The Beautiful and Magnificent Names of Allah (SWT)
“The Most Beautiful Names belong to Him. Whatever is in the heavens and the earth glorifies Him. He is the Majestic, the Wise.” (59:24)
Only Allah (SWT) is worthy of all praises, holiness, virtues, and glories. His magnanimity is constantly proclaimed by all of His creations. The all-embracing power, sovereignty, blessing, mercy, forgiveness, and generosity of Allah (SWT) surround all creations. His eternal blessings and favors are being showered on them continuously. Allah (SWT) has described Himself in the Qur’an by His names and attributes. Muslims believe that “dhikr” (remembrance) of these names and attributes of Allah (SWT) is one of the most effective means of meditation for purifying their hearts, the salvation of their souls, and getting His pleasure and closeness. Regular remembrance of His names and attributes grows love for Him, brings peace and tranquility to the mind, and aids in living a devout life. Allah (SWT) says: “Hearts find serenity in the remembrance of Him.” (13:28)
Ninety-nine superlative names of Allah (SWT) that express His absolute qualities par excellence are mentioned in many verses of the Holy Qur’an. These beautiful names are known as ‘Asma-ul-Husna’. All these names manifest his virtues and attributes. Two hadiths as mentioned below show the significance of the names of Allah (SWT) wherein Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) said that whoever memorizes them will enter Paradise. The Hadiths are: “Allah has ninety-nine names, one hundred minus one, and whoever knows them will go to Paradise.” (Sahih Bukhari 50:894). “Verily, Allah is singular (He is one, and it is an odd number) and He loves odd numbers.” (Hadith: 5, Sahih Muslim Book-48). And the same Hadith in the narration of Ibn ‘Umar () added different words: “he who reckoned them.” (Sahih Muslim). These names are given in the chart below:
The verses on this topic are cited below:
تَبَارَكَ اسْمُ رَبِّكَ ذِى الْجَلَالِ وَالْاِكْرَامِ
“Blessed be the name of your Lord, Full of Majesty, Bounty and Splendor.” (55:78)
اَللهُ لَا اِلٰهَ اِلَّا هُوَ لَهُ الْاَسْمَآءُ الْحُسْنٰى
“Allah, there is no god but He! To Him belong the most Beautiful Names.” (20:8)
وَلِلّٰهِ الْاَسْمَآءُ الْحُسْنٰى فَادْعُوْهُ بِهَا وَذَرُوْا الَّذِيْنَ يُلْحِدُوْنَ فِىْ اَسْمَآئِه سَيُجْزَوْنَ مَا كَانُوْا يَعْمَلُوْنَ
“The most beautiful names are for Allah. so, call on him by those names, but shun those who make blasphemy in his names: for what they do, they will soon be requited.” (7:180)
قُلِ ادْعُوا اللّٰهَ اَوِ ادْعُوا الرَّحْمٰنَ ؕ اَیًّامَّا تَدْعُوْا فَلَهُ الْاَسْمَآءُ الْحُسْنٰی…
“Say: ‘Call upon Allah, or call upon Rahman: by whatever name you call upon Him, (it is well): for to Him belong the Most Beautiful Names’……..” (17:110)
هُوَ اللهُ الَّذِىْ لَاۤ اِلٰهَ اِلَّا هُوَ عٰلِمُ الْغَيْبِ وَالشَّهٰدَةِ هُوَ الرَّحْمٰنُ الرَّحِيْمُ هُوَ اللهُ الَّذِىْ لَاۤ اِلٰهَ اِلَّا هُوَ الْمَلِكُ الْقُدُّوْسُ السَّلٰمُ الْمُؤْمِنَ المُهَيْمِنَ العَزِيْزُ الْجَبَّارُ الْمُتَكَبِّرُ سُبْحٰنَ اللهِ عَمَّا يُشْرِكُوْنَ هُوَ اللهُ الْخٰلِقُ الْبَارِئُ الْمُصَوِّرُ لَهُ الْاَسْمَآءُ الْحُسْنٰى يُسَبِّحُ لَه مَا فِى السَّمٰوٰتِ وَالْاَرْضِ وَهُوَ الْعَزِيْزُ الْحَكِيْمُ
“He is Allah, there is none worthy of worship but He, the Knower of open and secrets. He is the Compassionate, the Merciful. He is Allah; besides Him there is no god; the Sovereign, the Holy, the Peace-Giver, the Faith-Giver, the Overseer, the Almighty, the Omnipotent, the Overwhelming. Glory be to Allah, (He is pure from) what they associate with Him. He is Allah; the Creator, the Maker, the Designer. He belongs to the Most Beautiful Names. Whatever is in the heavens and the earth glorifies Him. He is the Majestic, the Wise.” (59:22 – 24)
وَهُوَ الْغَفُوْرُ الْوَدُوْدُ ذُوالْعَرْشِ الْمَجِيْدُ
“And He is the Oft-Forgiving, Full of Loving-Kindness, Lord of the Throne of Glory,” (85:14 – 15)
هُوَ الْاَوَّلُ وَالْاٰخِرُ وَالظّٰهِرُ وَالْبَاطِنُ وَهُوَ بِكُلِّ شَىْءٍ عَلِيْمٌ
“He is the First and the Last, and the Outer and the Inner, and He has knowledge of all things.” (57:3)
اَلَّذِیْنَ اٰمَنُوْا وَ تَطْمَئِنُّ قُلُوْبُهُمْ بِذِکْرِ اللّٰهِ ؕ اَلَا بِذِکْرِ اللّٰهِ تَطْمَئِنُّ الْقُلُوْبُ
“Those who believe, and whose hearts find serenity in the remembrance of Allah – For it is without doubt by the remembrance of Allah do hearts find gratification.” (13:28)
وَلِلّٰهِ الْاَسْمَآءُ الْحُسْنٰى فَادْعُوْهُ بِهَا وَذَرُوْا الَّذِيْنَ يُلْحِدُوْنَ فِىْ اَسْمَآئِه سَيُجْزَوْنَ مَا كَانُوْا يَعْمَلُوْنَ
“The most beautiful names are for Allah. So, call on him by those names, but shun those who make blasphemy in his names: for what they do, they will soon be requited.” (7:180)
Asma-ul-Husna: 99 Names of Allah (SWT)
| 1. الرَّحْمَنُ – – The Com-passionate | 2. الرَّحِيمُ – The All-Merciful | 3. الْمَلِكُ – The Absolute Ruler | |
| 4. الْقُدُّوسُ – The Pure One | 5. السَّلاَمُ – The Source of Peace | 6. الْمُؤْمِنُ – The Inspirer of Faith | |
| 7. الْمُهَيْمِنُ – The Guar-dian | 8. الْعَزِيزُ – The Victorious | 9. الْجَبَّارُ – The Compeller | |
| 10. الْمُتَكَبِّرُ – The Great-est | 11. الْخَالِقُ – The Creator | 12. الْبَارِئُ – The Originator | |
| 13. الْمُصَوِّرُ ُ – The Fashioner | 14. الْغَفَّارُ – The Forgiving | 15. الْقَهَّارُ – The Stringent | |
| 16. الْوَهَّابُ – The Giver of All | 17. الرَّزَّاقُ – The Sustainer | 18. الْفَتَّاحُ – The Opener | |
| 19. اَلْعَلِيْمُ – The All-Knowing | 20. الْقَابِضُ – The Narrower | 21. الْبَاسِطُ – The Extender | |
| 22. الْخَافِضُ – The Abaser | 23. الرَّافِعُ – The Exalter | 24. الْمُعِزُّ – The Bestower of Honors | |
| 25. المُذِلُّ – The Humiliator | 26. السَّمِيعُ – The All-Hearing | 27. الْبَصِيرُ – The All-Seeing | |
| 28. الْحَكَمُ – The Judge | 29. الْعَدْلُ – The Just | 30. اللَّطِيفُ – The Subtle One | |
| 31. الْخَبِيرُ – The All-Aware/Abreast | 32. الْحَلِيمُ – The Forbearing | 33. الْعَظِيمُ – The Most Prestigious | |
| 34. الْغَفُورُ – The Forgiver and Hider of Faults | 35. الشَّكُورُ – The Appreciator/Rewarder | 36. الْعَلِيُّ – The Highest | |
| 37. الْكَبِيرُ – The Greatest | 38. الْحَفِيظُ – The Preserver | 39. المُقيِت – The Nourisher | |
| 40. الْحسِيبُ – The Reckoner | 41. الْجَلِيلُ – The Mighty/ Majestic | 42. الْكَرِيمُ – The Most Generous | |
| 43. الرَّقِيبُ – The Watchful One | 44. الْمُجِيبُ – The Responsive | 45. الْوَاسِعُ – The All- Embracing | |
| 46. الْحَكِيمُ – The Perfectly Wise | 47. الْوَدُودُ – The Loving One | 48. الْمَجِيدُ – The Majestic One | |
| 49. الْبَاعِثُ – The Resurrector | 50. الشَّهِيدُ – The Witness | 51. الْحَقُّ – The Absolute Truth | |
| 52. الْوَكِيلُ – The Trustee | 53. الْقَوِيُّ – The All-Powerful | 54. الْمَتِينُ – The Most Stable/Forceful | |
| 55. الْوَلِيُّ – The Governor | 56. الْحَمِيدُ – Worthy of All- Praises | 57. الْمُحْصِي – The Appraiser | |
| 58. الْمُبْدِئُ – The Originator | 59. الْمُعِيدُ – The Restorer | 60. الْمُحْيِي – The Giver of Life | |
| 61. اَلْمُمِيتُ – The Taker of Life | 62. الْحَيُّ – The Ever-Living | 63. الْقَيُّومُ – The Sustainer/The Self-Subsisting | |
| 64. الْوَاجِدُ – – – The Perceiver | 65. الْمَاجِدُ – -The Glorious | 66. الْواحِدُ – –The Unique/ The Single | |
| 67. اَلاَحَدُ – -The One, The Indivisible | 68. الصَّمَدُ – – The Independent/ beyond all needs | 69. الْقَادِرُ – The All Powerful | |
| 70. الْمُقْتَدِرُ – The Omnipotent | 71. الْمُقَدِّمُ – The Expediter | 72. الْمُؤَخِّرُ – The Delayer/Respite-Giver | |
| 73. الأوَّلُ – The First | 74. الآخِرُ – The Last/ Eternal | 75. الظَّاهِرُ – The Manifest One | |
| 76. الْبَاطِنُ – The Hidden One | 77. الْوَالِي – The Patron | 78. الْمُتَعَالِي – The Self Exalted/Supreme | |
| 79. الْبَرُّ – The Doer of Good/The Benefactor | 80. التَّوَابُ – The Pardoner and Granter of Repentance | 81. الْمُنْتَقِمُ – The Avenger | |
| 82. العَفُوُّ – The Forgiver | 83. الرَّؤُوفُ – The Most Caring/ Clement | 84. مَالِكُ الْمُلْكِ – Master of the Kingdoms | |
| 85. ذُوالْجَلاَلِ وَالإكْرَامِ – The Lord of Majesty and Generosity | 86. الْمُقْسِطُ – The Equitable, the Requiter | 87. الْجَامِعُ – The Gatherer/Mobilizer | |
| 88 الْغَنِيُّ – The Richest | 89. الْمُغْنِي – The Enricher | 90. ا اَلْمَانِعُ – The Preventer of Harm | |
| 91. الضَّارَّ – The Dem-ager | 92. النَّافِعُ – The Most Benefactor | 93. النُّورُ – The Light | |
| 94. الْهَادِي – The Guide | 95. الْبَدِيعُ – The Incomparable Originator | 96. اَلْبَاقِي – The Ever-lasting/Eternal | |
| 97. الْوَارِثُ – The Inheritor of All | 98. الرَّشِيدُ – The Righteous Guide | 99. الصَّبُورُ – The Most Patient | |
Glory, Praises, Purity and Virtues of Allah (SWT)
سُبْحٰنَه وَتَعٰلٰى عَمَّا يَقُوْلُوْنَ عُلُوًّا كَبِيْرًا تُسَبِّحُ لَهُ السَّمٰوٰتُ السَّبْعُ وَالْاَرْضُ وَمَنْ فِیْهِنَّ ؕ وَاِنْ مِّنْ شَیْءٍ اِلَّا یُسَبِّحُ بِحَمْدِہٖ وَلٰكِنْ لَّا تَفْقَهُوْنَ تَسْبِیْحَهُمْ ؕ اِنَّہٗ كَانَ حَلِیْمًا غَفُوْرًا
“Be He (Allah) glorified. He is exalted, far above what they say. Praising Him are the seven heavens, and the earth, and everyone in them. There is not a thing that does not glorify Him with praise, but you do not understand their praises. He is indeed Forbearing and Forgiving.” (17:43 – 44)
بِسْمِ اللهِ الرَّحْمٰنِ الرَّحِيْمِ اَلْحَمْدُ لِلّٰهِ رَبِّ الْعٰلَمِيْنَ اَلرَّحْمٰنِ الرَّحِيْمِ مٰلِكِ يَوْمِ الدِّيْنِ
“In the name of Allah, the Gracious, the Merciful. All Praises be to Allah, Lord of the Worlds – The Most-Gracious and the Most-Merciful, the Master of the Day of Judgement.” (1:1 – 4)
اَلْحَمْدُ لِلّٰهِ الَّذِىْ خَلَقَ السَّمٰوٰتِ وَالْاَرْضَ وَجَعَلَ الظُّلُمٰتِ وَالنُّوْرَ ثُمَّ الَّذِيْنَ كَفَرُوْا بِرَبِّهِمْ يَعْدِلُوْنَ هُوَ الَّذِىْ خَلَقَكُمْ مِّن طِيْنٍ ثُمَّ قَضٰىۤ اَجَلًا ط وَاَجَلٌ مُّسَمًّى عِنْدَه ثُمَّ اَنْتُمْ تَمْتَرُوْنَ وَهُوَ اللهُ فِى السَّمٰوٰتِ وَفِى الْاَرْضِ يَعْلَمُ سِرَّكُمْ وَجَهْرَكُمْ وَيَعْلَمُ مَا تَكْسِبُوْنَ
“All Praises be to Allah, Who created the heavens and the earth, and made the darkness and the light. Yet those who disbelieve ascribe equals to their Lord.” (6:1)
