Remember Allah’s Grace

Allah says: “But Allah chooses for His mercy whom He wills, and Allah is the Possessor of Abounding Grace.” [Sūrah al-Baqarah: 105] 

“O you who believe! If you fear Allah, He will grant you a criterion (to judge between right and wrong), remove from you (all) evil (that may afflict) you, and forgive you, for Allah is the Possessor of Abounding Grace.” [Sūrah al-Anfāl: 29] 

“Be foremost in seeking forgiveness from your Lord, and a garden the width whereof is as the width of heaven and Earth, prepared for those who believe in Allah and His messengers. That is the Grace of Allah, which He bestows on whom he pleases, and Allah is the Possessor of Abounding Grace.” [Sūrah al-Hadīd: 21] 

“Surely grace is in the hand of Allah; He gives it to whom He pleases, and Allah is the Possessor of Abounding Grace.” [Sūrah al-Hadīd: 29] 

Every instance of worldly or spiritual good that we experience in our lives is purely from Allah’s grace. Nothing of it is our right or entitlement. This applies even to Allah’s prophets and messengers. Allah says: “But Allah chooses for His mercy whom He wills, and Allah is the Possessor of Abounding Grace.” [Sūrah al-Baqarah: 105] In this verse, Allah addresses His revelation and His choosing Muhammad (peace be upon him) as the one to receive the Qur’an. This was not something earned by the Prophet (peace be upon him). It was Allah’s gift that Allah chose for whom He pleased. 

Allah is the Possessor of Grace, so noting can prevent Allah’s benevolence and bounty from reaching those of His creatures He wishes to favor. Allah says: “If He intends good to you there is none to repel His grace” [Sūrah Yūnus: 107] and: “Surely grace is in the hand of Allah; He gives it to whom He pleases.” [Sūrah Āl `Imrān: 73] and: “That the People of the Scripture may know that they control naught of the bounty of Allah. Surely grace is in the hand of Allah; He gives it to whom He pleases, and Allah is the Possessor of Abounding Grace.” [Sūrah al-Hadīd: 29] 

One aspect of Allah’s grace upon those who worship Him is that He protects them and safeguards them from those who would cause them harm. When people taunted the Muslims to fear the polytheists who had assembled against them, they said “Allah is Sufficient for us! Most Excellent is He in whom we trust as Disposer of our affairs!” As a result, Allah blessed them and “…they returned with favor from Allah and (His) grace. No evil touched them and they followed the pleasure of Allah; and Allah is the Possessor of Abounding Grace.” [Sūrah Āl `Imrān: 173-174] 

Another aspect of Allah’s grace upon His servants is that He strengthens their hearts upon faith and safeguards them from going astray. Allah says: “And were it not for Allah’s grace upon you and His mercy, all but a few of you would have followed Satan.” [Sūrah al-Nisā’: 83] 

It is from Allah’s favor and grace that He defers punishing the sinners and hypocrites, and gives them a period of respite in the world. Allah says: “And what will those who invent a lie concerning Allah think on the Day of Resurrection? Lo! Allah truly is the Possessor of Grace toward humankind, but most of them do not give thanks.” [Sūrah Yūnus: 60] 

This includes those who slandered the Prophet’s wife `Ā’ishah. Allah addresses the slanderers saying: “And were it not for Allah’s grace upon you and His mercy in this world and the Hereafter, a grievous chastisement would certainly have touched you on account of the discourse which you had entered into.” [Sūrah al-Nūr: 14] 

So glory be to Allah who possesses all favor, grace, and blessings.

Sheikh Salman al-Oadah

Source: en.islamtoday.net (May 26, 2014)