HH Winning Paper #2
*The following paper is one of the winning papers from the past Heavenly Hues class written by Sr. Nimat and Sr. Mona. Sr. Erum’s paper was previously posted here.
Hope of Mercy, Fear of Punishment:
The Wings of the Bird
Fear and hope are two of the most powerful emotions of a human being. In Islam, a Muslim is required to have a balance between fear and hope in order to succeed in this life and in the hereafter. A Muslim must be hopeful of Allah’s mercy, yet at the same time, fearful of His punishment. Ibn al-Qayyim gives a beautiful example of this concept when he says: “The heart is like a bird. Love is its head, and its two wings are hope and fear.” A bird cannot survive without its head, so love of Allah is the most important feeling. Then there should be a balance between hope and fear. If one outweighs the other, the bird will inevitably fall. Although the feelings of hope and fear should be balanced, the Prophet Sall Allahu Alayhi Wa Sallam said, “When Allah completed the creation, He wrote in His Book which is with Him on His Throne, ‘My Mercy overpowers My Anger.’ These two concepts, mercy and punishment, are mentioned in various parts of the Quran.
There are several topics in the Quran concerning the mercy of Allah. Allah talks about those who earn the mercy of Allah, those whom continued to transgress despite the mercy of Allah, and the corrupt state of people if it was not for the mercy of Allah. These various concepts can be summarized by the letters in the word MERCY.
The M in mercy stands for the different kinds of people that earn Allah’s mercy such as the Muhsinoon, Mujahidoon, Muminoon and the martyrs. As for the martyrs, Allah says in the Quran, “And if ye are slain, or die, in the way of Allah, forgiveness and mercy from Allah are far better than all they could amass.” (3:157). For the Muminoon, Allah says in the Quran, “Then those who believe in Allah, and hold fast to Him, soon will He admit them to mercy and grace from Himself, and guide them to Himself by a straight way.” (4:175). Another group of people that earn Allah’s mercy are the Mujahidoon who fight for the sake of Allah. Allah says about them in the Quran, “Those who believed and those who suffered exile and fought (and strove and struggled) in the path of Allah, they have the hope of the mercy of Allah. And Allah is Oft-forgiving, most Merciful.” (2:218). The Muhsinoon, those who excel in the worship Allah are also amongst those who earn Allah’s mercy. Allah mentions them in the Quran, “… surely Allah’s mercy is ever near unto the Muhsinoon (good doers).” (7:56)
The E in mercy stands for those engaged in the obedience of Allah. Obeying Allah means doing what He has made obligatory, avoiding what He has prohibited, and following the footsteps of the Prophet. Allah mentions these people in the Quran, “And obey Allah and the Messenger. That ye may obtain mercy.” (3:132)
The R in mercy stands for those who repent to Allah. Allah says in the Quran, “Except those who repent and make amends and openly declare (the Truth): To them I turn; for I am Oft-returning, Most Merciful.”(2:160). Repentance itself is one of Allah’s many mercies upon man. If our sins were written in stone and there was no way to erase those sins, all mankind would be in ruin.
The C in mercy stands for the charity that is regularly practiced alongside establishing the Salah. Allah says in the Quran, “But when the forbidden months are past, then fight and slay the Pagans wherever ye find them, an seize them, beleaguer them, and lie in wait for them in every stratagem (of war); but if they repent, and establish regular prayers and practice regular charity, then open the way for them: for Allah is Oft-forgiving, Most Merciful.” (9:5) Contrary to the typical belief that charity is only through money, Allah has made it easy upon us by giving us simple ways to give charity. A smile is charity. Helping a brother is charity. Removing something harmful from the path is charity. And the list goes on. These forms of charity and more will be rewarded by the Mercy of Allah.
The Y, the last letter in the word mercy, stands for those people that yearn and hope for the mercy of Allah. Allah mentions these people in the verse, “… they have the hope of the mercy of Allah. And Allah is Oft-forgiving, Most Merciful.” (2:218). This goes back to the point made earlier. As Muslims, we should yearn and hope for the mercy of Allah, because Allah is the Most Merciful.
Just as there are various topics in the Quran concerning the mercy of Allah, there are several topics in the Quran concerning the punishment of Allah. Allah talks about those who earn the punishment of Allah, and the previous generations whom have ignored the signs of Allah and were punished because of this. These topics can be summarized by the letters in the word PUNISHMENT.