سَبَّحَ لِلّٰهِ مَا فِى السَّمٰوٰتِ وَالْاَرْضِۚ وَهُوَ الْعَزِيْزُ الْحَكِيْمُ
“Everything in the heavens and the earth praises Allah. He is the Almighty, the Wise.” (57:1), (59:1), (61:1)
قُلْ لَّوْ كَانَ الْبَحْرُ مِدَادًا لِّكَلِمٰتِ رَبِّىْ لَنَفِدَ الْبَحْرُ قَبْلَ اَنْ تَنْفَدَ كَلِمٰتُ رَبِّىْ وَلَوْ جِئْنَا بِمِثْلِه مَدَدًا
“Say, If the ocean were ink for (writing) the words (praises, glories, virtues and attributes) of my Lord, the ocean would run out, before the words of my Lord end, even if one more like that is brought to supplement it.” (18:109)
يُسَبِّحُ لِلّٰهِ مَا فِى السَّمٰوٰتِ وَمَا فِى الْاَرْضِۚ الْمَلِكِ الْقُدُّوْسِ الْعَزِيْزِ الْحَكِيْمِ
“Everything in the heavens and the earth glorifies Allah the Sovereign, the Holy, the Almighty, the Wise.” (62:1)
اَلَمْ تَرَ اَنَّ اللهَ يُسَبِّحُ لَه مَنْ فِى السَّمٰوٰتِ وَالْاَرْضِۚ وَالطَّيْرُ صٰٓفّٰتٍ كُلٌّ قَدْ عَلِمَ صَلَاتَه وَتَسْبِيْحَه ط وَاللهُ عَلِيْمٌۢ بِمَا يَفْعَلُوْنَ
“Do you not see that Allah is glorified by whatever is in the heavens and the earth, and even by the flying birds spreading their wings? Each knows its mode of prayer and its manner of praise. Allah knows well what they do.” (24:41)
اَلْحَمْدُ لِلّٰهِ الَّذِىْ لَه مَا فِى السَّمٰوٰتِ وَمَا فِى الْاَرْضِ وَلَهُ الْحَمْدُ فِى الْاٰخِرَةِ وَهُوَ الْحَكِيْمُ الْخَبِيْرُ
“All Praises be to Allah, to Whom belongs everything in the heavens and the earth; and praise be to Him in the Hereafter. He is the Wise, the Abreast.” (34:1)
وَلَئِنْ سَاَلْتَهُمْ مَّنْ خَلَقَ السَّمٰوٰتِ وَالْاَرْضَ لَيَقُوْلُنَّ اللهُ قُلِ الْحَمْدُ لِلّٰهِ بَلْ اَكْثَرُهُمْ لَا يَعْلَمُوْنَ لِلّٰهِ مَا فِى السَّمٰوٰتِ وَالْاَرْضِ اِنَّ اللهَ هُوَ الْغَنِىُّ الْحَمِيْدُ وَلَوْ اَنَّمَا فِى الْاَرْضِ مِنْ شَجَرَةٍ اَقْلَامٌ وَالْبَحْرُ يَمُدُّه مِنْ ۢ بَعْدِه سَبْعَةُ اَبْحُرٍ مَّا نَفِدَتْ كَلِمٰتُ اللهِ ط اِنَّ اللهَ عَزِيْزٌ حَكِيْمٌ
“And if you ask them, ‘Who created the heavens and the earth?’ They will say, ‘Allah.’ Say, ‘All Praises be to Allah.’ But most of them do not know. To Allah belongs everything in the heavens and the earth. Allah is the Rich, the Praised. If all the trees on earth were pens, filled by the ocean, with seven more oceans besides, the Words of Allah would not end Allah is Majestic and Wise.” (31:25 – 27)
دَعْوٰىهُمْ فِيْهَا سُبْحٰنَكَ اَللّٰهُمَّ وَتَحِيَّتُهُمْ فِيْهَا سَلٰمٌ ط وَاٰخِرُ دَعْوٰىهُمْ اَنِ الْحَمْدُ لِلّٰهِ رَبِّ الْعٰلَمِيْنَ
“Their prayer therein (Jannah) is, ‘Glory be to You, our Allah.’ And their greeting therein is, ‘Peace.’ And their prayer ends with, ‘All Praises be to Allah, Lord of the Worlds!’.” (10;10)
تَبٰرَكَ الَّذِىْ بِيَدِهِ الْمُلْكُ وَهُوَ عَلٰى كُلِّ شَىْءٍ قَدِيْرٌ
“Blessed is He in whose hand is sovereignty, and Who has power over everything.” (67:1 – 2)
سُبْحٰنَ رَبِّكَ رَبِّ الْعِزَّةِ عَمَّا يَصِفُوْنَ وَسَلٰمٌ عَلَى الْمُرْسَلِيْنَ وَالْحَمْدُ لِلّٰهِ رَبِّ الْعٰلَمِيْنَ
“Exalted be your Lord, the Lord of all honors, is pure from what they attribute in Him. And peace be upon the Messengers. And praise be to Allah, the Lord of the Universe.” (37:180 – 182)
فَلِلّٰهِ الْحَمْدُ رَبِّ السَّمٰوٰتِ وَرَبِّ الْاَرْضِ رَبِّ الْعٰلَمِيْنَ وَلَهُ الْكِبْرِيَآءُ فِى السَّمٰوٰتِ وَالْاَرْضِ ط وَهُوَ الْعَزِيْزُ الْحَكِيْمُ
“So, All Praises belong to Allah; Lord of the heavens, Lord of the earth, Lord of universe. To Him belongs all Majesty in the heavens and the earth. He is the Mighty, the Wise.” (45:36 – 37)
يُسَبِّحُ لِلّٰهِ مَا فِى السَّمٰوٰتِ وَمَا فِى الْاَرْضِ ج لَهُ الْمُلْكُ وَلَهُ الْحَمْدُ وَهُوَ عَلٰى كُلِّ شَىْءٍ قَدِيْرٌ
“Everything in the heavens and the earth glorifies Allah. To Him belongs the Kingdoms, and to Him all praise is due, and He is Mighty in every respect.” (64:1)
سُبْحٰنَ الَّذِیْ خَلَقَ الْاَزْوَاجَ کُلَّهَا مِمَّا تُنْۢبِتُ الْاَرْضُ وَ مِنْ اَنْفُسِهِمْ وَ مِمَّا لَا یَعْلَمُوْنَ
“Glory be to Him who created all the pairs; of what the earth produces, and of their own selves, and of what they do not know.” (36:36)
Allah (SWT): The Most Kind & Generous
“…. And if you were to count Allah’s blessings, you would not be able to count them.” (14:34)
The kindness and generosity of Allah (SWT) know no bounds. He is the kindest and most benevolent to his creations, especially mankind. His infinite blessings and favors are constantly bestowed upon them. Descriptions of such endowments are found in many verses of the Holy Qur’an. In particular, Surah No. 55- ‘AR-Rahman’, which consists of 78 verses, is a splendid example of the description of the blessings and favors of Allah (SWT) upon Jinn and Mankind. The captivating verses of this surah depict the generosity of Allah (SWT), wherein one reminding verse repeatedly asks humans and Jinn: “So, which of your Lord’s favors will you deny?” The blessings and favors of Allah (SWT) are meant for this world and for the hereafter. But the endowments of the hereafter are much more precious and incomparable. Worldly favors are available to all, but the rewards of the hereafter are reserved only for those who believe in Him and obey Him.
The verses related to the above topic are cited below:
فَبِاَىِّ اٰلَآءِ رَبِّكُمَا تُكَذِّبَانِ
“Then which of the favors of your Lord will you deny?” (55:13)
اَلرَّحْمٰنُ عَلَّمَ الْقُرْاٰنَ ؕ خَلَقَ الْاِنْسَانَ عَلَّمَهُ الْبَیَانَ اَلشَّمْسُ وَالْقَمَرُ بِحُسْبَانٍ وَالنَّجْمُ وَالشَّجَرُ یَسْجُدٰنِ وَالسَّمَآءَ رَفَعَهَا وَوَضَعَ الْمِیْزَانَ اَلَّا تَطْغَوْا فِی الْمِیْزَانِ
“The Compassionate One – He has taught the Qur’an. He created humans. He taught him a mode of clear expression (speech). The sun and the moon follow courses (exactly) computed; and the stars and the trees both (alike) bow in adoration. And He has raised the Firmament high, and He set up the balance. So that may not transgress in the (due) balance.” (55:1 – 8)
يَخْتَصُّ بِرَحْمَتِه مَنْ يَّشَآءُ وَاللهُ ذُو الْفَضْلِ الْعَظِيْمِ
“For His Mercy, He specially chooses whom He pleases; for Allah is the Lord of bounties unbounded.” (3:74)
وَاِنْ تَعُدُّوْا نِعْمَةَ اللهِ لَا تُحْصُوْهَاۤ اِنَّ اللهَ لَغَفُوْرٌ رَّحِيْمٌ
“If you would count up the favors of Allah, never would you be able to number them: for Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.” (16:18)
وَالْاَرْضَ وَضَعَهَا لِلْاَنَامِ فِيْهَا فٰكِهَةٌ وَّالنَّخْلُ ذَاتُ الْاَكْمَامِ وَالْحَبُّ ذُوْالْعَصْفِ وَالرَّيْحَانُ فَبِاَىِّ اٰلَآءِ رَبِّكُمَا تُكَذِّبَانِ
“It is He Who has spread out the earth for (His) creatures: Therein are fruit and date-palms, producing spathes (enclosing dates); Also, corn with (its) leaves and stalk for fodder, and sweet-smelling plants. Then which of the favors of your Lord will you deny?” (55:10 – 13)
وَاللهُ جَعَلَ لَكُمْ مِّنْۢ بُيُوْتِكُمْ سَكَنًا وَّجَعَلَ لَكُمْ مِّنْ جُلُوْدِ الْاَنْعٰمِ بُيُوْتًا تَسْتَخِفُّوْنَهَا يَوْمَ ظَعْنِكُمْ وَيَوْمَ اِقَامَتِكُمْ لا وَمِنْ اَصْوَافِهَا وَاَوْبَارِهَا وَاَشْعَارِهَاۤ اَثَاثًا وَّمَتٰعًا اِلٰى حِيْنٍ وَّاللهُ جَعَلَ لَكُمْ مِّمَّا خَلَقَ ظِلٰلًا وَّجَعَلَ لَكُمْ مِّنَ الجِبَالِ اَكْنٰنًا وَّجَعَلَ لَكُمْ سَرٰبِيْلَ تَقِيْكُمُ الْحَرَّ وَسَرَابِيْلَ تَقِيْكُمْ بَاْسَكُمْ كَذٰلِكَ يُتِمُّ نِعْمَتَه عَلَيْكُمْ لَعَلَّكُمْ تُسْلِمُوْنَ
“It is Allah Who made your habitations homes of rest and quiet for you; and made for you, out of the skins of animals, (tents for) dwellings, which you find so light (and handy) when you travel and when you stop (for rest); and out of their wool, and their soft fur and their hair, rich stuff and articles of convenience (for your comfort) for a time. It is Allah Who made out of the things He created, some things to give you shade; of the hills He made some for your safe shelter; He made you garments to protect you from heat, and coats to protect you from your (mutual) violence. Thus, does He complete His favors on you, so that you may bow to His Will (in Islam).” (16:80 – 81)
رَّبُّكُمُ الَّذِىْ يُزْجِى لَكُمُ الْفُلْكَ فِى الْبَحْرِ لِتَبْتَغُوْا مِنْ فَضْلِه ط اِنَّه كَانَ بِكُمْ رَحِيْمًا
“Your Lord is He who propels for you the ships at sea, that you may seek His bounty. Verily He is towards you Most Merciful.” (17:66)
وَلَقَدْ كَرَّمْنَا بَنِىۤ اٰدَمَ وَحَمَلْنٰهُمْ فِى الْبَرِّ وَالْبَحْرِ وَرَزَقْنٰهُمْ مِّنَ الطَّيِّبٰتِ وَفَضَّلْنٰهُمْ عَلٰى كَثِيْرٍ مِّمَنْ خَلَقْنَا تَفْضِيْلًا
“We have honored the Children of Adam, and carried them on land and sea, and provided them with good things, and greatly favored them over many of those We created.” (17:70)
اَلَّذِىْ جَعَلَ لَكُمُ الْاَرْضَ مَهْدًا وَّسَلَكَ لَكُمْ فِيْهَا سُبُلًا وَّاَنْزَلَ مِنَ السَّمَآءِ مَآءً فَاَخْرَجْنَا بِه اَزْوٰجًا مِّنْ نَّبَاتٍ شَتّٰى كُلُوْا وَارْعَوْا اَنْعٰمَكُمْ ط اِنَّ فِىْ ذٰلِكَ لَاٰيٰتٍ لِّاُوْلِى النُّهٰى
“He who made the earth a bedding (comforter) for you; and traced in it routes for you; and sent down water from the sky, with which We produce pairs of diverse plants. Eat and pasture your livestock. In that are signs for those with understanding.” (20:53 – 54)
اِنَّ فِىْ خَلْقِ السَّمٰوٰتِ وَالْاَرْضِ وَاخْتِلَافِ الَّيْلِ وَالنَّهَارِ وَالْفُلْكِ الَّتِىْ تَجْرِىْ فِى الْبَحْرِ بِمَا يَنْفَعُ النَّاسَ وَمَاۤ اَنْزَلَ اللهُ مِنَ السَّمَآءِ مِنْ مَّآءٍ فَاَحْيَا بِهِ الْاَرْضَ بَعْدَ مَوْتِهَا وَبَثَّ فِيْهَا مِنْ كُلِّ دَآبَّةٍ وَتَصْرِيْفِ الرِّيٰحِ وَالسَّحَابِ الْمُسَخَّرِ بَيْنَ السَّمَآءِ وَالْاَرْضِ لَاٰيٰتٍ لِّقَوْمٍ يَّعْقِلُوْنَ
“Certainly, in the creation of the heavens and the earth; in the alternation of night and day; in the huge ships that sail in the oceans for the benefit of mankind; in the water that Allah sends down from the sky, and revives the earth with it after it had died, and in the spreading out all kinds of creatures in it; in the changing of the winds, and the clouds that floats between the sky and the earth by His command; are signs for people who understand.” (2:164)
