In Surah Al-A’raf, Verse 157, Allah says: “My mercy encompasses all things.” And in
Surah Az-Zumar, Verse 54, He says: “O My
servants who have transgressed against yourselves, do not despair of the mercy
of Allah. Indeed, Allah forgives all sins.” These words are a
comfort to the heart; a call towards hope, towards returning to Allah in
repentance, towards light after darkness.
In a Hadith Qudsi reported by Bukhari and Muslim, the Holy Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) said: “Allah said: My mercy prevails over My wrath.” This Hadith forms a foundation in Islamic understanding: Allah is Just, but His Mercy is vaster than His punishment. He gives every soul a chance to return sincerely to Him, in obedience.
In life, people make mistakes; it is natural.
But Islam teaches that every sin is not the end – it is a call towards Tawbah,
sincere repentance. Tawbah does not mean simply saying “I regret”;
it involves a change of heart, a will not to repeat the same mistake, and a
sincere plea for forgiveness from Allah. In Surah Al-Baqara, Verse 223, Allah
says: “Allah loves those who repent and those
who purify themselves.” There is no intermediary between a servant
and Allah when seeking forgiveness. It is enough for a person to recognise/
accept their fault or sin, regret it, and ask for pardon with sincerity. A
sincere repentance (as I mentioned previously) erases the traces of past sins
and opens the door to a new beginning.
But forgiveness is not limited to the
relationship between a person and Allah; it also concerns human relationships.
If someone has wronged another, they must seek forgiveness from that person
before asking Allah for forgiveness. In Surah An-Nur, Verse 23, Allah says: “Let them forgive and overlook. Would you not love for
Allah to forgive you?” This verse calls for greatness of heart; it
teaches that forgiveness is a noble quality, and it attracts divine mercy.
Each day that rises is a new chapter in our
lives. In Islam, there is no concept of “eternal condemnation” for the one who
sincerely returns to Allah. Repentance erases what has passed and grants that
person the legitimate right to begin anew in obedience to Allah. It is a spiritual
rebirth. In Surah Al-Furqan, Verse 71, Allah says: “Except
those who repent, believe, and do righteous deeds; for them Allah will replace
their bad deeds with good ones.” This verse does not merely promise
forgiveness; it promises transformation. Obedience to Allah begins with the
submission of the heart. When a person decides to live according to divine
commandments, they embark on a path of light. Even if the past was filled with
faults, the future opens with many new positive possibilities. The Holy Prophet
(pbuh) said: “Allah stretches out His hand during the night so that the
sinner of the day may repent, and He stretches out His hand during the day so
that the sinner of the night may repent.” (Muslim). This Hadith shows that
the door of forgiveness is always open; it is never closed.
Allah’s Mercy is not limited to sins and
forgiveness; it is present in every breath, every blessing, every moment of
peace. In Surah Ar-Rahman, which is entirely dedicated to mercy, Allah
repeatedly asks: “Which of the favours of your
Lord will you deny?” This repetition is a constant reminder that
life is filled with divine favours. Even in trials, there is mercy. Sometimes,
a hardship comes as a purification, as a means of drawing closer to Allah. In
Surah Al-Baqara, Verse 287, Allah says: “Allah
does not burden a soul beyond what it can bear.” This verse offers
reassurance; it gives courage to face life with faith and patience.
Divine Mercy is an ocean without shore;
forgiveness is a bridge to inner peace and the right for anyone to begin their
life anew in obedience and divine wisdom. This Mercy of Allah is a light that
guides towards His obedience. Islam is not merely a religion of laws; it is a
religion of compassion, reconciliation, and transformation. Every person who
turns sincerely to Allah is given a new name: one whom Allah, Ar-Rahman
(the Most Gracious), loves. In Surah Al-Imran, Verse 136, Allah says: “And those who, when they commit an indecency or wrong
themselves, remember Allah and seek forgiveness for their sins – and who can
forgive sins except Allah? – and who do not persist knowingly in what they have
done.”
So, in every beating heart, in every tear that falls, in every prayer that rises to Allah, there is a call for His Mercy. Allah is the One Who hears that call, and He alone grants peace, forgiveness, and a new beginning to the one who seeks His Mercy. May Allah grant all those who strive towards Him the ability to attain His Mercy, to receive a new beginning that draws them ever closer to their Creator. Insha-Allah, Ameen.
---Friday Sermon of