Hatred, Revenge as Obstacles to God's Mercy
In a session on discussing Du’a al-Baha, also known as Dua al-Sahar typically read in the dawns of Ramadan, seminary teacher Hojat-ol-Islam Mohammad Soroush Mahalati pointed to the topic of God’s mercy. Here are excerpts from his remarks.
The mercy that we ask from God in the supplication is of two kinds; 1) mercy for ourselves 2) mercy for others. The first type of mercy is requested when a person asks God for forgiveness or a wish or settlement of a problem.
This type of mercy is also mentioned in the verses of the Quran; “Say: 'O My worshipers, who have sinned excessively against themselves, do not despair of the Mercy of Allah, surely, Allah forgives all sins. He is the Forgiver, the Most Merciful.” (Surah Az-Zumar, verse 53) The Holy Quran urges us not to get disappointed in receiving God’s mercy.
The second type of mercy is that man asks God for receiving the attribute of mercy and kindness so as to treat others with kindness. In fact, man wants God to give him kindness and mercy so that he can solve other people's problems and help others. The Quran has introduced some people who were blessed with mercy; one of these groups was the followers of Jesus.
The Quran both praises and criticizes some of their thoughts, beliefs and behaviors. This God-given mercy should not be used solely for solving one’s own problems but also that of others. “O Allah, I ask You to give me from Your mercy at its utmost inclusiveness,” reads part of the supplication of al-Baha.
In the dawns of the holy month of Ramadan, we ask God to shine His mercy on us, not only to enlighten ourselves but also to enlighten others.
A heart filled with hatred does not have the capacity to receive God's mercy
Verse 159 of Surah Al-Imran addresses Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), saying, “It was by that Mercy of Allah that you (Prophet Muhammad) dealt so leniently with them.” This means that the Holy Prophet was kind to others because of God-given mercy. This is the second type of mercy. Here, the Prophet is a mediator of God’s mercy on earth.
Of course, this high level of mercy exists in the heart of the Prophet (PBUH). Others also have this mercy but at lower levels; take parents, for example, especially mothers. In the Holy Quran, we don't have any advice about mothers being kind, because there was no need for such a recommendation.
On the other hand, children should be advised to respect their parents. “And lower to them the wing of humbleness out of mercy and say: 'My Lord, be merciful to them, as they raised me since I was little.'” (Surah Al-Isra’, verse 24)
In our prayers during the Night of Qadr, we should ask God to be kind to others.