وَ الْاَرْضَ مَدَدْنٰهَا وَاَلْقَیْنَا فِیْهَا رَوَاسِیَ وَاَنْۢبَتْنَا فِیْهَا مِنْ کُلِّ شَیْءٍ مَّوْزُوْنٍ وَجَعَلْنَا لَکُمْ فِیْهَا مَعَایِشَ وَمَنْ لَّسْتُمْ لَہٗ بِرٰزِقِیْنَ وَ اِنْ مِّنْ شَیْءٍ اِلَّا عِنْدَنَا خَزَآئِنُہٗ ۫ وَ مَا نُنَزِّلُہٗۤ اِلَّا بِقَدَرٍ مَّعْلُوْمٍ وَاَرْسَلْنَا الرِّیٰحَ لَوَاقِحَ فَاَنْزَلْنَا مِنَ السَّمَآءِ مَآءً فَاَسْقَیْنٰکُمُوْهُ ۚ وَمَاۤ اَنْتُمْ لَہٗ بِخٰزِنِیْنَ
“We have spread the earth, and placed stabilizers in it, and We grew all things in it in proper measure. And in it We created means of livelihoods for you, and for those for whom you are not the providers. We have treasures of all things with Us, and We send it down only in precise measure. We send the water-borne winds; and send down water from the sky, and give it to you to drink, and you are not the ones who have its treasure.” (15:19 – 22)
مَّا يَفْتَحِ اللهُ لِلنَّاسِ مِنْ رَّحْمَةٍ فَلَا مُمْسِكَ لَهَا وَمَا يُمْسِكْ فَلَا مُرْسِلَ لَه مِنۢ بَعْدِه وَهُوَ الْعَزِيْزُ الْحَكِيْمُ يٰۤاَيُّهَا النَّاسُ اذْكُرُوْا نِعْمَتَ اللهِ عَلَيْكُمْ هَلْ مِنْ خٰلِقٍ غَيْرُ اللهِ يَرْزُقُكُمْ مِّنَ السَّمَآءِ وَالْاَرْضِ لَاۤاِلٰهَ اِلَّا هُوَ فَاَنّٰى تُؤْفَكُوْنَ
“Whatever mercy Allah unfolds for the people; none can withhold it. And if He withholds it, none can release it thereafter. He is the Exalted in Power, Full of Wisdom. O people! Remember Allah’s blessings upon you. Is there a creator other than Allah who provides livelihood for you from heaven and the earth? There is no god but He. So how are you turning back?” (35:2 – 3)
فَانْظُرْ اِلٰۤی اٰثٰرِ رَحْمَتِ اللّٰهِ كَیْفَ یُحْیِ الْاَرْضَ بَعْدَ مَوْتِهَا
“So, observe the effects of Allah’s mercy—how He revives the earth after it was dead……..” (30:50)
قُلْ اَرَءَيْتُمْ اِنْ اَصْبَحَ مَاؤُكُمْ غَوْرًا فَمَنْ يَاْتِيْكُمْ بِمَاءٍ مَّعِيْنٍۭ
“Say, “Have you thought out that if your water is lost in a deep layer of the ground, who will provide you pure running water?” (67:30)
ذٰلِكَ بِاَنَّ اللهَ لَمْ يَكُ مُغَيِّرًا نِّعْمَةً اَنْعَمَهَا عَلٰى قَوْمٍ حَتّٰى يُغَيِّرُوْا مَا بِاَنْفُسِهِمْ لا وَاَنَّ اللهَ سَمِيْعٌ عَلِيْمٌ
“That is because Allah would never change a blessing He has bestowed on a nation unless they change what is within themselves, and because Allah is Hearing and Knowing.” (8:53)
وَمَا يَسْتَوِى الْبَحْرٰنِ ق هٰذَا عَذْبٌ فُرَاتٌ سَآئِغٌ شَرَابُه وَهٰذَا مِلْحٌ اُجَاجٌ ط وَمِنْ كُلٍّ تَاْكُلُوْنَ لَحْمًا طَرِيًّا وَّتَسْتَخْرِجُوْنَ حِلْيَةً تَلْبَسُوْنَهَا ج وَتَرَى الْفُلْكَ فِيْهِ مَوَاخِرَ لِتَبْتَغُوْا مِنْ فَضْلِه وَلَعَلَّكُمْ تَشْكُرُوْنَ يُوْلِجُ الَّيْلَ فِى النَّهَارِ وَيُوْلِجُ النَّهَارَ فِى الَّيْلِ وَسَخَّرَ الشَّمْسَ وَالْقَمَرَ كُلٌّ يَجْرِىْ لِاَجَلٍ مُّسَمًّى ط ذٰلِكُمُ اللهُ رَبُّكُمْ لَهُ الْمُلْكُ ط وَالَّذِيْنَ تَدْعُوْنَ مِنْ دُوْنِه مَا يَمْلِكُوْنَ مِنْ قِطْمِيْرٍ
“The two seas are not the same. One is fresh, sweet, quenching and good to drink, while the other is salty and bitter. Yet from each you eat fresh meat, and extract jewelry which you wear. And you see the ships plying through them, so that you may seek His bounty, so that you may give thanks. He merges the night into the day, and He merges the day into the night; and He regulates the sun and the moon, each running for a destined term. Such is Allah, your Lord; His is the sovereignty. As for those you call upon besides Him, they do not possess a trifling date-seed.” (35:12 – 13)
اَوَلَمْ يَرَوْا اَنَّا خَلَقْنَا لَهُمْ مِّمَّا عَمِلَتْ اَيْدِيْنَاۤ اَنْعٰمًا فَهُمْ لَهَا مٰلِكُوْنَ وَذَلَّلْنٰهَا لَهُمْ فَمِنْهَا رَكُوْبُهُمْ وَمِنْهَا يَاْكُلُوْنَ وَلَهُمْ فِيْهَا مَنَافِعُ وَمَشَارِبُ اَفَلَا يَشْكُرُوْنَ
“Have they not seen that We created for them, with Our Hand livestock that they own? And then We have made these subdued to them. Some they ride, and some they eat. And they have in them many other benefits, and drinks. Yet, why not they show gratitude?” (36:71 – 73)
اَلَمْ تَرَوْا اَنَّ اللهَ سَخَّرَ لَكُمْ مَّا فِى السَّمٰوٰتِ وَمَا فِى الْاَرْضِ وَاَسْبَغَ عَلَيْكُمْ نِعَمَه ظٰهِرَةً وَّبَاطِنَةً وَّمِنَ النَّاسِ مَنْ يُّجٰدِلُ فِى اللهِ بِغَيْرِ عِلْمٍ وَّلَا هُدًى وَّلَا كِتٰبٍ مُّنِيْرٍ
“Do you not see how Allah placed at your service everything in the heavens and the earth? How He showered you with His blessings, both outward and inward? Yet among the people is he who disputes about Allah without knowledge, without guidance, and without an enlightening Scripture.” (31:20)
اَفَرَءَيْتُمْ مَّا تَحْرُثُوْنَ اٰنْتُمْ تَزْرَعُوْنَه اَمْ نَحْنُ الزّٰرِعُوْنَ لَوْ نَشَآءُ لَجَعَلْنٰهُ حُطٰمًا فَظَلْتُمْ تَفَكَّهُوْنَ اِنَّا لَمُغْرَمُوْنَ بَلْ نَحْنُ مَحْرُوْمُوْنَ اَفَرَءَيْتُمُ الْمَآءَ الَّذِىْ تَشْرَبُوْنَ ءَاَنْتُمْ اَنْزَلْتُمُوْهُ مِنَ المُزْنِ اَمْ نَحْنُ الْمُنْزِلُوْنَ لَوْ نَشَآءُ جَعَلْنٰهُ اُجَاجًا فَلَوْلَا تَشْكُرُوْنَ اَفَرَءَيْتُمُ النَّارَ الَّتِى تُوْرُوْنَ ءَاَنْتُمْ اَنْشَاْتُمْ شَجَرَتَهَآ اَمْ نَحْنُ الْمُنْشِـُٔوْنَ نَحْنُ جَعَلْنٰهَا تَذْكِرَةً وَّمَتٰعًا لِّلْمُقْوِيْنَ فَسَبِّحْ بِاسْمِ رَبِّكَ الْعَظِيْمِ
“Have you thought about the seeds that you sow? Is it you who make it to grow, or are We the Grower? If We will, We can turn it into rubble; then you will lament. ‘We are penalized. No, we are being deprived.’ Have you seen the water you drink? Is it you who sent it down from the clouds, or are We the Sender? If We will, We can make it salty. Will you not be thankful? Have you seen the fire you kindle? Is it you who produce its tree, or are We the Producer? We have made it a reminder, and a comfort for the users. So, glorify the Name of your Great Lord.” (56:63 – 74)
وَهُوَ الَّذِىْ يُنَزِّلُ الْغَيْثَ مِنْۢ بَعْدِ مَا قَنَطُوْا وَيَنْشُرُ رَحْمَتَه وَهُوَ الْوَلِىُّ الْحَمِيْدُ
“It is He who brings down the rain after they have despaired, and unfolds His mercy. He is the Guardian, the Praised.” (42:28)
وَلَئِنْ سَاَلْتَهُمْ مَّنْ خَلَقَ السَّمٰوٰتِ وَالْاَرْضَ لَيَقُوْلُنَّ خَلَقَهُنَّ الْعَزِيْزُ الْعَلِيْمُ الَّذِىْ جَعَلَ لَكُمُ الْاَرْضَ مَهْدًا وَّجَعَلَ لَكُمْ فِيْهَا سُبُلًا لَّعَلَّكُمْ تَهْتَدُوْنَ وَالَّذِىْ نَزَّلَ مِنَ السَّمَآءِ مَآءًۢ بِقَدَرٍ فَاَنْشَرْنَا بِه بَلْدَةً مَّيْتًا كَذٰلِكَ تُخْرَجُوْنَ وَالَّذِىْ خَلَقَ الْاَزْوَاجَ كُلَّهَا وَجَعَلَ لَكُمْ مِنَ الفُلْكِ وَالْاَنْعٰمِ مَا تَرْكَبُوْنَ لِتَسْتَوا عَلٰى ظُهُوْرِه ثُمَّ تَذْكُرُوْا نِعْمَةَ رَبِّكُمْ اِذَا اسْتَوَيْتُمْ عَلَيْهِ وَتَقُوْلُوْا سُبْحٰنَ الَّذِىْ سَخَّرَ لَنَا هٰذَا وَمَا كُنَّا لَه مُقْرِنِيْنَ وَاِنَّاۤ اِلٰى رَبِّنَا لَمُنْقَلِبُوْنَ
“(O Prophet!), And if you ask them, ‘Who created the heavens and the earth?’ Of course, they will say: ‘All these have been created by Allah, the Almighty and the All-knowing,’ He Who made the earth bedding, and traced pathways for you on it, that you may travel to your destination. He Who sends down water from the sky in due proportion; and so, We revive thereby a dead land. Thus, you will be restored to life after death. He Who created all the pairs; and provided you with ships, and animals on which you ride. That you may mount their backs, and remember the favor of your Lord as you sit firmly upon them, and say, “Glory be to Him Who placed these at our service; surely we could not have done it by ourselves. And surely, to our Lord we will return.” (43:9 – 14)
اَللهُ الَّذِىْ خَلَقَ السَّمٰوٰتِ وَالْاَرْضَ وَاَنْزَلَ مِنَ السَّمَآءِ مَآءً فَاَخْرَجَ بِه مِنَ الثَّمَرٰتِ رِزْقًا لَّكُمْط وَسَخَّرَ لَكُمُ الْفُلْكَ لِتَجْرِىَ فِى الْبَحْرِ بِاَمْرِه وَسَخَّرَ لَكُمُ الْاَنْهٰرَ وَسَخَّرَ لَكُمُ الشَّمْسَ وَالْقَمَرَ دَآئِبَيْنِ ج وَسَخَّرَ لَكُمُ الَّيْلَ وَالنَّهَارَ وَاٰتٰىكُمْ مِّنْ كُلِّ مَا سَاَلْتُمُوْهُ وَاِنْ تَعُدُّوْا نِعْمَتَ اللهِ لَا تُحْصُوْهَا ط اِنَّ الْاِنْسَانَ لَظَلُوْمٌ كَفَّارٌ
“He is Allah – Who created the heavens and the earth, and sends down water from the sky, and with it produces fruits for your sustenance. And He committed the ships to your service, sailing through the sea by His command, and He committed the rivers to your service. And He committed the sun and the moon to your service, both continuously pursuing their courses, and He committed the night and the day to your service. And He has given you something of all what you asked. And if you were to count Allah’s blessings, you would not be able to count them. The human being is unjust and ungrateful.” (14:32 – 34)
وَالْاَنْعَامَ خَلَقَهَا لَكُمْ فِيْهَا دِفْءٌ وَّمَنَافِعُ وَمِنْهَا تَاْكُلُوْنَ وَلَكُمْ فِيْهَا جَمَالٌ حِيْنَ تُرِيْحُوْنَ وَحِيْنَ تَسْرَحُوْنَ وَتَحْمِلُ اَثْقَالَكُمْ اِلٰى بَلَدٍ لَّمْ تَكُوْنُوْا بٰلِغِيْهِ اِلَّا بِشِقِّ الْاَنْفُسِ اِنَّ رَبَّكُمْ لَرَءُوْفٌ رَّحِيْمٌ وَالْخَيْلَ وَالْبِغَالَ وَالْحَمِيْرَ لِتَرْكَبُوْهَا وَزِيْنَةً وَّيَخْلُقُ مَا لَا تَعْلَمُوْنَ
“And the livestock—He created them for you. In them are warmth and benefits for you, and of them you eat. And there is beauty in them for you, when you bring them home, and when you drive them to pasture. And they carry your loads to such townships that you could not have reached without great hardship. Your Lord is Most Clement and Merciful. And (He provided you) the horses, and the mules, and the donkeys—for you to ride, and for adornment. And He creates what you do not know. (16:5 – 8)
هُوَ الَّذِىْۤ اَنْزَلَ مِنَ السَّمَآءِ مَآءً لَّكُمْ مِّنْهُ شَرَابٌ وَّمِنْهُ شَجَرٌ فِيْهِ تُسِيْمُوْنَ يُنْۢبِتُ لَكُم بِهِ الزَّرْعَ وَالزَّيْتُوْنَ وَالنَّخِيْلَ وَالْاَعْنٰبَ وَمِنْ كُلِّ الثَّمَرٰتِ ج اِنَّ فِىْ ذٰلِكَ لَاٰيَةً لِّقَوْمٍ يَّتَفَكَّرُوْنَ وَسَخَّرَ لَكُمُ الَّيْلَ وَالنَّهَارَ وَالشَّمْسَ وَالْقَمَرَ وَالنُّجُوْمُ مُسَخَّرٰتٌۢ بِاَمْرِه طاِنَّ فِىْ ذٰلِكَ لَاٰيٰتٍ لِّقَوْمٍ يَّعْقِلُوْنَ
“It is He Who sends down for you from the sky water. From it is drink, and with it grows vegetation for grazing. And He produces for you grains with it, and olives, and date-palms, and grapes, and all kinds of fruits. Surely that is a sign for people who think. And He regulated for you the night and the day; and the sun, and the moon, and the stars are disposed by His command. Surely these are signs for people who ponder.” (16:10 – 12)
