Most Common Questions asked by Non-Muslims
who have some knowledge of Islam
who have some knowledge of Islam
Q17.Is Allah forgiving or revengeful?
Question:
The
Qur’an says several times that Allah is most Merciful and Forgiving but also
says many times that He gives severe punishment. Is He Forgiving or Revengeful?
IS ALLAH FORGIVING OR REVENGEFUL?
Answer:
1.
Allah is most Merciful:
The
Qur’an says several times that Allah is the most Merciful. In fact all the
114 Surahs i.e. chapters of the Glorious Qur’an except for Surah Taubah,
(chapter 9) begin with the beautiful formula, “Bismillahhir Rahmannir Rahim”,
which means, “In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful”.
2.
Allah is Forgiving:
The
Glorious Qur’an mentions in several verses including Surah Nisa, chapter 4 verse
25 and Surah Maidah, chapter 5 verse 74:
“And
Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.”
3.
Allah gives severe punishment to the deserving:
Allah
besides being Merciful and Forgiving is also strict in giving punishment to the
deserving. The Qur’an mentions in several verses that Allah will give severe punishment
to the unbelievers and rejecters of faith. He will give punishment to all those
who disobey Him. Several verses of the Qur’an describe the various types of severe
punishment that Allah will give in hell to all those who disobey.
“Those who reject our Signs, we shall soon cast into the Fire; as often as their skins Are roasted through, We shall change them for fresh skins, that they may taste the Penalty: for Allah is Exalted in Power, Wise”.
[Al-Qur’an 4:56]
4. Allah
is Just:
The
question is whether Allah is forgiving or revengeful. An important point to be noted
is that Allah besides being Merciful and Forgiving, He also has to give severe punishment
to the deserving wicked or evil people, because He is also Just. The Qur’an
mentions in Surah Nisa:
“Allah
is never unjust in the least degree”.
[Al-Qur’an 4:40]
It is further mentioned in Surah Al-Ambiya:
“We shall set up scales of justice for the day of Judgement, so that not a soul will be dealt with unjustly in the least. And if there be (no more than) the weight of a mustard seed, we will bring it (to account): and enough are we to take account”.
[Al-Qur’an 21:47]
5. Example:
Teacher forgives a student who copies in the examination:
If
during an examination, a student copies and the teacher who supervises in the examinations
catches the student red-handed, the teacher says that he is very merciful and
kind and forgives him and allows him to continue copying. Those students who
have worked hard for the examination will not call the teacher merciful and
kind but will call him unjust. This merciful act of the teacher will encourage
the other students to also copy. If all the teachers are merciful and kind and
allow the students to copy then no student will ever study for examinations and
all will pass with flying colours by copying. The theoretical results of the
examinations will be excellent in which all the students will pass with first
class and distinction but practically these students will be a failure in life.
The whole purpose of the examination would be defeated.
6. This
Life is a Test for the Hereafter:
The
life in this world is a test for the Hereafter. The Qur’an says in Surah Al
Mulk: “He who created Death and Life, that He may try which of you is best in
deed; and He is the Exalted in Might, Oft-Forgiving”.
[Al-Qur’an 67:2]
7. If
Allah forgives all and punishes none, who will obey him?
If
Allah (swt) forgives each and every human being and punishes no one then why should
the human beings obey the command of Allah (swt)? I do agree that no one will
go to hell, but this world would become hell to live in. If all human beings
are going to go to heaven then this life cannot be called a test for the
hereafter.
8. Allah
only forgives if a person repents:
Allah
(swt) only forgives if a person repents. The Qur’an says in Surah Al-Zumar, chapter
39 verse 53-55:
“Say: ‘O my servants who have transgressed against their souls! Despair not of the Mercy of Allah: for Allah forgives all sins for He is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.
“Turn
ye to your Lord (in repentance) and bow to His (will), before the penalty comes
on you - after that ye shall not be helped.
“And follow the best of (the courses) revealed to you from your Lord, before the penalty comes on you - of a sudden, while ye perceive not!’ ”
[Al-Qur’an 39:53-55]
first, agree that the act is wrong.
Secondly, stop it immediately.
Thirdly, never do it again in future and
lastly, compensate for the loss if caused to anyone.
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