Who among us does not long to attain the mercy of Allah the Exalted? Without it, both our afterlife and our worldly life are bound to fail.
Allah’s Mercy: General and Special
فَمَاۤ اُوۡتِيۡتُمۡ مِّنۡ شَىۡءٍ فَمَتَاعُ الۡحَيٰوةِ الدُّنۡيَاۚ وَمَا عِنۡدَ اللّٰهِ خَيۡرٌ وَّاَبۡقٰى لِلَّذِيۡنَ اٰمَنُوۡا وَعَلٰى رَبِّهِمۡ يَتَوَكَّلُوۡنَ
“So whatever you have been given is only the enjoyment of worldly life. But what is with Allah is better and more lasting—for those who believe and who put their trust in their Lord.” Sura Shura – 42:36
Allah’s general mercy is present into this world — no one is deprived of it. Living in this world with health, food, and clothing—these are all immense mercies, but they are for all. However, the mercy by which our worldly life and our Hereafter become truly successful is the special and supreme mercy. That mercy is the gift of faith (Iman) and Islam.
If life passes away in negligence and heedlessness, death will inevitably arrive, and eternal success will be lost. Therefore, the mercy that grants everlasting salvation must never be disregarded.
A Believer’s Life Is filled with Mercy: Through Repentance and Good Deeds Comes Success
The life of a believer is surrounded by Allah Almighty’s mercy. Yet, despite being believers, we sometimes fail to realize this. One basic reason is that we have not become properly acquainted with Islam. We lack even a minimal, correct understanding of Allah’s way (His laws) for this world. As a result, we form various ignorant notions about Allah—let alone truly knowing Him. Nevertheless, it is essential to refrain from holding beliefs and ideas about Allah that are inappropriate and incorrect.
Allah’s mercy manifests in a believer’s life in several ways. Some people, when they look back at their past, become severely distressed. Their past is so stained that merely recalling it causes intense pain. Even recalling it for a minute or two overwhelms them with shame, regret, and anguish.
Yet Allah’s mercy has purified—and continues to purify—many such people. For Allah, this is extremely easy, just like everything else.
If a non-Muslim—that is, a disbeliever—embraces Islam sincerely by reciting the testimony of faith at any time before death (before the signs of death appear), Allah accepts him as a believer. Then just think: a believer already believes in Allah. If he commits a sin and then repents, how could he be deprived? He is already under the shade of Allah’s mercy!
Allah the Exalted says:
وَمَنۡ تَابَ وَعَمِلَ صَالِحًـا فَاِنَّهٗ يَتُوۡبُ اِلَى اللّٰهِ مَتَابًا
“And whoever repents and does righteous deeds—indeed, he has truly turned to Allah in repentance.” Sura Furqan – 25:71
So, no matter what a person’s past may be like, sincere repentance will purify them. Therefore, we must acknowledge whatever we have done wrong and repent. From now on, we must take Allah’s name and begin walking on His path. Let this effort be slow and steady, but let it be sincere—InshaAllah, complete success will come.
A Believer Can Never Despair of Allah’s Mercy
قُلْ لَّنۡ يُّصِيۡبَـنَاۤ اِلَّا مَا كَتَبَ اللّٰهُ لَـنَا ۚ هُوَ مَوۡلٰٮنَا ۚ وَعَلَى اللّٰهِ فَلۡيَتَوَكَّلِ الۡمُؤۡمِنُوۡنَ
“Say, ‘Nothing will ever befall us except what Allah has decreed for us. He is our Protector, and upon Allah let the believers rely.” Sura Tawbah – 9:51
A Muslim does not despair. Despair and hopelessness are not allowed. One of our major problems is that we become anxious and hopeless over very small matters, and in despair we give up entirely. This is completely inappropriate.
Why should we despair, brother? Why should we sit down in hopelessness? Why should we deliberately throw away this precious life?
This life is a gift from the One to whom we should ask for help. Since He has given us this life, He will also help us build it. Our responsibility is to begin work with a good intention. This is the practical step of repentance. First comes remorse, then action—striving on Allah’s path.
Not Repenting after Committing a Sin is another Sin
If, after committing a sin, a person falls into despair and delays repentance, this is yet another act of disobedience to Allah the Exalted. Such a person must understand that there is a great deficiency in gratitude within them. If he was grateful, he would see Allah’s blessings, and one who sees Allah’s blessings cannot live a life of despair.
Therefore, one must always remain grateful to Allah. Then, seeing His gifts, we will be overjoyed, our hearts will rejoice, patience in hardship will become easy, and tranquility will enter our lives.
Sin is indeed a great calamity—but that does not mean there is no solution if a sin is committed. One must strive to stay away from sin as much as possible. But if a sin does occur, repentance must be made. Repentance is such an act that uproots the poisonous effects of sin—or at the very least weakens them.
If someone thinks, “Alas, by committing such-and-such sin I have lost so much already — what will happen to me now?”—there is still good news for them: those losses are worldly. Remain firm on Allah’s path, and InshaAllah, you will be successful in the Hereafter. And as long as life remains in this world, you will also receive Allah’s help.
Famous Tabi‘i Wahb ibn Munabbih said to his son (meaning):
“My son, do not be like those who hope for Paradise but perform no righteous deeds, and who delay repentance thinking they will live a long life.” Kitab at-Tawbah, Shu‘ab al-Iman
Luqman the Wise, while advising his son, (meaning):
“My son, do not delay repentance, for death may come suddenly.” Shu‘ab al-Iman