وَمَا ذَرَاَ لَكُمْ فِى الْاَرْضِ مُخْتَلِفًا اَلْوٰنُه طاِنَّ فِىْ ذٰلِكَ لَاٰيَةً لِّقَوْمٍ يَذَّكَّرُوْنَ وَهُوَ الَّذِىْ سَخَّرَ الْبَحْرَ لِتَاْكُلُوْا مِنْهُ لَحْمًا طَرِيَّا وَّتَسْتَخْرِجُوْا مِنْهُ حِلْيَةً تَلْبَسُوْنَهَا وَتَرَى الْفُلْكَ مَوَاخِرَ فِيْهِ وَلِتَبْتَغُوْا مِنْ فَضْلِه وَلَعَلَّكُمْ تَشْكُرُوْنَ وَاَلْقٰى فِى الْاَرْضِ رَوٰسِىَ اَنْ تَمِيْدَ بِكُمْ وَاَنْهٰرًا وَسُبُلًا لَّعَلَّكُمْ تَهْتَدُوْنَ وَعَلٰمٰتٍ وَبِالنَّجْمِ هُمْ يَهْتَدُوْنَ
“And whatsoever He created for you on earth is of diverse colors, surely that is a sign for people who are mindful. And it is He who made the sea to serve you, that you may eat from it fresh meat, and extract from it ornaments that you wear. And you see the ships plying through it, as you seek His bounties, so that you may give thanks. And he set mountains on the earth, lest it shakes with you; and rivers, and roads, so that you may be guided. And landmarks, and by the stars they may be guided to their right destination.” (16:13 – 16)
Infinite Mercy and Forgiveness of Allah (SWT)
“(O Prophet) Tell My servants that I am indeed the Oft-forgiving, Most Merciful.” (15:49)
Allah (SWT) has infinite love, mercy, and forgiveness for humans. He created them as the best of all creatures and nominated them as His Khalifa on the earth. He is well aware of the flaws that cause them to err. So, He made himself duty-bound to show mercy and forgiveness to them. According to the narrations of the books of Hadiths, “The all-embracing love, kindness, and clemency of Allah (SWT) surround all His creations universally. Only a small portion of His love and compassion found its way into the hearts of His creatures. The rest ninety-nine percent has been kept reserved for Him, which will be fully exposed on the day of Judgement upon the people who are believers and obedient.” (Bukhari and Muslim). On the Day of Judgement, it will be an incredible favor when Allah (SWT) will show His full mercy and forgiveness to the believing people. Here are the related verses on this topic as quoted below:
بِسْمِ اللهِ الرَّحْمٰنِ الرَّحِيْم
“In the name of Allah, the Gracious, the Merciful.” (1:1, 27:30)
[Except for ‘Surah Tawbah’, each Surah of the Qur’an begins with the Tasmiyah]
وَقُلْ رَّبِّ اغْفِرْ وَارْحَمْ وَاَنْتَ خَيْرُ الرّٰحِمِيْنَ
“(O Prophet) Say, O my Lord, forgive me and be kind to me. You are the most Merciful among who bestow mercy.” (23:118)
وَاِذَا جَآءَكَ الَّذِيْنَ يُؤْمِنُوْنَ بِـَٔايٰتِنَا فَقُلْ سَلٰمٌ عَلَيْكُمْ كَتَبَ رَبُّكُمْ عَلٰى نَفْسِهِ الرَّحْمَةَ اَنَّه مَنْ عَمِلَ مِنْكُمْ سُوْٓءًۢا بِجَهٰلَةٍ ثُمَّ تَابَ مِنْۢ بَعْدِه وَاَصْلَحَ فَاَنَّه غَفُوْرٌ رَّحِيْمٌ
“And when those who believe in Our signs come to you, then say. ‘Peace be upon you! Your Lord has made it His own responsibility to bestow mercy upon you. When one amongst you indulges in evil out of ignorance, subsequently return back (with repentance) and do good deeds, then Allah is truly the most Pardoning and Kind.’ (6:54)
قُلْ لِّمَنْ مَّا فِى السَّمٰوٰتِ وَالْاَرْضِ قُلْ لِلّٰهِ كَتَبَ عَلٰى نَفْسِهِ الرَّحْمَةَ
“Ask, ‘Who belongs whatsoever in the heavens and on the earth?’ Say, ‘It is Allah’. He has prescribed for Himself to show Mercy. ….” (6:12)
قُلْ يٰعِبَادِىَ الَّذِيْنَ اَسْرَفُوْا عَلٰى اَنْفُسِهِمْ لَا تَقْنَطُوْا مِنْ رَّحْمَةِ اللهِ اِنَّ اللهَ يَغْفِرُ الذُّنُوْبَ جَمِيْعًا اِنَّه هُوَ الْغَفُوْرُ الرَّحِيْمُ
“Say, ‘O My bondsmen, those of you have wronged to your souls never despair from the mercy of Allah. Surely Allah forgives all sins, He is the Most Pardoning and the Most Merciful’.” (39:53)
رَّبُّكُمْ اَعْلَمُ بِمَا فِى نُفُوْسِكُمْ اِن تَكُوْنُوْا صٰلِحِيْنَ فَاِنَّه كَانَ لِلْاَوّٰبِيْنَ غَفُوْرًا
“Your Lord knows best what is in your hearts: If you do deeds of righteousness, verily He is Most Forgiving to those who turn to Him again and again (in true penitence).” (17:25)
وَلَا تَايْـَٔسُوْا مِنْ رَّوْحِ اللهِ اِنَّه لَا يَايْـَٔسُ مِنْ رَّوْحِ اللهِ اِلَّا الْقَوْمُ الْكٰفِرُوْنَ
“…….And never be hopeless from the mercy of Allah. Verily, none despair from the mercy of Allah but the community of unbelievers. (12:87)
ثُمَّ اِنَّ رَبَّكَ لِلَّذِيْنَ عَمِلُوْا السُّوْٓءَ بِجَهٰلَةٍ ثُمَّ تَابُوْا مِنْۢ بَعْدِ ذٰلِكَ وَاَصْلَحُوْۤا اِنَّ رَبَّكَ مِنْۢ بَعْدِهَا لَغَفُوْرٌ رَّحِيْمٌ
“Verily your Lord is the Most Forgiving, Merciful towards those who commit evils out of ignorance and then turn back with repentance and rectify themselves.” (16:119)
وَاِنِّى لَغَفَّارٌ لِّمَنْ تَابَ وَاٰمَنَ وَعَمِلَ صٰلِحًا ثُمَّ اهْتَدٰى
“And I am Forgiving towards him who repents, believes, acts righteously, and then remains steadfast on the right path.” (20:82)
اِلَّا الَّذِيْنَ تَابُوْا وَاَصْلَحُوْا وَاعْتَصَمُوْا بِاللهِ وَاَخْلَصُوْا دِيْنَهُمْ لِلّٰهِ فَاُوْلٰٓئِكَ مَعَ الْمُؤْمِنِيْنَ وَسَوْفَ يُؤْتِ اللهُ الْمُؤْمِنِيْنَ اَجْرًا عَظِيْمًا مَّا يَفْعَلُ اللهُ بِعَذَابِكُمْ اِنْ شَكَرْتُمْ وَاٰمَنْتُمْ وَكَانَ اللهُ شَاكِرًا عَلِيْمًا
“Except those who repent, reform themselves, and hold fast to Allah and sincerely and dedicate their religion to Allah alone. They are with the Believers; Indeed, Allah will grant a great reward for them soon. Why should Allah punish you if you are grateful and firm in Imaan? Allah is the Best Appreciator and All-knowing.” (4:146 – 147)
اِلَّا الَّذِيْنَ تَابُوْا وَاَصْلَحُوْا وَبَيَّنُوْا فَاُوْلٰٓئِكَ اَتُوْبُ عَلَيْهِمْ ج وَاَنَا التَّوَّابُ الرَّحِيْمُ
“Except such of those who repent, and reform, and make manifest (the truth), for those I will accept their repentance. I am the Acceptor of Repentance, the Merciful.” (2:160)
اِلَّا مَنْ تَابَ وَاٰمَنَ وَعَمِلَ عَمَلًا صٰلِحًا فَاُوْلٰٓئِكَ يُبَدِّلُ اللهُ سَيِّـَٔاتِهِمْ حَسَنٰتٍ ط وَكَانَ اللهُ غَفُوْرًا رَّحِيْمًا وَمَنْ تَابَ وَعَمِلَ صٰلِحًا فَاِنَّه يَتُوْبُ اِلَى اللهِ مَتَابًا
“Except for those who repent, and believe, and do good deeds, for them Allah will replace their bad deeds with good ones. Allah is Ever-Forgiving and Merciful. Whoever repents and acts righteously—his is the true repentance towards Allah.” (25:70 – 71)
يٰۤاَيُّهَا الَّذِيْنَ اٰمَنُوْا تُوْبُوْۤا اِلَى اللهِ تَوْبَةً نَّصُوْحًا عَسٰى رَبُّكُمْ اَنْ يُّكَفِّرَ عَنْكُمْ سَيِّـَٔاتِكُمْ وَيُدْخِلَكُمْ جَنّٰتٍ تَجْرِىْ مِنْ تَحْتِهَا الْاَنْهٰرُ يَوْمَ لَا يُخْزِى اللهُ النَّبِىَّ وَالَّذِيْنَ اٰمَنُوْا مَعَه نُوْرُهُمْ يَسْعٰى بَيْنَ اَيْدِيْهِمْ وَبِاَيْمٰنِهِمْ يَقُوْلُوْنَ رَبَّنَاۤ اَتْمِمْ لَنَا نُوْرَنَا وَاغْفِرْ لَنَا ج اِنَّكَ عَلٰى كُلِّ شَىْءٍ قَدِيْرٌ
“O Believers! Repent to Allah with sincere repentance. Perhaps your Lord will remit your sins, and admit you into gardens beneath which rivers flow, on the Day when Allah will not disappoint the Prophet and those who believed with him. Their light is emitting before them, and to their right, they will say, “Our Lord! accomplish our light for us, and forgive us; You are capable of all things.” (66:8)
يُرِيْدُ اللهُ لِيُبَيِّنَ لَكُمْ وَيَهْدِيْكُمْ سُنَنَ الَّذِيْنَ مِنْ قَبْلِكُمْ وَيَتُوْبَ عَلَيْكُمْ وَاللهُ عَلِيْمٌ حَكِيْمٌ وَاللهُ يُرِيْدُ اَنْ يَّتُوْبَ عَلَيْكُمْ وَيُرِيْدُ الَّذِيْنَ يَتَّبِعُوْنَ الشَّهَوٰتِ اَنْ تَمِيْلُوْا مَيْلًا عَظِيْمًا يُرِيْدُ اللهُ انْ يُّخَفِّفَ عَنْكُمْ وَخُلِقَ الْاِنْسٰنُ ضَعِيْفًا
“Allah intends to make everything clear to you, and to guide you by the examples of those before you, and turn to you in mercy. Allah is Most Knowing, Most Wise. Allah intends to turn to you in mercy, but those who follow their desires want you to deviate utterly. Allah intends to lighten your burden, for the human being was created weak.” (4:26 – 28)
اِنْ تَجْتَنِبُوْا كَبَآئِرَ مَا تُنْهَوْنَ عَنْهُ نُكَفِّرْ عَنْكُمْ سَيِّـَٔاتِكُمْ وَنُدْخِلْكُمْ مُّدْخَلًا كَرِيْمًا
“If you avoid the worst of what you are forbidden, We will remit your sins, and admit you by a Gate of Honor.” (4:31)
وَلِلّٰهِ مَا فِى السَّمٰوٰتِ وَمَا فِى الْاَرْضِ يَغْفِرُ لِمَنْ يَّشَآءُ وَيُعَذِّبُ مَنْ يَّشَآءُ وَاللهُ غَفُوْرٌ رَّحِيْمٌ
“To Allah belongs everything in the heavens and the earth. He forgives whom He wills, and He punishes whom He wills. Allah is Most Forgiving, Most Merciful.” (3:129)
لَه مَا فِى السَّمٰوٰتِ وَمَا فِى الْاَرْضِ وَهُوَ الْعَلِىُّ الْعَظِيْمُ تَكَادُ السَّمٰوٰتُ يَتَفَطَّرْنَ مِنْ فَوْقِهِنَّ وَالْمَلٰٓئِكَةُ يُسَبِّحُوْنَ بِحَمْدِ رَبِّهِمْ وَيَسْتَغْفِرُوْنَ لِمَنْ فِى الْاَرْضِ ط اَلَا اِنَّ اللهَ هُوَ الْغَفُوْرُ الرَّحِيْمُ
“To Him belongs everything in the heavens and everything on earth. He is the Sublime, the Magnificent. The heavens above them almost burst apart, while the angels glorify the praises of their Lord, and ask forgiveness for those on earth. Allah is indeed the Forgiver, the Merciful.” (42:4 – 5)
وَاٰخَرُوْنَ اعْتَرَفُوْا بِذُنُوْبِهِمْ خَلَطُوْا عَمَلًا صٰلِحًا وَاٰخَرَ سَيِّئًا عَسَى اللهُ ان يَتُوْبَ عَلَيْهِمْ اِنَّ اللهَ غَفُوْرٌ رَّحِيْمٌ
“Others have confessed their sins, having mixed good deeds with bad deeds. Perhaps Allah will be sympathized toward them. Surely Allah is Forgiving and Merciful.” (9:102)
وَاِنْ يَّمْسَسْكَ اللهُ بِضُرٍّ فَلَا كَاشِفَ لَه اِلَّا هُوَ ج وَاِنْ يُّرِدْكَ بِخَيْرٍ فَلَا رَآدَّ لِفَضْلِه يُصِيْبُ بِه مَنْ يَّشَآءُ مِنْ عِبَادِه وَهُوَ الْغَفُوْرُ الرَّحِيْمُ
“If Allah afflicts you with harm, none can remove it except He. And if He wants good for you, none can repel His grace. He makes it reach whomever He wills of His servants. He is the Forgiver, the Merciful.” (10:107)
اَلَمْ یَعْلَمُوْۤا اَنَّ اللّٰهَ هُوَ یَقْبَلُ التَّوْبَۃَ عَنْ عِبَادِہٖ وَیَاْخُذُ الصَّدَقٰتِ وَاَنَّ اللّٰهَ هُوَ التَّوَّابُ الرَّحِیْمُ
“Do they not know that Allah accepts repentance from His bondmen and receives their gifts of charity, and that Allah is verily He, the Oft-Returning, Most Merciful?” (9:104)
اِنَّ الَّذِیْنَ یَخْشَوْنَ رَبَّهُمْ بِالْغَیْبِ لَهُمْ مَّغْفِرَۃٌ وَّاَجْرٌ كَبِیْرٌ
“Those who fear their Lord unseen, for them shall have forgiveness and a great reward.” (67:12)
وَ رَبُّكَ الْغَفُوْرُ ذُو الرَّحْمَۃِ ط لَوْ یُؤَاخِذُهُمْ بِمَا كَسَبُوْا لَعَجَّلَ لَهُمُ الْعَذَابَ ط بَلْ لَّهُمْ مَّوْعِدٌ لَّنْ یَّجِدُوْا مِنْ دُوْنِہٖ مَوْئِلًا
