Mercy of Allah Manifested

And hold fast, all together, by the rope of Allah, and be not divided among yourselves; and remember with gratitude Allah's favour on you; for ye were enemies and He joined your hearts in love, so that by His Grace, ye became brethren; and ye were on the brink of the pit of Fire, and He saved you from it. Thus doth Allah make His Signs clear to you: That ye may be guided. [Holy Quran] 

Allah (swt) is the Most Merciful. His mercy is all encompassing to the entire world. However, Allah's mercy, in many cases is displayed and manifested to us through several instruments. There are three main instruments that Allah (swt) has put in place to carry out His rahma. It is important to note of course, that the entire Ahlul Bayt (as) are a form of this great manifestation; but three are very important: 

1) The Holy Prophet (s)

“We have sent you but as a mercy to the entire world” [Holy Quran]

The entire life of the Holy Prophet (s) was a witness to his notable mercy. At the time of the Holy Prophet (s), the Arabian Peninsula was suffering severely from ignorance. Prophet Mohammed came to change the ways of society. In Mecca, when he (s) declared Islam, his uncle, Abu Jahal, the leader of the Pagans led children and men in stoning Prophet Mohammed (s). The Prophet (s) was hurt and he began to shed blood. Angels came to the prophet encouraging him to ask of them the destruction of his people. The Prophet looks up at the sky and says, “Oh Allah, guide my people, for they do not know.” This is the climax and apex of Mercy.   

In another instance, while Mohammed was in Medina, there was a severe doubt in Mecca. Abu Sufyan, father of Muawiyah, came to the prophet in Medina and asked him to pray for rain. The Prophet (s) prayed to Allah (swt). Immediately the following day rainstorms come to the extent that they feared flooding. They again came to the Prophet and asked him to pray for an end to the rainstorms. The prophet, with so much mercy, prayed for the good of the very people who sent him out of Mecca. This is the mercy of the Prophet. This is how he dealt with the people, in order that we may learn from him.

 2) Imam Al-Hussayn (as)  

 “Hussayn is the guiding light and ship of salvation” [Prophet Mohammed]

Imam Hussayn's great sacrifice in Karbala is an example of the mercy of Allah (swt) manifested. The entire tragedy on the sands of Karbala is in every last way a form of mercy to us. This great man offered everything he had and cherished in this life simply for us, so we can remain on the right path centuries later.    

On Imam Hussayn’s way to Kufa from Mecca, Hurr does not allow the caravan to enter Kufa. He denies them from getting water. Days later, Imam Hussayn (as) had access to water and when they asked him for water, he did not refuse them from drinking water. Not only did the Imam provide water for the men, but he also gave water to their horses.

This is merely one instance where we see the mercy of Imam Hussayn (as) at play. From such occurrences, we learn how we should deal with our enemies. Allah (swt) has made Imam Hussayn (as) and the tragedy of Karbala a lesson for all of humanity. Ghandi has said, “I learnt from Hussayn how to be oppressed yet victorious.” 

3) Imam Al-Mahdi (aatfs)

"And Know, that certainly the hearts of the Obedient and Sincere ones will be attracted to you like birds are attracted to their nests" [Imam Al-Askari (as) to his son Imam Al-Mahdi] 

Imam Al-Mahdi is a more personal level of Allah's manifestation of Rahma for us today. In a dua it is said in regards to our imam, "He has more love and compassion for his followers and devotees than their very parents.” This in itself is Allah's mercy manifested. The Imam, at such a high status and level, loves us so dearly, yet do we care for him? Do we pray for him, think of him, and try to personally connect with him? Is it not an injustice for us to abandon him in such a way? Imam Al-Mahdi’s rahma is broken into three main categories: 

Type 1 - A very general, all encompassing mercy. All of Allah's creations are subject to this type of mercy. This is because Imam Al-Mahdi is at the top of the pyramid. Allah has assigned each of His creation a task. The ultimate 'boss', is Allah (swt). Following Allah (swt) must be an infallible. At the time of the holy Prophet Mohammed (s), he was responsible to carry out this form of manifestation. However, during this time, this mercy is manifested through the 12^th holy Imam, for he is the current infallible and proof of Allah on earth. Our sustenance comes from Allah through Imam Al-Mahdi (aatfs). Therefore, his mere existence is a form of mercy.  

Type 2 – A more specific type of mercy. Type one has no conditions. By virtue of being created, one is subject to the first type of mercy. However, type 2 has only one condition, but a very specific condition; this condition being faith. By virtue of being a believer one will be subject to this type of mercy. Through this mercy, he looks out after his followers. In a different dua it is said in reference to the Imam's love for us, “We do not disregard you. We do not forget your remembrance. Had it not been for this, your enemies would have destroyed you.” The Imam mentions us, but do we ever remember him? On Thursday night when he looks at our record and mentions us, does he remember us on good terms? Imam Al-Mahdi has had to suffer so many grave tragedies. He has had to endure the martyrdom of his grandmother Fatimatul Zahra (as) and Imam Al-Hussayn (as). Let us not sadden him and increase his grief. Rather, let us alleviate his pain by abstaining from what has angers Allah (swt) 

Type 3 – A very special type of mercy that not many enjoy. This mercy has a very special condition: to plead to and have hope in the imam; to run after him and constantly be in anticipation for his mercy and loving care; to personally interact with him; to build an ever so personal relationship with him (aatfs). This mercy is at a much larger scale. This is the type of mercy that has the power to create miracles.  

They say there was a student studying to be a scholar. At one point, he left his house and his wife informed him that they had nothing whatsoever to survive on. The student goes and performs a 2 rukah prayer dedicated to Imam Al-Mahdi (aatfs). After completing the prayer, someone knocks on his door. The visitor says to him, I have been instructed by someone to present this gift to you. I will give you this each month under the condition that you inform no one. The man opens the gift and finds it to be a big sum of money. Months pass, and each month the delivery was made and their condition improved greatly. A few months later, his wife asks him where the money had been coming from. He informs her where the money has been coming from. The end of the month came and the delivery did not arrive. Three months later, he goes to the man who would deliver the money to him before. He speaks with him, eventually asking him why he had stopped bringing him the money. The man said to him, the one who ordered me to give you this money each month ordered me to stop. This young student, at one point, was subject to this third type of mercy.  

We have the opportunity and chance to be subject to this very special kind of mercy. Let us strengthen our personal relationship with our Imam. He is the Imam of our time. In our graves we will be asked who the Imam of our time is. In a letter to Sheikh Al-Mufid, Imam Al-Mahdi (aatfs) has said, "I will take care of you like a shepherd takes care of his heard"  So let us return this favor and care for him as he so purely and sincerely cares for us. The third type is very rare and something each believer should constantly strive to attain. May we, by the right of Imam Al-Mahdi, be among those who are honoured by being subject to this genuine type of mercy.  

 Indeed Allah is Most Merciful. All Praise be to Him and may His blessings be on the Purified Ahlul Bayt (as).