Allah is "Ar-Rahman" (The Most Merciful) and "Ar-Rahim" (The Most Compassionate). These attributes of Allah indicate that no matter how sinful a man may be, if he sincerely repents and seek forgiveness of Allah with solemn pledge not to repeat one's sins or wrongdoings, Allah in all His mercy promises to forgive.
However, those who persist in disobedience of laws defined by Allah, associate others in His Divinity (committing of shirk) and continue to hurt others, take control of their possessions will not be forgiven and will be allowed a time barred latitude after which they will be subjected to the wrath of Allah.
Prophet Muhammad ﷺ also cautions the believers in one of his mentioned in Sahi al-Bukhārī (Book 65 Prophetic Commentary on the Qur'an (Tafseer of the Prophet (pbuh)) / كتاب التفسير / Chapter 5: The Statement of Allah: "Such is the Seizure of your Lord when He seizes the (population of) towns while they are doing wrong. Verily, His Seizure is painful and severe." (V.11:102) / باب قَوْلِهِ {وَكَذَلِكَ أَخْذُ رَبِّكَ إِذَا أَخَذَ الْقُرَى وَهِيَ ظَالِمَةٌ إِنَّ أَخْذَهُ أَلِيمٌ شَدِيدٌ} ) as Hadith 4686, given herein under:
Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said, "Allah gives respite to the oppressor, but when He takes him over, He never releases him." Then he recited:-- "Such is the seizure of your Lord when He seizes (population of) towns in the midst of their wrong: Painful indeed, and severe is His seizure.' (11.102)
وَكَذَٰلِكَ أَخْذُ رَبِّكَ إِذَآ أَخَذَ ٱلْقُرَىٰ وَهِىَ ظَـٰلِمَةٌ ۚ إِنَّ أَخْذَهُۥٓ أَلِيمٌۭ شَدِيدٌ
Such is the ˹crushing˺ grip of your Lord when He seizes the societies entrenched in wrongdoing. Indeed, His grip is ˹terribly˺ painful and severe. (Surah 11. Hud verse 102)
Arabic Text:
حَدَّثَنَا صَدَقَةُ بْنُ الْفَضْلِ، أَخْبَرَنَا أَبُو مُعَاوِيَةَ، حَدَّثَنَا بُرَيْدُ بْنُ أَبِي بُرْدَةَ، عَنْ أَبِي بُرْدَةَ، عَنْ أَبِي مُوسَى ـ رضى الله عنه ـ قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم " إِنَّ اللَّهَ لَيُمْلِي لِلظَّالِمِ حَتَّى إِذَا أَخَذَهُ لَمْ يُفْلِتْهُ ". قَالَ ثُمَّ قَرَأَ {وَكَذَلِكَ أَخْذُ رَبِّكَ إِذَا أَخَذَ الْقُرَى وَهْىَ ظَالِمَةٌ إِنَّ
أَخْذَهُ أَلِيمٌ شَدِيدٌ}
Such like warnings abound in Qur'an and hadiths. These are to caution those who disobey Allah and create unrest in the world or are transgressors to the extent of making it difficult for others to breathe. If we look around, we will find such people abound and continue to live as per their own liking, completely oblivious of the limited time afforded to them to repent. And those who do not, one day the worst wrath of Allah befalls on them unannounced.
While Allah is merciful, He is also just. Those who persist in wrongdoing without repentance will face consequences, either in this life or the hereafter. The balance between mercy and justice ensures that while forgiveness is available, accountability is inevitable for those who do not repent.
"This is for what your own hands have sent before [to the Judgment], and because Allah is not ever unjust to His servants." Quran 3:182
Remember, Allah may forgive those who are slack or lazy in carrying out their personal obligations to Allah, except shirk. But those who hurt others unduly, will not be forgiven unless those who are wronged forgive them. This is like a ruler usurping public money and stuffing these in his coffers for his personal use will not be forgiven unless he returns the money of the people and seek their forgiveness. Such rulers and demagogues are being warned here.
If we are among such people, let us make good our loss by seeking forgiveness from those whom we have wronged, making good their losses, and then earnestly repent and seek Divine forgiveness. Remember, no one knows how much time he is left with!
May Allāh (سبحانه و تعالى) help us understand Qur'ān and follow the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, which is embodiment of commandments of Allah contained in the Qur'ān. May Allah help us to be like the ones He loves and let our lives be lived helping others and not making others' lives miserable or unlivable. May all our wrong doings, whether intentional or unintentional, be forgiven before the angel of death knocks on our door.
وَمَا عَلَيۡنَاۤ اِلَّا الۡبَلٰغُ الۡمُبِيۡنُ
(36:17) and our duty is no more than to clearly convey the Message.”
That is Our duty is only to convey to you the message that Allah has entrusted us with. Then it is for you to accept it or reject it. We have not been made responsible for making you accept it forcibly, and if you do not accept it, we shall not be seized in consequence of your disbelief, you will yourselves be answerable for your actions on Day of Resurrection.
May Allah forgive me if my posts ever imply a piety far greater than I possess. I am most in need of guidance.
Reading the Qur'ān should be a daily obligation of a Muslim - Reading it with translation will make it meaningful. But reading its Exegesis / Tafsir will make you understand it fully. It will also help the Muslims to have grasp over social issues and their answers discussed in the Qur'an and other matter related to inter faith so that they are able to discuss issues with non-Muslims with authority based on refences from Qur'an.
Note: When we mention God in our posts, we mean One True God, we call Allah in Islam, with no associates. Allah is the Sole Creator of all things, and that Allah is all-powerful and all-knowing. Allah has no offspring, no race, no gender, no body, and is unaffected by the characteristics of human life.
Disclaimer: The material for this post has been collected from the references as given above. If anyone differs with the material contained in this post, one may consult the references and their authors. If someone has more material about the subject, he/she is most welcome to share in the comments box to make the post all encompassing.
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