“And your Lord is All-Forgiving, Owner of Mercy. Were He to call them to account for what they have earned, then surely, He would hasten their punishment! But they have their appointed time, from which they shall find no escape.” (18:58)
اِنَّه هُوَ يُبْدِئُ وَيُعِيْدُ وَهُوَ الْغَفُوْرُ الْوَدُوْدُ ذُوالْعَرْشِ الْمَجِيْدُ
“It is He who produces and reproduces. And He is the Forgiving, the Loving – The Possessor of the Glorious Throne.” (85:13 – 15)
وَمَا كَانَ اللهُ لِيُضِيْعَ اِيْمَانَكُمْ اِنَّ اللهَ بِالنَّاسِ لَرَءُوْفٌ رَّحِيْمٌ
“But Allah would never let your faith go to waste. Verily, Allah is Kind towards the people, Merciful.” (2:143)
اَفَلَا يَتُوْبُوْنَ اِلَى اللهِ وَيَسْتَغْفِرُوْنَهط وَاللهُ غَفُوْرٌ رَّحِيْمٌ
“Why do they not turn back to Allah in repentance, and seek His forgiveness? For Allah is Oft- forgiving, Most Merciful.” (5:74)
اِنَّه كَانَ فَرِيْقٌ مِّنْ عِبَادِىْ يَقُوْلُوْنَ رَبَّنَاۤ اٰمَنَّا فَاغْفِرْ لَنَا وَارْحَمْنَا وَاَنْتَ خَيْرُ الرّٰحِمِيْنَ
“There was a group of My servants, who used to pray ‘our Lord! we believe; then You do forgive us, and have mercy upon us: For You are the Best of those who show mercy’!” (23:109)
يَعْلَمُ مَا يَلِجُ فِى الْاَرْضِ وَمَا يَخْرُجُ مِنْهَا وَمَا يَنْزِلُ مِنَ السَّمَآءِ وَمَا يَعْرُجُ فِيْهَا وَهُوَ الرَّحِيْمُ الْغَفُوْرُ
“He knows all that goes into the earth, and all that comes out thereof; all that comes down from the sky and all that ascends thereto and He is the Most Merciful, the Oft-Forgiving.” (34:2)
وَمِنْ رَّحْمَتِہٖ جَعَلَ لَکُمُ الَّیْلَ وَالنَّهَارَ لِتَسْکُنُوْا فِیْهِ وَلِتَبْتَغُوْا مِنْ فَضْلِہٖ وَلَعَلَّکُمْ تَشْکُرُوْنَ
“It is out of His Mercy that He has made for you Night and Day, so that you may rest therein, and that you may seek his Grace; – and in order that you may be grateful.” (28:73)
وَلِلّٰهِ مُلْكُ السَّمٰوٰتِ وَالْاَرْضِ ط يَغْفِرُ لِمَنْ يَّشَآءُ وَيُعَذِّبُ مَنْ يَّشَآءُ ط وَكَانَ اللهُ غَفُوْرًا رَّحِيْمًا
“To Allah belongs the dominion of the heavens and the earth: He forgives whom He wills, and He punishes whom He wills: but Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.” (48:14)
وَاَطِيْعُوْا اللهَ وَالرَّسُوْلَ لَعَلَّكُمْ تُرْحَمُوْنَ
“And obey Allah and the Messenger. so that mercy is bestowed upon you.” (3:132)
قُلْ اِنْ كُنْتُمْ تُحِبُّوْنَ اللهَ فَاتَّبِعُوْنِىْ يُحْبِبْكُمُ اللهُ وَيَغْفِرْ لَكُمْ ذُنُوْبَكُمْ ط وَاللهُ غَفُوْرٌ رَّحِيْمٌ
“Say: ‘If you do love Allah, follow me: Allah will love you and forgive you your sins: For Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.” (3:31)
رَبَّنَا لَا تُزِغْ قُلُوْبَنَا بَعْدَ اِذْ هَدَيْتَنَا وَهَبْ لَنَا مِنْ لَّدُنكَ رَحْمَةً اِنَّكَ اَنْتَ الْوَهَّابُ
“(They say) Our Lord! ‘Let not deviate our hearts (from the right path) after You have guided us, but grant us mercy from Your own Presence; for You are the Grantor of bounties without measure.” (3:8)
اَلَّذِیْنَ یَقُوْلُوْنَ رَبَّنَاۤ اِنَّنَاۤ اٰمَنَّا فَاغْفِرْ لَنَا ذُنُوْبَنَا وَقِنَا عَذَابَ النَّارِ اَلصّٰبِرِیْنَ وَالصّٰدِقِیْنَ وَالْقٰنِتِیْنَ وَالْمُنْفِقِیْنَ وَالْمُسْتَغْفِرِیْنَ بِالْاَسْحَارِ
“Those who say: ‘Our Lord! we have indeed believed: so, forgive us our sins, and save us from the punishment of the Fire;’ – Those who show patience, Firmness and self-control; who are true (in word and deed); who worship devoutly; who spend in the way of Allah.; and who pray for forgiveness in the late hours of the night.” (3:16 – 17)
وَ اَطِیْعُوا اللّٰهَ وَالرَّسُوْلَ لَعَلَّکُمْ تُرْحَمُوْنَ وَسَارِعُوْۤا اِلٰی مَغْفِرَۃٍ مِّنْ رَّبِّکُمْ وَجَنَّۃٍ عَرْضُهَا السَّمٰوٰتُ وَالْاَرْضُ ۙ اُعِدَّتْ لِلْمُتَّقِیْنَ
“And obey Allah and the Messenger, that you may obtain mercy. And race towards forgiveness from your Lord, and a Garden as wide as the heavens and the earth, prepared for the righteous.” (3:132 – 133)
وَيَتُوْبَ اللهُ عَلَى الْمُؤْمِنِيْنَ وَالْمُؤْمِنٰتِ ج وَكَانَ اللهُ غَفُوْرًا رَّحِيْمًۢا
“……. and Allah turns in Mercy to the Believing men and women: for Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.” (33:73)
الَّذِيْنَ يَجْتَنِبُوْنَ كَبٰٓئِرَ الْاِثْمِ وَالْفَوٰحِشَ اِلَّا اللَّمَمَ اِنَّ رَبَّكَ وٰسِعُ الْمَغْفِرَةِ هُوَ اعْلَمُ بِكُمْ اِذْ اَنْشَاَكُمْ مِّنَ الاَرْضِ وَاِذْ اَنْتُمْ اَجِنَّةٌ فِىْ بُطُوْنِ اُمَّهٰتِكُمْ فَلَا تُزَكُّوْٓا اَنْفُسَكُمْ هُوَ اعْلَمُ بِمَنِ اتَّقٰى
“Those who avoid gross sins and indecencies – except for minor lapses – your Lord is of Vast Forgiveness. He knows you well, ever since He created you from the earth, and ever since you were embryos in your mothers’ wombs. So do not acclaim your own virtue; He is fully aware of the righteous.” (53:32)
وَ مَنْ یَّعْمَلْ سُوْٓءًا اَوْ یَظْلِمْ نَفْسَہٗ ثُمَّ یَسْتَغْفِرِ اللّٰهَ یَجِدِ اللّٰهَ غَفُوْرًا رَّحِیْمًا
“Whoever commits evil, or wrongs his soul, then implores Allah for forgiveness, will find Allah Forgiving and Merciful.” (4:110)
وَاسْتَغْفِرُوْا اللهَ اِنَّ اللهَ غَفُوْرٌ رَّحِيْمٌۢ
“……and you seek forgiveness of Allah, for Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.” (73:20)
وَالَّذٰنِ یَاْتِیٰنِهَا مِنْکُمْ فَاٰذُوْهُمَا ۚ فَاِنْ تَابَا وَاَصْلَحَا فَاَعْرِضُوْا عَنْهُمَا ؕ اِنَّ اللّٰهَ كَانَ تَوَّابًا رَّحِیْمًا اِنَّمَا التَّوْبَۃُ عَلَی اللّٰهِ لِلَّذِیْنَ یَعْمَلُوْنَ السُّوْٓءَ بِجَهَالَۃٍ ثُمَّ یَتُوْبُوْنَ مِنْ قَرِیْبٍ فَاُولٰٓئِكَ یَتُوْبُ اللّٰهُ عَلَیْهِمْ ؕ وَ كَانَ اللّٰهُ عَلِیْمًا حَكِیْمًا
“If two men among you are guilty of lewdness, punish them both. If they repent and amend, be lenient towards them; for Allah is Acceptor of repentance, Most Merciful. Allah accepts the repentance of those who do evil in ignorance and repent soon afterward; to them will Allah turn in mercy: For Allah is All-knowing, The Wise.” (4:16 – 17)
فَمَنْ تَابَ مِنْۢ بَعْدِ ظُلْمِه وَاَصْلَحَ فَاِنَّ اللهَ يَتُوْبُ عَلَيْهِ ط اِنَّ اللهَ غَفُوْرٌ رَّحِيْمٌ اَلَمْ تَعْلَمْ اَنَّ اللهَ لَه مُلْكُ السَّمٰوٰتِ وَالْاَرْضِ يُعَذِّبُ مَنْ يَّشَآءُ وَيَغْفِرُ لِمَنْ يَّشَآءُط وَاللهُ عَلٰى كُلِّ شَىْءٍ قَدِيْرٌ
“But if he repents after his crime, and amends his conduct, Allah turns to him in forgiveness; for Allah is Oft-forgiving, Most-Merciful. Do you not know that to Allah (alone) belongs the dominion of the heavens and the earth? He punishes whom He pleases, and He forgives whom He pleases: and Allah has power over all things.” (5:39 – 40)
وَعَدَ اللهُ الَّذِيْنَ اٰمَنُوْا وَعَمِلُوْا الصّٰلِحٰتِۙ لَهُم مَّغْفِرَةٌ وَّاَجْرٌ عَظِيْمٌ
“Allah has promised forgiveness and a great reward for those who believe and do deeds of righteousness.” (5:9)
نَبِّىءْ عِبَادِي أَنِّي أَنَا الْغَفُورُ الرَّحِيمُ
“(O Prophet) Inform My servants that I am indeed the Oft-forgiving, Most Merciful.” (15:49)
وَالَّذِيْنَ اِذَا فَعَلُوْا فٰحِشَةً اَوْ ظَلَمُوْٓا اَنْفُسَهُمْ ذَكَرُوْا اللهَ فَاسْتَغْفَرُوْا لِذُنُوْبِهِمْ وَمَنْ يَّغْفِرُ الذُّنُوْبَ اِلَّا اللهُ وَلَمْ يُصِرُّوْا عَلٰى مَا فَعَلُوْا وَهُمْ يَعْلَمُوْنَ اُوْلٰٓئِكَ جَزَآؤُهُمْ مَّغْفِرَةٌ مِّنْ رَّبِّهِمْ وَجَنّٰتٌ تَجْرِىْ مِنْ تَحْتِهَا الْاَنْهٰرُ خٰلِدِيْنَ فِيْهَا وَنِعْمَ اَجْرُ الْعٰمِلِيْنَ
“And those who, when they commit an indecency or wrong themselves, remember Allah and ask forgiveness for their sins – and who forgives sins except Allah? And they do not persist in their wrongdoing while they know. Those – their reward is forgiveness from their Lord, and gardens beneath which rivers flow, dwelling therein forever. How excellent is the reward of the workers!” (3:135 – 136)
وَالَّذِيْنَ عَمِلُوْا السَّيِّـَٔاتِ ثُمَّ تَابُوْا مِنْۢ بَعْدِهَا وَاٰمَنُوْٓا اِنَّ رَبَّكَ مِنْۢ بَعْدِهَا لَغَفُوْرٌ رَّحِيْمٌ
“As for those who commit sins, and then repent afterwards and accept Imaan (faith), then thereafter, certainly your Lord is Forgiving and Merciful.” (7:153)
وَاكْتُبْ لَنَا فِىْ هٰذِهِ الدُّنْيَا حَسَنَةً وَّفِى الْاٰخِرَةِ اِنَّا هُدْنَآ اِلَيْكَ قَالَ عَذَابِىْ اُصِيْبُ بِه مَنْ اَشَآءُ وَرَحْمَتِى وَسِعَتْ كُلَّ شَىْءٍ فَسَاَكْتُبُهَا لِلَّذِيْنَ يَتَّقُوْنَ وَيُؤْتُوْنَ الزَّكَوٰةَ وَالَّذِيْنَ هُم بِـَٔايٰتِنَا يُؤْمِنُوْنَ
“And inscribe for us goodness in this world, and in the Hereafter. We have turned to You. He said, My punishment – I inflict it upon whomever I will, but My mercy encompasses all things. I will specify it for those who act righteously and practice regular charity, and those who believe in Our signs.” (7:156)
وَهُوَ الَّذِىْ يَقْبَلُ التَّوْبَةَ عَنْ عِبَادِه وَيَعْفُوْا عَنِ السَّيِّـَٔاتِ وَيَعْلَمُ مَا تَفْعَلُوْنَ وَيَسْتَجِيْبُ الَّذِيْنَ اٰمَنُوْا وَعَمِلُوْا الصّٰلِحٰتِ وَيَزِيْدُهُم مِنْ فَضْلِه وَالْكٰفِرُوْنَ لَهُمْ عَذَابٌ شَدِيْدٌ
“It is He who accepts the repentance of His worshipers, and remits the sins, and knows what you do. And He answers those who believe and do good deeds, and He increases them of His grace. But the disbelievers will suffer a terrible punishment. (42:25 – 26)
وَلَوْلَا فَضْلُ اللهِ عَلَيْكُمْ وَرَحْمَتُه وَاَنَّ اللهَ تَوَّابٌ حَكِيْمٌ
“(What a disaster would have fallen) Were it not for Allah’s grace upon you, and His mercy, and that Allah is Conciliatory and Wise!” (24:10)
فَلَوْلَا فَضْلُ اللَّهِ عَلَيْكُمْ وَرَحْمَتُهُ لَكُنتُم مِّنَ الْخَاسِرِينَ
“…… Had it not been for the Grace and Mercy of Allah to you, you had surely been among the losers.” (2:64)
مَنْ عَمِلَ سَیِّئَۃً فَلَا یُجْزٰۤی اِلَّا مِثْلَهَا ۚ وَمَنْ عَمِلَ صَالِحًا مِّنْ ذَكَرٍ اَوْ اُنْثٰی وَهُوَ مُؤْمِنٌ فَاُولٰٓئِكَ یَدْخُلُوْنَ الْجَنَّۃَ یُرْزَقُوْنَ فِیْهَا بِغَیْرِ حِسَابٍ
“Whoever commits a sin will be repaid only equal to it. But whoever works righteousness, whether male or female, and is a believer – these will enter Paradise, where they will be provided for without measure. (40:40)
نُصِیْبُ بِرَحْمَتِنَا مَنْ نَّشَآءُ وَلَا نُضِیْعُ اَجْرَ الْمُحْسِنِیْنَ
“…….. We bestow of our Mercy on whom We please, and We do not let lost the reward of those who do good.” (12:56)
Allah (SWT): The Provider of Sustenance
Allah is its ‘Rizq’ (provision), and He knows its place of dwelling and place of storage. All is in a clear register.” (11:6).
