Dear Brothers and Sisters,
Today we contemplate one of Allah's most beautiful attributes: mercy – Ar-Rahman, Ar-Raheem. Allah says: "My mercy encompasses all things." (Al-A'raf, 7:156)
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: "Allah divided mercy into one hundred parts. He kept ninety-nine parts with Himself and sent down one part to earth. From that one part comes all the compassion that creatures show to one another." (Bukhari and Muslim)
Being Vessels of Mercy
We are called to be merciful to all creation. The Prophet (pbuh) said: "The merciful are shown mercy by the Most Merciful. Be merciful to those on earth, and the One in the heavens will be merciful to you." (Tirmidhi)
Mercy means being gentle with our children, patient with our parents, kind to our spouses, compassionate to the poor, and even caring for animals and the environment. It is not weakness but the highest form of strength. Let us embody mercy in our daily lives and spread it wherever we go. May Allah shower His mercy upon us all. Amin.