The P in the word punishment represents the previous tribes who were punished by Allah due to their ignorance and transgression. The punishments of the previous tribes are an example and lesson to the Ummah of today. Allah says in the Quran, “So We made it an example to their own time and to their posterity and a lesson to those who fear Allah.” (2:66). The previous nations of Hud, Lut, Shu’ayb, and Salih were punished severely by Allah for their sins and disobedience of the Messengers of Allah that were sent to them. These tribes openly turned away from the Allah; consequently, they were destroyed. Allah uses these examples of previous generations to warn those who fear Allah.
The U in punishment represents those who will be punished due to the ungratefulness of the blessings of Allah. Allah mentions in the Quran, “And remember! Your Lord caused to be declared (publicly): “If ye are grateful, I will add more (favors) unto you; but if ye show ingratitude, truly my punishment is terrible indeed.” (14:7). Allah uses the word “kufr” in this ayah to mean ungratefulness and ingratitude because being unthankful to Allah for His blessing is a type of Kufr or disbelief, and those who are ungrateful will be severely punished.
The N in punishment represents those who neglect the faith and signs of Allah. Allah says in the Quran, “But those who reject Faith and belie our signs, they shall be companions of the Fire; they shall abide therein.” (2:39). The countless signs of Allah are evident everywhere, yet people still turn away from these signs and reject the belief in Allah.
The I in punishment represent the children of Israel and their ongoing transgression against Allah. Allah mentions their continuous errors in numerous ayahs in the Quran. One of these ayahs says, “Ask the Children of Israel how many clear (Signs) We have sent them. But if any one, after Allah’s favor has come to him, substitutes (something else), Allah is strict in punishment.” (2:211). The Bani Israel were given chance after chance. They witnessed some of the greatest miracles of Allah. However, despite all of this, they turned away from the belief in Allah, and Allah punished them severely.
The S in punishment represents the punishment of those who stray from the path of Allah. Allah says in the Quran, “If any men go astray, ((Allah)) Most Gracious extends (the rope) to them, until, when they see the warning of Allah (being fulfilled) – either in punishment or in (the approach of) the Hour, they will at length realize who is worst in position, and (who) weakest in forces! (19:75).
The H in punishment represents the habitual sinning of the people. Allah says in the Quran, “And Pharaoh, and those before him, and the Cities Overthrown, committed habitual Sin.” (69:9). As mentioned above, the people of the pharaoh and the people before them were overthrown and punished by Allah because they persisted in their sins, even after they were shown miracles and signs of Allah.
The M in punishment represents the Munafiqoon (hypocrites) who will receive the most severe of punishment from Allah. Allah says in the Quran, “They shall have a curse on them: whenever they are found, they shall be seized and slain (without mercy).” (33:61). The munafiqoon will be punished in this world and in the hereafter. They will try to trick Allah, but in reality, Allah will be the One to trick them by giving them the worst punishment.
The E in punishment represents those who exceed the limits of Allah. Exceeding the limits of Allah means to do that which Allah has made haram. Allah mentions them in the ayah, “O ye who believe! The law of equality is prescribed to you in cases of murder: the free for the free, the slave for the slave, the woman for the woman. But if any remission is made by the brother of the slain, then grant any reasonable demand, and compensate him with handsome gratitude, this is a concession and a mercy from your Lord. After this whoever exceeds the limits shall be in grave penalty.” (2:178).
The N in punishment represents the niggards, the people who are stingy with their money. Those people who hold on tightly to their money and avoid spending in the way of Allah will receive a great punishment from Allah. Allah says in the Quran, “(Nor) those who are niggardly or enjoin niggardliness on others, or hide the bounties which Allah hath bestowed on them; for we have prepared, for those who resist Faith, a punishment that steeps them in contempt.” (4:37)
The T in punishment represents the Thalimoon, the transgressors against Allah. Allah says in the Quran, “When they disregarded the warnings that had been given them, We rescued those who forbade Evil; but We visited the wrong-doers with a grievous punishment because they were given to transgression”. (19:75).
This is just a brief glimpse at the concepts of mercy and punishment in the Quran. In order to understand the vastness of these two concepts, one must study the numerous verses of the Quran that talk about the Mercy and Punishment of Allah. Allah wants us to know about His mercy and punishment so that we can excel in worshipping Him. Allah says in the Quran, “Inform My servants that I am The Most Forgiving, Most Merciful. And inform My servants that My punishment is the most severe punishment.” (15:49-50). This is a reminder for us to hope for Allah’s Mercy while fearing His punishment.
Erum
May 9, 2008
MashaAllah — this is really creative and beneficial!! Great job!
Amatullah
May 9, 2008
I love this paper mashaAllah!
darthvaider
May 11, 2008
masha’Allah this paper’s really good. The creativity is very apparent :)