The above verse of the Qur’an clarifies the universal role and principle of Allah (SWT) as the Provider and Sustainer of all creatures. He provides sustenance to all humans, irrespective of their allegiance to him. He has taken upon himself the responsibility of providing a livelihood to all creatures. Allah (SWT) has kept the provision of nourishment for all in their mothers’ wombs. After birth, they find their provisions reserved in their mothers’ breasts. Allah (SWT) has provided means of livelihood for all his creatures in nature, i.e., in the ground and sky, and in the air and water. Except for humans, all other creatures collect their provisions directly from nature. Only humans exert their God-gifted knowledge, skill, and labor to reproduce vegetation, crops, fruits, meat, etc.
According to the Holy Qur’an, Allah (SWT) has created everything in nature in a balanced way and in proportionate measure for the wellbeing of all creations. So, he doesn’t like any misuse or indiscriminate exploitation of natural resources that causes harm to the environmental balance.
There are a number of verses on livelihood found in the Holy Qur’an which are quoted below:
وَمَا مِنْ دَآبَّةٍ فِى الْاَرْضِ اِلَّا عَلَى اللهِ رِزْقُهَا وَيَعْلَمُ مُسْتَقَرَّهَا وَمُسْتَوْدَعَهَا ط كُلٌّ فِىْ كِتٰبٍ مُّبِيْنٍ
“There is no creature on earth but the sustenance thereof depends on Allah. And He knows where it lives and where it rests. Everything is in a Clear Book.” (11:6)
وَكَاَيِّنْ مِّنْ دَآبَّةٍ لَّا تَحْمِلُ رِزْقَهَا ق اللهُ يَرْزُقُهَا وَاِيْاكُمْ ز وَهُوَ السَّمِيْعُ الْعَلِيْمُ
“There are many such creatures that do not hoard their provisions? Allah provides for them, and for you. He is the Hearer, the Knowledgeable.” (29:60)
وَاٰيَةٌ لَّهُمُ الْاَرْضُ الْمَيْتَةُ اَحْيَيْنٰهَا وَاَخْرَجْنَا مِنْهَا حَبًّا فَمِنْهُ يَاْكُلُوْنَ وَجَعَلْنَا فِيْهَا جَنّٰتٍ مِنْ نَّخِيْلٍ وَّاَعْنٰبٍ وَّفَجَّرْنَا فِيْهَا مِنَ العُيُوْنِ لِيْاْكُلُوْا مِنْ ثَمَرِه وَمَا عَمِلَتْهُ اَيْدِيْهِمْ اَفَلَا يَشْكُرُوْنَ
“And there is a sign for them in the dead land: We give it life, and produce from it grains from which they eat. And We place in it gardens of palm-trees and vines, and cause springs to gush out of it. That they may eat from its fruits, although their hands did not make it. Will they not be appreciative?” (36:33 – 35)
مَاۤ اُرِيْدُ مِنْهُمْ مِّنْ رِّزْقٍ وَمَاۤ اُرِيْدُ اَنْ يُّطْعِمُوْنِ اِنَّ اللهَ هُوَ الرَّزَّاقُ ذُوْالْقُوْةِ الْمَتِيْنُ
“No Sustenance do I seek from them, nor do I require that they should feed Me. For Allah is He Who gives (all) Sustenance, – Lord of Power (Resolute Might).” (51:57 – 58)
اَوَلَمْ يَرَوْا اَنَّا خَلَقْنَا لَهُمْ مِّمَّا عَمِلَتْ اَيْدِيْنَاۤ اَنْعٰمًا فَهُمْ لَهَا مٰلِكُوْنَ وَذَلَّلْنٰهَا لَهُمْ فَمِنْهَا رَكُوْبُهُمْ وَمِنْهَا يَاْكُلُوْنَ وَلَهُمْ فِيْهَا مَنَافِعُ وَمَشَارِبُ اَفَلَا يَشْكُرُوْنَ
“Have they not seen that We created for them, with Our Hand livestock that they own? And then We have made these subdued to them. Some they ride, and some they eat. And they have in them many other benefits, and drinks. Yet, why not they show gratitude?” (36:71 – 73)
اِنَّ رَبَّكَ يَبْسُطُ الرِّزْقَ لِمَنْ يَّشَآءُ وَيَقْدِرُ اِنَّه كَانَ بِعِبَادِه خَبِيْرًۢا بَصِيْرًا
“Verily your Lord provides sustenance in abundance for whom He pleases, and He provides in a just measure. For He knows all His servants well and everything of them is under His notice.” (17:30)
وَلَوْ بَسَطَ اللهُ الرِّزْقَ لِعِبَادِه لَبَغَوْا فِى الْاَرْضِ وَلٰكِنْ يُّنَزِّلُ بِقَدَرٍ مَّا يَشَاءُ اِنَّه بِعِبَادِه خَبِيْرٌ بَصِيْرٌ
“If Allah were to expand the provision (abundantly) for His Servants, they would indeed transgress beyond all bounds through the earth; but He sends down in appropriate measure as He pleases – For He is with His Servants Well-aware, Watchful.” (42:27)
…. وَاللهُ خَيْرُ الرَّازِقِينَ
“Allah is the best Provider of sustenance.” (62:11)
وَلَقَدْ مَكَّنّٰكُمْ فِى الْاَرْضِ وَجَعَلْنَا لَكُمْ فِيْهَا مَعٰيِشَ ۗ قَلِيْلًا مَّا تَشْكُرُوْنَ
“It is We Who have placed you with authority on earth, and provided you therein with means (livelihood) for the fulfillment of your life: small are the thanks that you give!” (7:10)
وَجَعَلْنَا لَكُمْ فِيْهَا مَعَايِشَ وَمَنْ لَّسْتُمْ لَه بِرٰزِقِيْنَ وَاِنْ مِّنْ شَىْءٍ اِلَّا عِنْدَنَا خَزَآئِنُه وَمَا نُنَزِّلُه اِلَّا بِقَدَرٍ مَّعْلُوْمٍ وَاَرْسَلْنَا الرِّيٰحَ لَوَاقِحَ فَاَنْزَلْنَا مِنَ السَّمَآءِ مَآءً فَاَسْقَيْنٰكُمُوْهُ ج وَمَآ اَنْتُمْ لَه بِخٰزِنِيْنَ
“And in it We created means of livelihood for you, and for those for whom you are not the providers. There is not a thing but with Us are its stores, and We send it down only in precise measure. We send the fertilizing winds; and send down water from the sky, and give it to you to drink, and you are not the ones who store it.” (15:20 – 22)
اَللهُ لَطِيْفٌۢ بِعِبَادِه يَرْزُقُ مَنْ يَشَآءُ ط وَهُوَ الْقَوِىُّ الْعَزِيْزُ
“Gracious is Allah to His servants: He gives Sustenance to whom He pleases: and He has power and can carry out His Will.” (42:19)
لَه مَقَالِيْدُ السَّمٰوٰتِ وَالْاَرْضِ يَبْسُطُ الرِّزْقَ لِمَنْ يَّشَآءُ وَيَقْدِرُ اِنَّه بِكُلِّ شَىْءٍ عَلِيْمٌ
“To Him belong the keys of the heavens and the earth: He enlarges and limits the sustenance to whom He wills: for He knows fully well of all things.” (42:12)
هُوَ الَّذِىْ جَعَلَ لَكُمُ الْاَرْضَ ذَلُوْلًا فَامْشُوْا فِىْ مَنَاكِبِهَا وَكُلُوْا مِنْ رِّزْقِه ط وَاِلَيْهِ النُّشُوْرُ
“It is He Who has made the earth manageable for you, so traverse you through its tracts and enjoy of the Sustenance which He furnishes: but unto Him is the Resurrection.” (67:15)
هُوَ الَّذِىْ يُرِيْكُمْ اٰيٰتِه وَيُنَزِّلُ لَكُمْ مِّنَ السَّمَآءِ رِزْقًا وَّمَا يَتَذَكَّرُ اِلَّا مَنْ يُّنِيْبُ
“He it is Who shows you his Signs, and sends down sustenance for you from the sky: but none receives admonition save those who turn (to Allah).” (40:13)
اَهُمْ يَقْسِمُوْنَ رَحْمَتَ رَبِّكَ ط نَحْنُ قَسَمْنَا بَيْنَهُمْ مَّعِيْشَتَهُمْ فِى الْحَيَوٰةِ الدُّنْيَا وَرَفَعْنَا بَعْضَهُمْ فَوْقَ بَعْضٍ دَرَجٰتٍ لِّيْتَّخِذَ بَعْضُهُمْ بَعْضًا سُخْرِيًّا ط وَّرَحْمَتُ رَبِّكَ خَيْرٌ مِّمَّا يَجْمَعُوْنَ
“Is it they who distribute the Mercy of your Lord? It is We Who allocate their livelihood amongst them in the life of this world: and We raise some of them above others in ranks, so that some may command work from others (for mutual benefits). But the Mercy of your Lord is better than the (wealth) which they amass.” (43:32)
وَاللهُ فَضَّلَ بَعْضَكُمْ عَلٰى بَعْضٍ فِى الرِّزْقِ فَمَا الَّذِيْنَ فُضِّلُوْا بِرَآدِّى رِزْقِهِمْ عَلٰى مَا مَلَكَتْ اَيْمَانُهُمْ فَهُمْ فِيْهِ سَوَآءٌ ط اَفَبِنِعْمَةِ اللهِ يَجْحَدُوْنَ
“Allah has preferred some of you to others in allotting livelihood provisions, those more favored do not give that much of their provision to those who are their subservient, so as to be equal in that respect. Will they then deny the favors of Allah?” (16:71)
اَللهُ يَبْسُطُ الرِّزْقَ لِمَنْ يَّشَآءُ مِنْ عِبَادِه وَيَقْدِرُ لَهط اِنَّ اللهَ بِكُلِّ شَىْءٍ عَلِيْمٌ
“Allah enlarges the sustenance (which He gives) to whichever of His servants He pleases; and He (similarly) grants by (strict) measure, (as He pleases): for Allah has full knowledge of all things.” (29:62)
قُلْ اِنَّ رَبِّى يَبْسُطُ الرِّزْقَ لِمَنْ يَّشَآءُ مِنْ عِبَادِه وَيَقْدِرُ لَه وَمَاۤ اَنْفَقْتُمْ مِنْ شَىْءٍ فَهُوَ يُخْلِفُهط وَهُوَ خَيْرُ الرّٰزِقِيْنَ
“Say: Verily my Lord enlarges and limits the Sustenance to such of his servants as He pleases: and nothing do you spend in the least (in His cause) but He recompenses it: for He is the Best of those who grant Sustenance.” (34:39)
اَمَّنْ هٰذَا الَّذِىْ يَرْزُقُكُمْ اِنْ اَمْسَكَ رِزْقَهج بَلْ لَّجُّوْا فِىْ عُتُوٍّ وَّنُفُوْرٍ
“Or who is there that can provide you with Sustenance if He were to withhold His provision? Nay, they obstinately persist in insolent impiety and flight (from the Truth).” (67:21)
ضَرَبَ لَكُمْ مَّثَلًا مِّنْ اَنْفُسِكُمْ ط هَلْ لَّكُمْ مِّنْ مَّا مَلَكَتْ اَيْمٰنُكُمْ مِّنْ شُرَكَآءَ فِىْ مَا رَزَقْنٰكُمْ فَاَنْتُمْ فِيْهِ سَوَآءٌ تَخَافُوْنَهُمْ كَخِيْفَتِكُمْ اَنْفُسَكُمْ ط كَذٰلِكَ نُفَصِّلُ الْاٰيٰتِ لِقَوْمٍ يَّعْقِلُوْنَ
“He does narrate to you a similitude from your own (experience): do you have partners among those who are your slaves, to share as equals in the wealth We have bestowed on you? Do you fear them as you fear each other? Thus, we do explain the Signs in detail to people of understanding.” (30:28)
قُلْ اَغَيْرَ اللهِ اَتَّخِذُ وَلِيًّا فَاطِرِ السَّمٰوٰتِ وَالْاَرْضِ وَهُوَيُطْعِمُ وَلَايُطْعَمُ ط قُلْ اِنِّىۤ اُمِرْتُ اَنْ اَكُوْنَ اَوَّلَ مَنْ اَسْلَمَ وَلَا تَكُوْنَنَّ مِنَ الْمُشْرِكِيْنَ
“Say: Shall I take for my protector any other than Allah, the Maker of the heavens and the earth? And He feeds all but none feeds Him. Say Nay! but I am commanded to be the first of those who bow to Allah, and you never be of the company of those who ascribe gods with Allah.” (6:14)
وَلَا تَقْتُلُوْۤا اَوْلَادَکُمْ خَشْیَۃَ اِمْلَاقٍ ؕ نَحْنُ نَرْزُقُهُمْ وَ اِیَّاکُمْ ؕ اِنَّ قَتْلَهُمْ كَانَ خِطْاً كَبِیْرًا
“Kill not your children for fear of poverty: We shall provide sustenance for them as well as for you. Verily the killing of them is a great sin.” (17:31)
اَوَلَمْ يَرَوْا اَنَّ اللهَ يَبْسُطُ الرِّزْقَ لِمَنْ يَّشَآءُ وَيَقْدِرُ اِنَّ فِىْ ذٰلِكَ لَاٰيٰتٍ لِّقَوْمٍ يُؤْمِنُوْنَ
