Our Lord, the possessor of infinite mercy and compassion, has called people to the easiest and most beautiful path through His books and messengers. The religious morals to which He summons us are the easiest to follow, and the prescribed prayers are within reach of every person’s ability. Those who cannot fulfill their religious obligations have been informed of the many easy ways that they can use to change this situation and earn our Lord’s good pleasure. As we read in the following verses:
We will ease you to the easy way. (Surat al-A‘la, 8)
He has selected you and not placed any constraint upon you in the religion—the religion of your forefather Ibrahim. (Surat al-Hajj, 78)
We did not send down the Qur’an to you to make you miserable, but only as a reminder for those who have fear [and respect for Allah]. (Surah Ta Ha, 2-3)
In this way We have sent it down as an Arabic Qur’an, and We have made various threats in it so that, hopefully, they will guard against evil or it will spur them into remembrance. (Surah Ta Ha, 113)
In another verse, Allah says that He will not burden people beyond what they can bear:
Allah does not impose on any self any more than it can bear. For it is what it has earned; against it is what it has brought upon itself. “Our Lord, do not take us to task if we forget or make a mistake. Our Lord, do not place on us a load like the one You placed on those before us. Our Lord, do not place on us a load we have not the strength to bear. Pardon us, forgive us, and have mercy on us. You are our Master, so help us against the unbelievers.” (Surat al-Baqara, 286)
This ease is a manifestation of His mercy, forgiveness, and compassion. Allah has established an easy religion for His servants, and, at the end of this temporal test, He offers the glad tidings of unprecedented beauty and unimaginable perfection full of blessings in the eternal life of Paradise:
Their Lord gives them the good news of His mercy and good pleasure, and of Gardens in which they will enjoy everlasting delight, remaining in them timelessly, forever and ever. Truly, there is an immense reward with Allah. (Surat at-Tawba, 21-22)
Allah needs nothing and is free of all deficiencies. On the other hand, people need to worship, pray, and display good morals. Even the world’s most brutal, violent, and faithless person cannot harm Allah in any way, for He is the sole owner and sovereign of all that exists. Still, Allah says that He will reward those who display moral excellence. This is one of many signs of Almighty Allah’s forgiveness and mercy.
The revelations contained within Allah’s true books brought people into the light from their darkness, and His sending prophets and messengers to guide everyone to the true path is yet another manifestation of our Lord’s mercy.
Allah has made the Qur’an a source of light that informs people of the right and wrong paths and reveals all things. Our Lord has told us about all forms of worship, belief, and behaviors for which we will be held accountable in the Hereafter.
We have brought them a Book elucidating everything with knowledge, as guidance and a mercy for people who believe. (Surat al-A‘raf, 52)
Allah states in the Qur’an that none of its letters will ever be corrupted:
We have sent down the Reminder and will preserve it. (Surat al-Hijr, 9)
Falsehood cannot reach it [the Qur’an] from before it or behind it—it is a revelation from One Who is All-Wise, Praiseworthy. (Surah Fussilat, 42)
The Qur’an will be protected and remain valid until the Day of Judgment. In its faultless and complete manner, it is a great blessing and ease for all humanity. Allah informs the believers of these facts, as follows:
We have sent down the Book to you making all things clear, and as guidance, mercy, and good news for the Muslims. (Surat an-Nahl, 89)
 Furthermore, Allah has sent His messengers and prophets throughout history to all people. These blessed people, whom Allah has selected, are very dependable, pious, just, and possessed of good morals. They sought only Allah’s good pleasure, even at the risk of death, and spent their lives calling people to the true path. In addition, they were very compassionate, for they constantly thought of the believers, protected them, and were sensitive and self-sacrificing toward them. For Allah to select all of these special people with such excellent characteristics, and then send them to humanity, is yet another example of His kindness to believers.
A further manifestation of His mercy and protection is that He has informed all things to people, and has sent true books, as well as reliable messengers and prophets, to invite people to an easy path. Allah has ensured ease for all people throughout history, provided for them in the best possible form, and vowed to guard and protect those who adhere to His call. And, above all, He has promised Paradise with all of its beauty to the believers. Allah, the Most Merciful, is the protector and provider of all people in both this world and the Hereafter, and possessor of infinite compassion.
Jul 14, 2009
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