DO NOT DESPAIR OF GOD’S MERCY

God never burdens a soul beyond its means: to its credit is what it earns,
and against it is what it commits (2:286).

We all have ups and downs in our lives. While it’s up, we are happy. When it’s down, we might not be happy but we should never ever despair of God’s mercy. It helps to remember that anything that happens is already recorded. Therefore, we shall not grieve over anything we miss, nor be proud of anything God has bestowed upon us (57:23, 24).

Let’s seek lessons from the Quran, and begin with Joseph, since in Joseph and his brother there are lessons for the seekers (12:7).

Joseph had experienced all kinds of things in his life such as being the subject of jealousy (12:5, 8, 9, 77), being thrown into the abyss of the well (12:10), being treated as merchandise (12:19, 20), suffering from women’s schemes (12:34, 50), different kinds of accusations

such as adultery and theft (12:25, 77), prison (12:33), being far from his family for years (12:84), and continuous accusations from his own brothers (12:77).

In spite of all these, he never ever despaired God’s mercy. Consequently, God made it up to him and gave him a prominent position (12:54, 55), and kingship (12:101).

Meanwhile, Jacob, Joseph’s father, although he was grieving, he never despaired of God’s grace until God brought his children back to him (12:83, 87, 94-96).

When the devil had afflicted Job with hardship, pain, and adversity God rescued him, relieved adversity which had befallen him, and restored his family for him, even twice as much (21:83, 84) (38:41-43). And God was proud of Job.

What a good servant he was! (38:44).

When Abraham was to be thrown in the fire, he did not despair. Then God interfered and the fire became cool and safe for Abraham (21:69; 15:56). Zechariah, similar to Abraham, kept imploring God without ever despairing till God granted him an heir (19:3-7).

While giving birth to Jesus, Mary was so ashamed that she wished for her death: “I wish I were dead before this happened, and completely forgotten”(19:23). Note how hard it must have been for Mary. Then, the newborn messenger, Jesus, tells her to not grieve, but to think about the positive things that God has provided for her (19:24-26).

Cont’d on page 4