“Do they not see that Allah enlarges the provision and reduces it, to whomsoever He pleases? Verily in that are Signs for those who believe.” (30:37)
قُلْ مَنْ يَّرْزُقُكُمْ مِّنَ السَّمٰوٰتِ وَالْاَرْضِ ط قُلِ اللهُ لا وَاِنَّاۤ اَوْ اِيَّاكُمْ لَعَلٰى هُدًى اَوْ فِى ضَلٰلٍ مُّبِيْنٍ
“Say: Who gives you sustenance, from the heavens and the earth? Say: ‘It is Allah’. And certainly, it is either we or you are on right guidance or in manifest error!” (34:24)
اَللهُ الَّذِىْ جَعَلَ لَكُمُ الْاَرْضَ قَرَارًا وَّالسَّمَآءَ بِنَآءً وَّصَوَّرَكُمْ فَاَحْسَنَ صُوْرَكُمْ وَرَزَقَكُمْ مِنَ الطَّيِّبٰتِ ذٰلِكُمُ اللهُ رَبُّكُمْ ج فَتَبَارَكَ اللهُ رَبُّ الْعٰلَمِيْنَ
“It is Allah Who has made for you the earth as a resting place, and the sky as a canopy, and has given you shape- and made your appearance beautiful, – and has provided for you sustenance, of things pure and good; such is Allah your Lord. So, Glory to Allah, the Lord of the Worlds!” (40:64)
وَّ یَرْزُقْهُ مِنْ حَیْثُ لَا یَحْتَسِبُ ؕ وَ مَنْ یَّتَوَكَلْ عَلَی اللّٰهِ فَهُوَ حَسْبُہٗ ؕ اِنَّ اللّٰهَ بَالِغُ اَمْرِہٖ ؕ قَدْ جَعَلَ اللّٰهُ لِکُلِّ شَیْءٍ قَدْرًا
“And (Allah) will provide him sustenance from the source beyond his expectation. Whoever depends on Allah – He is sufficient for him. Allah will accomplish His purpose. Allah has set a measure to all things.” (65:3)
The Justice of Allah (SWT)
“Judgement rests with Allah alone. He declares the truth, and He is the best of judges.” (6:57)
Allah (SWT) has established the Criterion of Justice in this world for dispensing justice among people. He has entrusted humans to follow the principle of justice in this world. But many wrongdoing people may escape punishment from the worldly court of justice because of humans’ weaknesses and limitations. Again, many people may be deprived of justice and remedy in any manner. But in the hereafter, there is no chance of escaping from the Justice of Allah (SWT). He declared himself in the Holy Qur’an as مَـالِكِ يَوْمِ الدِّينِ – “Master of the Day of Judgement.” (1:3). As the Supreme Judge of the Day of Judgement, He will do perfect justice to all. The Scale of Justice will be set to measure the deeds of humans performed in this world. Not a single action of a person will be left out but not measured in His Scale of Justice to provide perfect justice to all.
On the Day of Judgement people will find what offenses they meted to others in this world and the oppressors will be punished while the oppressed will get back their rights in full by the judgment of Allah (SWT). There are a number of verses on this topic as cited below:
وَتَمَّتْ كَلِمَتُ رَبِّكَ صِدْقًا وَّعَدْلًا لَّا مُبَدِّلِ لِكَلِمَاتِهِ وَهُوَ السَّمِيْعُ الْعَلِيْمُ
“The Words of your Lord have been completed (perfected) in truth and justice. There is none to change His words. He is the All-Hearing, the All-Knowing.” (6:115)
اَلَيْسَ اللهُ بِاَحْكَمِ الْحٰكِمِيْنَ
“Is not Allah, the Greatest of all judges?’ (95:8)
اَللهُ الَّذِىْ اَنْزَلَ الْكِتٰبَ بِالْحَقِّ وَالْمِيْزَانَ
“It is Allah who revealed the Book with the truth, and the Balance (of justice).….” (42:17)
قُلْ اَمَرَ رَبِّىْ بِالْقِسْطِ وَاَقِيْمُوْا وُجُوْهَكُمْ عِنْدَ كُلِّ مَسْجِدٍ وَّادْعُوْهُ مُخْلِصِيْنَ لَهُ الدِّيْنَ كَمَا بَدَاَكُمْ تَعُوْدُوْنَ
“Say, My Lord commands justice, and to set your faces upright (toward Him) at every place of worship. So, call upon Him, and dedicate your faith to Him alone. Just as He originated you, so you will return (to Him).” (7:29)
وَنَضَعُ الْمَوَازِيْنَ الْقِسْطَ لِيَوْمِ الْقِيٰمَةِ فَلَا تُظْلَمُ نَفْسٌ شَيْـًٔا وَّاِنْ كَانَ مِثْقَالَ حَبَّةٍ مِّنْ خَرْدَلٍ اَتَيْنَا بِهَا ط وَكَفٰى بِنَا حٰسِبِيْنَ
“We will set up the scales of justice for the Day of Qiyamah, so that no soul will suffer the least injustice. And even if it (deeds) be the weight of a mustard seed We will bring it up. Sufficient are We as Reckoners.” (21:47)
قُلْ يَجْمَعُ بَيْنَنَا رَبُّنَا ثُمَّ يَفْتَحُ بَيْنَنَا بِالْحَقِّ وَهُوَ الْفَتَّاحُ الْعَلِيْمُ
“Say, Our Lord will bring us together; then He will judge between us equitably. He is the All-Knowing Judge.” (34:26)
اِنَّ اللهَ لَا يَظْلِمُ مِثْقَالَ ذَرَّةٍ وَّاِنْ تَكُ حَسَنَةً يُّضٰعِفْهَا وَيُؤْتِ مِنْ لَّدُنْهُ اَجْرًا عَظِيْمًا
“Allah does not commit an atom’s weight of injustice; and if there is a good deed, He doubles it, and gives from His Presence an immense compensation.” (4:40)
اِنَّ لِلْمُتَّقِيْنَ عِنْدَ رَبِّهِمْ جَنّٰتِ النَّعِيْمِ اَفَنَجْعَلُ الْمُسْلِمِيْنَ كَالْمُجْرِمِيْنَ مَا لَكُمْ كَيْفَ تَحْكُمُوْنَ
“For the righteous are Gardens of Delight with their Lord. Shall We treat the Muslims like the disobedient? What is the matter with you? How do you judge?” (68:34 – 36)
وَاللهُ يَقْضِىْ بِالْحَقِّ ط وَالَّذِيْنَ يَدْعُوْنَ مِنْ دُوْنِه لَا يَقْضُوْنَ بِشَىْءٍ ط اِنَّ اللهَ هُوَ السَّمِيْعُ الْبَصِيْرُ
“Allah judges with justice, while those whom they invoke besides Him cannot judge with anything. It is Allah who is the All-Hearing, the All-Seeing.” (40:20)
لَا يُكَلِّفُ اللهُ نَفْسًا اِلَّا وُسْعَهَا لَهَا مَا كَسَبَتْ وَعَلَيْهَا مَا اكْتَسَبَتْ
“Allah does not burden any soul beyond its capacity. To its credit is what it earns, and against it is what it commits.” (2:286)
وَمَا اخْتَلَفْتُمْ فِيْهِ مِنْ شَىْءٍ فَحُكْمُه اِلَى اللهِ ط ذٰلِكُمُ اللهُ رَبِّىْ عَلَيْهِ تَوَكَّلْتُ ق وَاِلَيْهِ اُنِيْبُ
“Whatever it be wherein you differ, the judgement thereof is with Allah. such is Allah my Lord: In Him I trust, and to Him I turn.” (42:10)
اَفَغَيْرَ اللهِ اَبْتَغِىْ حَكَمًا وَّهُوَ الَّذِىۤ اَنْزَلَ اِلَيْكُمُ الْكِتٰبَ مُفَصَّلًا
(Say:) “Shall I seek a judge other than Allah – when He is Who has sent unto you the Book, explained in detail…….” (6:114)
يَحْكُمُ بَيْنَكُمْ ط وَاللهُ عَلِيْمٌ حَكِيْمٌ
“…….He judges (with justice) between you. And Allah is Full of Knowledge and Wisdom. (60:10)
وَاِنْ كَانَ طَآئِفَةٌ مِّنْكُمْ اٰمَنُوْا بِالَّذِىْۤ اُرْسِلْتُ بِه وَطَآئِفَةٌ لَّمْ يُؤْمِنُوْا فَاصْبِرُوْا حَتّٰى يَحْكُمَ اللهُ بَيْنَنَا ط وَهُوَ خَيْرُ الْحٰكِمِيْنَ
“And if there is a party among you who believes in the message with which I have been sent, and a party which does not believe, hold yourselves in patience until Allah decides between us: for He is the best to decide.” (7:87)
قُلْ اِنِّیْ عَلٰی بَیِّنَۃٍ مِّنْ رَّبِّیْ وَكَذَّبْتُمْ بِہٖ ؕ مَا عِنْدِیْ مَا تَسْتَعْجِلُوْنَ بِہٖ ؕ اِنِ الْحُکْمُ اِلَّا لِلّٰهِ ؕ یَقُصُّ الْحَقَّ وَ هُوَ خَیْرُ الْفٰصِلِیْنَ
“Say: Verily I (work) on a clear proof from my Lord, but you have rejected Him. I do not have that (punishment) you seek to be hastened. The judgement rests with none but Allah. He declares the truth, and He is the best of judges.” (6:57)
اِنَّ رَبَّكَ يَقْضِىْ بَيْنَهُمْ بِحُكْمِه وَهُوَ الْعَزِيْزُ الْعَلِيْمُ فَتَوَكَّلْ عَلَى اللهِ اِنَّكَ عَلَى الْحَقِّ الْمُبِيْنِ
“Verily your Lord will decide between them by His Decree: and He is Exalted in Might, All-Knowing. So put your trusts in Allah, indeed you are on (the path of) manifest Truth.” (27:78 – 79)
وَاتَّبِعْ مَا يُوْحٰى اِلَيْكَ وَاصْبِرْ حَتّٰى يَحْكُمَ اللهُ وَهُوَ خَيْرُ الْحٰكِمِيْنَ
“Follow the inspiration sent to you, and be patient and constant, till Allah decides: for He is the best of Judges.” (10:109)
ثُمَّ رُدُّوْۤا اِلَی اللّٰهِ مَوْلٰىهُمُ الْحَقِّ ؕ اَلَا لَهُ الْحُکْمُ وَ هُوَ اَسْرَعُ الْحٰسِبِیْنَ
“Then they are men returned to Allah, their Lord, the Just: Surely His is the Judgement. And He is the swiftest in taking account.” (6:62)
وَاللهُ يَحْكُمُ لَا مُعَقِّبَ لِحُكْمِهِ وَهُوَ سَرِيْعُ الْحِسَابِ
“And Allah judges, there is none to put back His Judgement and He is Swift at reckoning.” (13:41)
اِنَّ اللهَ لَا يَظْلِمُ مِثْقَالَ ذَرَّةٍ وَّاِنْ تَكُ حَسَنَةً يُّضٰعِفْهَا وَيُؤْتِ مِنْ لَّدُنْهُ اَجْرًا عَظِيْمًا
“Allah does not commit an atom’s weight of injustice; and if there is a good deed, He doubles it, and gives from His Presence an immense compensation.” (4:40)
اَلْمُلْکُ یَوْمَئِذٍ لِّلّٰهِ ؕ یَحْکُمُ بَیْنَهُمْ ؕ فَالَّذِیْنَ اٰمَنُوْا وَعَمِلُوا الصّٰلِحٰتِ فِیْ جَنّٰتِ النَّعِیْمِ
“All Sovereignty on that Day belongs to Allah; He will judge between them. Those who believe and do good deeds will be in the Gardens of Bliss.” (22:56)
Punishment of Allah (SWT)
اِنَّ اللهَ لَا يَظْلِمُ النَّاسَ شَيْـًٔا وَّلٰكِنَّ النَّاسَ اَنْفُسَهُمْ يَظْلِمُوْنَ
“Allah does not wrong the people in the least, but the people wrong themselves.” (10:44)
Allah (SWT) not only loves and forgives His servants, but He also severely punishes those who deserve it. He also says: “…….And fear Allah, for Allah is strict in punishment.” (5:2), (59:7). The rationale behind Allah’s punishment is to make people aware of the severe consequences of wrongdoings so that sinners can rectify themselves and make reforms in society. Before punishment, Allah warns them and then gives them enough respite for repentance and correction. Even if remain unaware, then He gives lesser punishment before grievous punishment. “We will make them taste the lesser torment, prior to the greater torment, so that they may return.” (32:21)
If Allah (SWT) indiscriminately forgives every human being and punishes no one, then their unrestrained wrongdoings and disobedience would create anarchy and misery in the world. So, it is the judicious principle of Allah (SWT) to establish justice by punishing heedless sinners and rewarding those who are obedient and virtuous.
