Talking about mercy brings to mind the virtue that inclines us to feel compassion for the suffering and hardships of others. However, this description falls short when we speak of the mercy that Allah has towards His creations.
Chapter 55 of the Quran is named after this attribute, which is one of the names of Allah: “Ar-Rahman,” and it is mentioned at the beginning of 113 chapters: “Bismillahi Ar-Rahmani Ar-Rahim” (In the name of Allah, the Most Merciful, the Most Compassionate).
Both are names of Allah and refer to His mercy. The difference between Ar-Rahman and Ar-Rahim is that the former refers to the vastness of God’s mercy and the latter to its effects on His creation.
Allah says in the Quran:
“…but My mercy encompasses all things. I will decree it [especially] for those who fear Me and give zakat and those who believe in Our verses – those who follow the Messenger, the unlettered prophet (Muhammad)…” (7:156)
He promises that whoever sincerely repents of their sins will receive His forgiveness:
“Your Lord has decreed upon Himself mercy: whoever does wrong out of ignorance, then repents after that and corrects themselves – indeed, He is Forgiving and Merciful.” (6:54)
This is confirmed in the hadith qudsi where He says, “My mercy prevails over My wrath.”
It is Allah’s mercy that will grant believers entry into paradise, where no one can enter solely by their good deeds. The Prophet (saws) said, “The actions of the people will not cause them to enter paradise.” It was asked, “Not even you, O Messenger of Allah?” He said, “Not even me, unless Allah covers me with His mercy. Strive for perfection. Let no one wish for death; whoever is doing good should continue, and whoever is doing evil may repent.”
Therefore, brothers and sisters, let us work every day to strengthen our faith, strive in our good deeds, conceal our faults (not making our errors public to avoid setting a bad example for others), and sincerely repent, hoping to receive the benefit of our Creator’s mercy.