What Does It Mean That Mercy Is Found If You Respond Rightly to Trials? – Shaykh Faraz Rabbani
Answered by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani
Question
What does it mean that mercy is found if you respond rightly to trials?
Answer
In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful and Compassionate
As-salamu alaikum wa rahmatullah
Allah Most High tells us: “My Mercy encompasses all things.” [Quran, 7:156].
This profound reality invites us to reflect on how we can realize divine mercy in our lives.
There are different dimensions to Allah’s mercy. One is the existential mercy—the fact that Allah is the Creator and Sustainer of all things.
This is an expression of His name, al-Rahman (The Universally Merciful). Many scholars have explained that Allah’s mercy has multiple layers, manifesting in both a general and specific manner.
Among these aspects is what Allah tells us: “The All-Merciful established Himself over the Throne.” [Quran, 20:5].
This indicates His authority, governance, and care over creation. But how do we attain His mercy and favor in this life and, more importantly, in the Hereafter?
The key is in how we respond to what Allah decrees for us. Everything that comes our way—whether pleasing or challenging—can be a means of drawing closer to Him if we respond in a manner pleasing to Allah.
For instance, if one faces loss or hardship, Allah reminds us in the Quran:
“We will surely test you with something of fear and hunger and a loss of wealth and lives and fruits, but give glad tidings to the steadfast.” [Quran, 2:155]
Thus, if we respond to blessings with gratitude, they become a source of good for us. Likewise, if we respond to trials with steadfastness, those challenges, too, become a means of elevation and purification.
This principle is beautifully captured in the Hadith of the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace):
“How wondrous is the affair of the believer! Everything that happens to him is good. If something pleasing befalls him, he is grateful, and that is good for him. And if harm befalls him, he remains steadfast, and that, too, is good for him.” [Muslim]
Ultimately, divine mercy is not merely about ease or comfort. It is found in the ability to turn every experience—whether joyful or difficult—into an opportunity for drawing closer to Allah through gratitude and patience.
Resources
Why is Allah Merciful?- https://seekersguidance.org/answers/i…
Understanding Trials – https://seekersguidance.org/answers/g…
[Shaykh] Faraz Rabbani
Shaykh Faraz Rabbani, a distinguished scholar in the Islamic sciences, is the Founder and Executive Director of SeekersGuidance. He studied under renowned scholars globally for ten years, beginning in Damascus and continuing in Amman, Jordan. Notable mentors include Shaykh Adib al-Kallas and Shaykh Hassan al-Hindi. After completing his studies, Shaykh Faraz returned to Canada in 2007 and established SeekersGuidance, dedicated to spreading reliable, relevant, and inspiring Islamic knowledge online and on the ground.