Generally, Allah (SWT) gives punishment to protect and secure humanity from going astray and to ensure their welfare in this world and the hereafter. In Islamic Shariah, there are two types of punishment: one for transgression against Allah and the other for an offense against humanity. The punishment for encroaching on the boundary set by Allah (SWT) includes murder, oppression, anarchy, illegal sexual relationship, slandering, drinking alcohol, robbery, theft, and other social crimes. Allah (SWT) doesn’t pardon those who violate human rights if they are not pardoned by the victims.
Allah (SWT) has set limits for Halal and Haram activities. If this limit is encroached Allah’s punishment befalls as He says: “……. These are the limits set by Allah, so approach them not. Thus, Allah makes His commandments clear to men so that they may become secure against evil.” (2:187).
In the past, Allah (SWT) punished many misguided people who were involved in grievous sinful activities prohibited by Him. Their Prophets and Messengers warned them repeatedly, but they were heedless and arrogant. So, Allah’s severe punishment felled upon them. The punishment of this life is the least in comparison to that of the hereafter. Allah (SWT) does not do wrong with evildoers by punishing them, nor is He cruel and unjust to them; it is they who wrong themselves and refuse to repent and rectify; severe punishment awaits them. The following verses explain why and how Allah’s punishment fell upon people:
“(O Prophet) Inform My servants that I am indeed the Oft-forgiving, Most Merciful. And that My Penalty will be indeed the most grievous Penalty.” (15:49 – 50)
اِنَّ عَذَابَ رَبِّهِمْ غَیْرُ مَاْمُوْنٍ
“Certainly, none can take for granted from their Lord’s punishment.” (70:28)
وَلَنُذِيْقَنَّهُْم مِّنَ الْعَذَابِ الْاَدْنى دُوْنَ الْعَذَابِ الْاَكْبَرِ لَعَلَّهُمْ يَرْجِعُوْنَ
“We will make them taste the lesser torment, prior to the greater torment, so that they may return.” (32:21)
وَمَا كَانَ رَبُّكَ مُہْلِكَ الْقُرٰی حَتّٰی یَبْعَثَ فِیْۤ اُمِّهَا رَسُوْلًا یَّتْلُوْا عَلَیْهِمْ اٰیٰتِنَا ۚ وَمَا کُنَّا مُہْلِكِی الْقُرٰۤی اِلَّا وَاَهْلُهَا ظٰلِمُوْنَ
“Your Lord never destroys cities without first sending a messenger in their midst, reciting to them Our revelations. And We never destroy the cities, unless their people are wrongdoers.” (28:59)
فَکُلًّا اَخَذْنَا بِذَنْۢبِہٖ ۚ فَمِنْهُمْ مَّنْ اَرْسَلْنَا عَلَیْهِ حَاصِبًا ۚ وَ مِنْهُمْ مَّنْ اَخَذَتْهُ الصَّیْحَۃُ ۚ وَمِنْهُمْ مَّنْ خَسَفْنَا بِهِ الْاَرْضَ ۚ وَمِنْهُمْ مَّنْ اَغْرَقْنَا ۚ وَمَا كَانَ اللّٰهُ لِیَظْلِمَهُمْ وَلٰكِنْ كَانُوْۤا اَنْفُسَهُمْ یَظْلِمُوْنَ
“Each We seized for sin. Against some We sent a sandstorm. Some were struck by the Thunder Blast. Some We caused the ground to cave in beneath them. And some We drowned. It was not Allah who wronged them, but it was they who wronged their own selves.” (29:40)
قُلْ هُوَ الْقَادِرُ عَلٰۤی اَنْ یَّبْعَثَ عَلَیْکُمْ عَذَابًا مِّنْ فَوْقِکُمْ اَوْ مِنْ تَحْتِ اَرْجُلِکُمْ اَوْ یَلْبِسَکُمْ شِیَعًا وَیُذِیْقَ بَعْضَکُمْ بَاْسَ بَعْضٍ ؕ اُنْظُرْ كَیْفَ نُصَرِّفُ الْاٰیٰتِ لَعَلَّهُمْ یَفْقَهُوْنَ
“Say, ‘He (Allah) is Able to send upon you an affliction, from above you, or from under your feet. Or He can divide you into factions, and make you taste the violence of one another. Note how We explain the revelations, so that they may understand.” (6:65)
مَّا يَفْعَلُ اللهُ بِعَذَابِكُمْ اِنْ شَكَرْتُمْ وَاٰمَنْتُمْ وَكَانَ اللهُ شَاكِرًا عَلِيْمًا
“Why should Allah punish you if you are grateful and firm in Imaan? Allah is the Best Appreciator and All-knowing.” (4:147)
لِّيْعَذِّبَ اللهُ الْمُنٰفِقِيْنَ وَالْمُنٰفِقٰتِ وَالْمُشْرِكِيْنَ وَالْمُشْرِكٰتِ
“(As a result) that Allah has to punish the Hypocrite men and women, and the Unbeliever men and women ……” (33:73)
مَنْ عَمِلَ سَیِّئَۃً فَلَا یُجْزٰۤی اِلَّا مِثْلَهَا ۚ
“Whoever commits a sin will be repaid only equal to it….” (40:40)
وَاللهُ يُرِيْدُ اَنْ يَّتُوْبَ عَلَيْكُمْ وَيُرِيْدُ الَّذِيْنَ يَتَّبِعُوْنَ الشَّهَوٰتِ اَنْ تَمِيْلُوْا مَيْلًا عَظِيْمًا يُرِيْدُ اللهُ انْ يُّخَفِّفَ عَنْكُمْ وَخُلِقَ الْاِنْسٰنُ ضَعِيْفًا
“Allah intends to turn to you in mercy, but those who follow their desires want you to deviate utterly. Allah intends to lighten your burden, for the human being was created weak.” (4:27 – 28)
اِنَّ اللهَ لَا يَغْفِرُ اَنْ يُّشْرَكَ بِه وَيَغْفِرُ مَا دُوْنَ ذٰلِكَ لِمَنْ يَّشَآءُ وَمَنْ يُّشْرِكْ بِاللهِ فَقَدِ افْتَرٰىۤ اِثْمًا عَظِيْمًا
“Allah will not forgive (sin of) ascribing partners with Him; but He will forgive any lesser sins than that to whom He pleases: one who associates other gods with Allah, has strayed into far error.” (4:116)
وَلَيْسَتِ التَّوْبَةُ لِلَّذِيْنَ يَعْمَلُوْنَ السَّيِّـَٔاتِ حَتّٰى اِذَا حَضَرَ اَحَدَهُمُ الْمَوْتُ قَالَ اِنِّىْ تُبْتُ الْـٰٔنَ وَلَا الَّذِيْنَ يَمُوْتُوْنَ وَهُمْ كُفَّارٌ فَاُوْلٰٓئِكَ اعْتَدْنَا لَهُمْ عَذَابًا اَلِيْمًا
“And those deserve no clemency, who continue to do evil, until death comes before one of them, and he says, ‘Now I repent’; nor for those who die rejecting Faith: for them have We prepared a punishment most grievous.” (4:18)
… قَالَ عَذَابِىْ اُصِيْبُ بِه مَنْ اَشَآءُ وَرَحْمَتِى وَسِعَتْ كُلَّ شَىْءٍ فَسَاَكْتُبُهَا لِلَّذِيْنَ يَتَّقُوْنَ وَيُؤْتُوْنَ الزَّكَوٰةَ وَالَّذِيْنَ هُم بِـَٔايٰتِنَا يُؤْمِنُوْنَ
“…… He (Allah) said, My punishment – I inflict it upon whomever I will, but My mercy encompasses all things……” (7:156)
وَالَّذِیْنَ كَفَرُوْا لَهُمْ شَرَابٌ مِّنْ حَمِیْمٍ وَعَذَابٌ اَلِیْمٌۢ بِمَا كَانُوْا یَکْفُرُوْنَ
“As for those who disbelieve, for them is a drink of boiling water, and painful punishment, on account of their disbelief.” (10:4)
اِنَّ رَبَّكَ سَرِیْعُ الْعِقَابِ ۫ۖ وَ اِنَّہٗ لَغَفُوْرٌ رَّحِیْمٌ
“…… “Your Lord is quick in punishment: yet He is indeed Oft-forgiving, Most Merciful.” (6:165)
اَلَّذِیْنَ كَفَرُوْا لَهُمْ عَذَابٌ شَدِیْدٌ ۬ؕ وَالَّذِیْنَ اٰمَنُوْا وَعَمِلُوا الصّٰلِحٰتِ لَهُمْ مَّغْفِرَۃٌ وَ اَجْرٌ كَبِیْرٌ
“Those who disbelieve will suffer a harsh punishment, but those who believe and do righteous deeds will have forgiveness and a great reward.” (35:7)
وَالَّذِينَ كَسَبُوا السَّيِّئَاتِ جَزَاءُ سَيِّئَةٍ بِمِثْلِهَا وَتَرْهَقُهُمْ ذِلَّةٌ ۖ مَّا لَهُم مِّنَ اللَّهِ مِنْ عَاصِمٍ ۖ كَأَنَّمَا أُغْشِيَتْ وُجُوهُهُمْ قِطَعًا مِّنَ اللَّيْلِ مُظْلِمًا ۚ أُولَـٰئِكَ أَصْحَابُ النَّارِ ۖ هُمْ فِيهَا خَالِدُونَ
“But those who have earned evil will have a reward of like evil: ignominy will cover their (faces): No defender will they have from (the wrath of) Allah. Their faces will be covered, as it were, with pieces from the depth of the darkness of night: they are companions of the Fire: they will abide therein (for aye)!” (10:27)
وَمَآ اَصٰبَكُمْ مِّنْ مُّصِيْبَةٍ فَبِمَا كَسَبَتْ اَيْدِيْكُمْ وَيَعْفُوْا عَنْ كَثِيْرٍ
“Whatever misfortunes befall upon you, are the result of what your hands have earned; and yet He pardons a lot.” (42:30)
وَمَا كَانَ رَبُّكَ لِيُهْلِكَ الْقُرَىٰ بِظُلْمٍ وَأَهْلُهَا مُصْلِحُونَ
“Nor would your Lord be the One to destroy communities for a single wrongdoing, if its members were likely to mend.” (11:117)
اَمْ حَسِبَ الَّذِیْنَ اجْتَرَحُوا السَّیِّاٰتِ اَنْ نَّجْعَلَهُمْ كَالَّذِیْنَ اٰمَنُوْا وَعَمِلُوا الصّٰلِحٰتِ ۙ سَوَآءً مَّحْیَاهُمْ وَمَمَاتُهُمْ ؕ سَآءَ مَا یَحْکُمُوْنَ وَخَلَقَ اللّٰهُ السَّمٰوٰتِ وَالْاَرْضَ بِالْحَقِّ وَلِتُجْزٰی کُلُّ نَفْسٍۭ بِمَا كَسَبَتْ وَهُمْ لَا یُظْلَمُوْنَ
“Do those who perpetrate the evil deeds assume that We will regard them as equal to those who believe and do righteous deeds, whether in their life or their death? How evil is their Judgement! Allah created the heavens and the earth with justice so that every soul will be repaid for what it has earned. And they will not be wronged.” (45:21 – 22)
وَيْلٌ لِّكُلِّ أَفَّاكٍ أَثِيمٍ يَسْمَعُ اٰيٰتِ اللهِ تُتْلٰى عَلَيْهِ ثُمَّ يُصِرُّ مُسْتَكْبِرًا كَاَن لَّمْ يَسْمَعْهَا فَبَشِّرْهُ بِعَذَابٍ اَلِيْمٍ وَاِذَا عَلِمَ مِنْ اٰيٰتِنَا شَيْـًٔا اتَّخَذَهَا هُزُوًا ط اُوْلٰٓئِكَ لَهُمْ عَذَابٌ مُّهِيْنٌ
“Woe to every lying sinner! – who hears the Signs of Allah recited to him, yet is obstinate and lofty, as if he had not heard them: then announce to him a Penalty Grievous! And when he learns something of Our Signs, he takes them in jest: for such there will be a humiliating punishment.” (45:8 – 9)
وَلَقَدْ اَرْسَلْنَا مِنْ قَبْلِكَ رُسُلًا اِلٰى قَوْمِهِمْ فَجَآءُوْهُم بِالْبَيِّنٰتِ فَانْتَقَمْنَا مِنَ الَّذِيْنَ اَجْرَمُوْا وَكَانَ حَقًّا عَلَيْنَا نَصْرُ الْمُؤْمِنِيْنَ
“Before you, We sent Messengers to their people. They came to them with clear proofs. Then We took revenge on those who sinned. It is incumbent on Us to help the believers.” (30:47)
وَالَّذِیْنَ كَفَرُوْا لَهُمْ نَارُ جَهَنَّمَ ۚ لَا یُقْضٰی عَلَیْهِمْ فَیَمُوْتُوْا وَلَا یُخَفَّفُ عَنْهُمْ مِّنْ عَذَابِهَا ؕ كَذٰلِكَ نَجْزِیْ کُلَّ كَفُوْرٍ
“As for those who disbelieve, for them is the Fire of Hell, wherein they will never be finished off and die, nor will its punishment be lightened for them. Thus, We will repay every ungrateful person.” (35:36)