Allah's mercy calls for repentance
“There are no sins that are too numerous or too great for Ar-Rahman and Ar-Rahim to forgive.”
Because Allah repeatedly describes Himself as Ar-Rahman and Ar-Rahim, believers should never despair, seek His mercy through repentance and obedience, and show mercy to others while remembering accountability.
The khutbah in 5 steps
- Allah’s most repeated self-description in the Quran is as Ar-Rahman and Ar-Rahim.
- Ar-Rahman signifies universal mercy, while Ar-Rahim signifies special mercy for believers.
- The hadith of mercy’s hundred parts and the mother-child example illustrate Allah’s vast compassion.
- Allah’s mercy must be balanced with awareness of punishment, repentance, and personal accountability.
- Believers attain special mercy by asking forgiveness, doing good, obeying Allah and His Messenger, and showing mercy to creation.
In the khateeb's words
“He is the absolutely merciful. He is the especially merciful. Almost every chapter of the Quran begins with, in the name of Allah, Ar-Rahman Ar-Rahim.”
“Allah is more merciful to His servants than this woman is to her child. Allah is more merciful to you than your mother could ever be towards you.”
“There are no sins that are too numerous or too great for Ar-Rahman and Ar-Rahim to forgive.”
“Be merciful to yourselves. Be merciful to your families. Be merciful to your neighbors and all of Allah's creation.”
For the dinner table
The khutbah teaches that Allah wants us to know Him as Ar-Rahman and Ar-Rahim, the Absolutely Merciful and Especially Merciful. His mercy is greater than anything we experience from other people, and no sin is too great for sincere repentance. At the same time, we should not use mercy as an excuse to keep doing wrong or forget that Allah holds people accountable. We can seek His special mercy by asking forgiveness, doing good, obeying Him and His Messenger, and treating everyone around us with mercy.
- Where have you noticed mercy from Allah or from someone in your family this week?
- What is one merciful action you could take toward a sibling, friend, neighbor, or animal?
- How can we ask Allah for forgiveness without giving up hope?
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