Respected Teacher,
We say that God is merciful, and God Himself tells the Prophet in the Qur’an, “Tell My servants: I am merciful.” This raises the question: What does God do for us that leads us to call Him merciful?
Does God’s creation of the heavens and the earth, of human beings and all other creatures, and of everything necessary for life form part of His mercy?
Of course, God is the Most Merciful of the merciful. He provides sustenance to everyone, whether good and faithful or unbelieving; He relieves their difficulties and heals their sick, and so on. These are certainly among the manifestations of God’s mercy; there is no question about that.
Or is it that, since human beings are helpless and weak, God must Himself sustain creation so that things can continue as they ordinarily should and people can carry on worshipping Him? Otherwise, everything would fall into disarray. But if we call these things mercy, aren’t they simply necessities of life?
Does God’s attribute of mercy reveal itself more fully in this world, or will we witness it in the Hereafter?
Please explain this matter. God willing, I hope my question contains nothing that could be seen as disrespectful toward the One Creator. These were simply questions someone asked me, and I wanted you, esteemed teacher, to address them fully. Thank you.
الهی العفو الهی العفو الهی العفو ....