Article appeared Friday, January 31st, 2020 in The News Today, Bangladesh

The Revelation (607) yousuf mahbubul Islam, PhD

Do we call on God when in trouble? Outside of such occasions, do we think about God
in any other way? For example, do we wonder about who He is and/or think about any of
His Qualities? Can we name any of His Qualities or Attributes? One attribute that people
come up with is “Most Merciful”. Is He also All Knowing, All-Powerful, Completely
Trustworthy, Ever Forgiving and the Best Protector of everything? Do we need to ask
why God has revealed these Attributes to us? Have we ever wondered what these terms
mean and how they apply to us? Let us consider one or two of these Attributes.

What does Most Merciful mean? The website compellingtruth.org introduces the concept
of God’s mercy in the article In what way is God merciful? {1}, with the following,
“God is merciful in that He possesses the attribute of mercy. Like all
God's attributes, His mercy is infinite, unlimited, and eternal. The
Hebrew and Greek words translated "mercy" mean compassion, loving
kindness, and pity. God's mercy is shed upon those who need it.
Human beings are born with a sin nature and, instead of justly
condemning us, God is merciful in that He withholds the punishment
we deserve and shows compassion and pity toward us. Mercy is the
withholding of a just condemnation.” {1}

In what way is this introduction trying to put forward the concept of “mercy”? It tries to
show that God is merciful by suggesting that He forgives even when we sin, i.e., He is
Ever Forgiving. Confirming this, God says in the Qur’an:
“Tell My servants that I am indeed the Oft-Forgiving Most Merciful;” [15.49]

Let’s look deeper into the concept of infinite and unlimited mercy. As human beings how
would we feel without parents, children and companions? Does God have any such
relationships? No. So, in His infinite mercy God has not only created the concept of
parents, children and companions, He has physically created a system where humans
have the benefits of parents, children and companions. From His Knowledge, He knows
that human beings would feel lonely and therefore has created all kinds of relationships.
Should we be grateful for this show of infinite mercy?
“But verily your Lord is full of grace to mankind: yet most of them are ungrateful.”
[27.73]

In this Verse, God tells us the problem with human beings. He has given so many things
for mankind from His Mercy, yet man does not express his gratitude – he/she does not
acknowledge the blessings of God. Yet we have a habit of saying thanks to other human
beings for the smallest of gifts! If we do not turn in gratitude to our Creator, can we prove
that we believe in Him?

We do not hesitate to call on Him when we are in trouble or when we need anything.
Once He has solved the problem or given us what we want, do we respond to Him with
gratitude?
“When trouble touches a man he cries to Us (in all postures) lying down on his
side or sitting or standing. But when We have solved his problem he passes on
his way as if he had never cried to Us for a trouble that touched him! Thus do the
deeds of transgressors seem fair in their eyes!” [10.12]
Can calling on God when in trouble be classified as belief? God however, says,
“They recognize the favors of God, yet they (then) deny them; most of them are
ungrateful disbelievers.” [16.83]

Why is it that man turns away from God after he has enjoyed His Mercy? Is it because
man feels that he/she deserves the blessings? Or does it hurt the ego to say thank you?
Or we haven’t worked out that He is Real? Whatever the reason be, God confirms in the
Qur’an:

27.74 “And verily your Lord knows all that their hearts do hide as well as all
that they reveal.”
God can see directly into the heart of each person. Can we hide from Him? God gives
the overall scenario in the Qur’an:
“Behold! They fold up their hearts that they may lie hid from Him! Ah! Even when
they cover themselves with their garments He knows what they conceal and what
they reveal: for He knows well the (inmost secrets) of the hearts.” [11.5]

27.75 “Nor is there aught of the Unseen in heaven or earth but is (recorded)
in a clear record.”
What is God telling us in this Verse? What could be in the clear record of the unseen?
To understand this, we need to remind ourselves that God has had to create our life and
environment from nothing. The concepts that we take for granted in our day-to-day life
did not exist before the Big Bang. God therefore had to conceptualize, design, create
and offer humans individual opportunities and choices. The opportunities and choices
that we face on a daily basis are therefore not random events; they are individually
presented to us as tests of our character and degree of attachment to God. He has to
enable the designed opportunities we avail and choices that we take.
“In whatever business you may be in and whatever portion you may be reciting
from the Qur'an and whatever deed you (mankind) may be doing We are
Witnesses thereof when you are deeply engrossed therein. Nor is hidden from
your Lord (so much as) the weight of an atom on the earth or in heaven. And not
the least and not the greatest of these things but are recorded in a clear Record.”
[10.61]

All opportunities and choices are designed and pre-recorded for each individual. We are
therefore responsible only for our intentions and choices made. Our intentions and
choices taken are recorded in a Book of Deeds [18.49], which will be presented to us
individually on the Day of Judgment.

27.76 “Verily this Qur'an does explain to the Children of Israel most of the
matters in which they disagree.”
Not unlike subsequently revealed religions, due to disagreements amongst the followers,
the religion followed by the Children of Israel (Judaism) broke up into sects. The Qur’an,
being the final Revelation, clarifies all matters not just for them, but also for all humanity.

27.77 “And it certainly is a Guide and Mercy to those who believe.”

27.78 “Verily your Lord will decide between them by His Decree: and He is
exalted in Might, All-Knowing.”
It is best that sects study the Qur’an and settle their disputes. If not, God will give His
Decision on the Day of Judgment – if that is indeed what each sect wants.
27.79 “So put your trust in God: for you are on (the Path of) manifest
Truth.”
It is best therefore to turn to God and put complete trust in Him and His Revelation.
Those who do will be saved from His Wrath on the Day of Judgment.
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{Notes}:
{1} https://www.compellingtruth.org/God-is-merciful.html