( Muhammad), tell my servants who have committed injustice to themselves, "Do not despair of the mercy of God. God certainly forgives a...
(Muhammad), tell my servants who have committed injustice to themselves, "Do not despair of the mercy of God. God certainly forgives all sins. He is All-forgiving and All-merciful." (39:53) al-zumr 39
The First Holy Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib (a) says that there is no greater verse of God’s grace and His mercy than this verse in the whole of the Quran. It is Islam and no other religion in the world which introduces God to His creation, not as a mere merciless just judge whose decisions are based only on law and facts without any concern of any grace or mercy in it, but as the Independent - the Beneficent - the Oft-Pardoning - the most Gracious - the Dispenser of Grace, who deals with His creation as He pleases, and whose justice is ever tempered with mercy. His infinite mercy is ever in the waiting to receive repentance from his offenders. He has made mercy incumbent on Himself (Vr. 6:12 & 54). He Himself enjoins upon the sinners to seek His pardon (Vr. 4:106) He bestows His mercy on whomsoever He pleases, and also entitles him to rewards. He is such a merciful judge that He does not wait to punish but to pardon. Hence before the matter comes to be tried, He invites repentance and even encourages the sinners to make haste in seeking His pardon. He never wants any sinner to be dejected and go hopeless of His mercy. But, the pardon is granted only when it is asked in time. It is said that ‘Wahshi’ the assassin of Hazrat Hamza at the Battle of Ohad, got hopeless of being forgiven by God and hence did not embrace Islam but when he came to know of this verse, he joined the ranks of the faithful.
In a Hadith al-Qudsi, Allah says:
It were not for ‘Ruku’ (kneeling) of elders, suckling babies, grazing animals, humble youths, indeed I would have made the sky of steel, the earth of copper and the mud of pebbles. I would have not sent a single drop of water from the sky and grown a single grain from the earth. I would have poured on you My worst wrath.
He also says:
O Son of Adam! If people know what I know about you, not one of My creatures will say Salaam to you. If your brother just smells your sin, he will never sit beside you. Your sins are increasing everyday and your life is decreasing. Don’t waste your life in falsehood and carelessness. If you want more, then be in the company of the generous. Seek refuge from the worldly people and mix with the deprived.
