Show gratitude for God's mercy by being compassionate

This year more than ever, I have found myself calling on Allah, the Sublime for His mercy.

The state of affairs in Bermuda and indeed around the world finds me begging for God’s mercy constantly; each time I hear of a natural disaster around the world, or the ever-increasing gun violence, gang festering and all the other life-sucking foolishness that seems to be abounding in these islands here of late, I cry out for God’s mercy.

This led me to examine exactly what is mercy and why the asking for it comes so naturally when imploring God’s help.

Merriam-Webster dictionary defines mercy as the following: 1(a) kind and gentle treatment of someone (as a wrongdoer or opponent) having no right to it; (b) a disposition to show mercy.

2(a) a blessing as an act of divine love [the mercies of God]; (b) a fortunate happening [it's a mercy the weather cooled off]; 3: kindness shown to victims of misfortune [works of mercy among the poor].

Excellent and profound meanings. Indeed Ramadan is reflective of all of the above.

Muslims have just covered the first 10 days of Ramadan. As we know Ramadan, the month of fasting is divided into three parts; the first ten days of Ramadan are of mercy, the next 10 days are for forgiveness, and the last 10 days are refuge from the hellfire upon our passing from this world to the hereafter.

Mercy in Islam begins with the words Rahman and Rahim. These two words mentioned at the beginning of every Muslim’s prayer. Rahman and Rahim refer to the attributes of the One God, Allah.

Also, Rahman and Rahim when translated from Arabic to English means merciful and compassionate respectively. Truly mercy and compassion are the highest of God’s attributes. 

We are all familiar with the phase ‘God is love’ and to me rahman and rahim are sure proof of God’s love because the abundance of mercy and compassion He pours on us time and time again, indicates an utmost tenderness and love God has for us, His creatures. 

Mercy provides protection and nourishment for our souls.

Truly God is full of Mercy, in fact He is the One who is Supreme in Loving-Kindness.

Oh, how merciful God is to us as He has said in the Noble Quran: 'O My servants who have transgressed against your own souls: do not despair of God's mercy, for God forgives all sins. It is He who is the Forgiving, the Merciful.' Qur'an (39:53) –

As we approach the end of the first 10 days of Ramadan, let us be ever mindful of Allah’s mercy.

Let us also be grateful of God’s mercy by showing mercy in return towards our fellow men; by doing so we characterize a true Muslim spirit of reflecting the virtues of Allah and His beloved Prophet Muhammad (pbuh).

Ramadan Muburek!