Do Not Despair Of Allah’S Mercy

[ummtaalib]

 

From a lecture by Shaykh Muhammad Saleem Dhorat,
“UM365 - Allah ki be intihaa rahmat”

In this lecture our respected Shaykh (hafizahullah) relates two inspiring, heart softening stories. Despite our disobedience and disloyalty to Allah subhaanahu wata’ala we need not despair of His mercy as He remains loyal and His grace knows no bounds.

Once the great Shaykh, Zun Noon Misri was walking along a river bank when he noticed that a scorpion ran towards a tortoise, jumped onto its back and the tortoise started swimming across the river. On reaching the other side the scorpion jumped off and raced towards a tree nearby. Zun Noon Misri, amazed at this scenario had followed and he noticed that a man was sleeping under the tree and it occurred to him that the man was probably a sinful person and Allah subhaanahu wata’ala had sent the scorpion as a punishment. As he neared the tree he noticed a huge python moving towards the sleeping person and to his amazement the scorpion leapt at the python, attacked and killed it. Thereafter it ran back to the riverbank, jumped onto the waiting tortoise which carried its load to the other side where they both separated and went their own way.

The great Shaykh wondered at this amazing episode. He sat by the man waiting for him to wake up thinking he must be a very special friend of Allah subhaanahu wata’ala for Him to create such measures for his safety. When the man finally woke up Zun Noon Misri was shocked because he could smell the stench of alcohol on his breath. At that moment he was inspired by Allah subhaanahu wata’ala with the following words, “O Zun Noon, why are you shocked? This slave, sinful as he maybe, is My slave”!

The second story is about Musa ‘alayhis salaam and Qaaroon whose enmity for the Prophet knew no bounds. After a long time Musa ‘alayhis salaam’s patience wore out and turning to Allah subhaanahu wata’ala he asked that Qaaroon be punished. Allah subhaanahu wata’ala put the earth at his disposal and Musa ‘alayhis salaam commanded the earth to swallow up Qaaroon. Upon this command Qaaroon sank into the earth up to his ankles. He started pleading with Musa ‘alayhis salaam who ignored him and commanded the earth to continue. Qaaroon sank in up to his knees and his fear increased. He pleaded for forgiveness and promised not to persecute him ever again. Musa ‘alayhis salaam refused to accept as he had indeed been tried much and he commanded the earth once again to continue. Qaaroon sank into the earth up to his waist and then as Qaroon continued to beg for forgiveness and mercy he finally disappeared completely.

At this Jibra’eel the Angel descended with a message from Allah subhaanahu wata’ala saying, “O Musa, when Qaaroon pleaded with you over and over again you refused to relent. If he had but turned to Me just once I would have forgiven him.”

In these stories lies a great lesson for us. We need not despair of the mercy of Allah subhaanahu wata’ala. Despite our disloyalty to Him, he remains loyal to us and does not push us away! Not only that but every occasion of Hajj, Umrah, Ramadhaan etc are but an excuse to forgive us, His disobedient servants!

“He made enmity with Shaytaan
when he refused to show respect to Insaan (human).
Now Insaan betrays Ar-Rahmaan
and befriends the enemy Shaytaan.”