mercy.
Ultimately, God grants His mercy to whomever He wills: [3:74] He specifies His mercy for whomever He wills; GOD possesses unlimited grace.
[17:54] Your Lord knows you best. According to His knowledge, He may shower you with mercy, or He may requite you. We did not send you to be their advocate.
The Quran is a great blessing and a mercy from God. [6:154-155] And we gave Moses the scripture, complete with the best commandments, and detailing everything, and a beacon and mercy, that they may believe in meeting their Lord. This too is a blessed scripture that we have revealed; you shall follow it and lead a righteous life, that you may attain mercy.
[7:52] We have given them a scripture that is fully detailed, with knowledge, guidance, and mercy for the people who believe.
[10:57] O people, enlightenment has come to you herein from your Lord, and healing for anything that troubles your hearts, and guidance, and mercy for the believers. [10:58] Say, “With GOD’s grace and with His mercy they shall rejoice.”