God’s Rahmah (Loving Grace) in Islam

Dr. M. OmarMarch 2012, Orlando

www.islamfromwithin.net

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What is Rahmah?Rahmah: The quality of abounding grace inherent

in, and inseparable from, the concept of God’s being (Ibn Qayyim)

Rahmah: “Look at the loving care and tenderness (hanan) and loving kindness of the mother to her

baby…” (Sha’rawi, Quran exegesis)

“Rahmah” is derived from RHM, which is the womb. Sustenance and all needs come from there.

What is Rahmah?Mercy: the act of forgiving someone or not treating them

severely, especially someone who you have the authority to punish (Webster)

Grace: the love and kindness that God gives to people

Compassion: a feeling of sympathy for someone who is in a bad situation because you understand and care about them

(Webster)

Love: to care very much about someone

Rahmah: Loving Grace

Understanding difficulties in life…

Every theological and spiritual issue is based on this reality (God’s Loving Grace - Rahmah).

Without it, we cannot proceed…

When we recognize God’s all-encompassing grace, we can understand the wisdom behind

difficulties in our life…

Cultural luggage…

Weak slaves that are worshipping God in

fear of his wrath

Angry, powerful God

Is this really the case?

What do the Scriptures and the Prophets (p) teach us?

How should we think of grace vs. wrath?

How can this transform our daily life?

ء� ي ش� �ل� ك ع�ت و�س� �ي ح م�ت و�ر�“My loving grace overspreads every thing” (Quran 7:56)

�ح م�ة ر� ي ء� ش� �ل� ك ع ت� و�س� �ا �ن ب ر�“Our Sustainer! You embrace all things within your loving

grace” (Quran 40:7)

ه� �ف س� ن �ى' ع�ل �ب� �ت ك �ه� ,ل ق�لل ر ض� � و�األ م�او�ات� الس� ف�ي م�ا ,م�ن ل �ق�ل �

ح م�ة� الر�“Say: “Unto whom belongs all that is in the heavens and on earth?” Say: "Unto God, who has willed upon Himself

loving grace” (Quran 6:12)

Saying of Prophet Muhammad (p): “God says: … My loving grace prevails over My anger”

I need to satisfy my mind and

heart

Being spiritual and talking about love of God is not

playing Pollyanna…

“Love of God” is about seeing the reality as it is,

with both our intellects and heart

If it is the truth, everything in creation should confirm

it…

Let’s reflect…

Saying of Prophet Muhammad (p):“God’s loving grace towards His creatures is

(infinitely) more than a mother’s towards her baby”

Let’s reflect on an example…

A loving mother is preparing a surprise party for her daughter…

• The outcome

A surprise party

• Determines, specifies, shapes

General structure is determined

• Knowledge and wisdom

Acts of ordering and choosing

• Artistry, loving care

Every little detail is thought of

• Will to beautify and intention to decorate

Inherent qualities of inner beauty and adornment

• The whole party and its every little detail is an embodiment of the grace and generosity

Loving Grace and Generosity

• Every action arises from her pure, unconditional love and loving grace• Because she is full of beauty and perfection• Nothing is expected in return

• She is known/witnessed through each of her actions, which shows her attributes stemming from her loving grace

Her loving grace is overflowing…

Let’s reflect on the Prophetic saying again:

“God’s loving grace towards His creatures is (infinitely) more than a mother’s towards her

baby”

I can witness and experience all the Divine

Attributes

“And He taught Adam all the Names”(Quran 2:31)

• The outcome

World, plants, animals, humans, angels, everything, small and big

• Determines, specifies, shapes [All-Determiner (Muqaddir), All-Designer (Munazzim), All-Fashioner (Musawwir)]

General shape is determined

• Knowledge and wisdom [All-Knowing (Alim), All-Wise (Hakim)]

Acts of ordering and shaping

• Artistry, loving care [Artist (Sani’), Generous (Karim)]

Every little detail is thought of

• Will to beautify and intention to decorate [Beautiful (Jameel), Muzayyin]

Inherent qualities of inner beauty and adornment

• The whole creation and its every little detail is an embodiment of His grace and generosity [Gracious (Rahim), Munificent (Mun’im)]

Loving Grace and Generosity

• Every creation arises from His pure love and loving grace (Rahmah, Tawaddud)• Because He is full of beauty and perfection (Jameel zhul-Kamal)• Nothing is expected in return

• He is known/witnessed through each of His actions which shows His attributes stemming from His loving grace (Rahmah)

His love and loving grace are overflowing…

God’s Loving Grace is the cause of all creation

Loving Grace

(Rahmah)

Wisdom(Hikmah)

Creation

The fabric of the universe isLOVE

Meaning

Material

Reality

• The Prophets’ way: “We have sent you only as loving grace to humankind” (Quran 21:107)

• Surrendering: The natural way

• Paradise: Now and forever

Illusion• Apparent freedom, but real

slavery• Hell: Now and forever

I Choose

(Loving Grace)

(God creates)

• How are things created?Unity of God• Why are things created?• Why am I created? Who am I?Love & Grace

I can witness and experience all the Divine

attributes

When I witness the Loving Grace, I fall in love with Him…

When I fall in love with Him, I fulfill my purpose of creation

Meanwhile, I am transformed too!

Life is paradise, now!Wow! Thank you!

“And He taught Adam all the Names”(Quran 2:31)

What about fear of God?

Reality

Illusion

I Choose

Reality: Loving Grace

(Loving Grace)

Fear of God is the fear to lose the Loving Grace

Like a child hugging her mother, and saying: “Never leave me alone!”

CAUTION:Our ego might not like this reality!

We might insist on our illusions: It is all dark (despair)

Religion is hardWorship God in fear

It is all about destiny (fatalism)

Ego does not want change (law of physics!)

If I built my life on the illusion that it is dark, I don’t want to see that it is actually not!

My pride does not want to accept I have been wrong

Who else might not like this reality?

Those who exploit fear-mongering rhetoric!

Fear is an easy way to control the masses...

It has been used for ages!

I can witness and experience all the Divine

attributes

ء� ي ش� �ل� ك ع�ت و�س� �ي ح م�ت و�ر�“My loving grace overspreads every thing”

(Quran 7:56)

�ح م�ة ر� ي ء� ش� �ل� ك ع ت� و�س� �ا �ن ب ر�“Our Sustainer! You embrace all things

within your loving grace”(Quran 40:7)

�ه� ,ل ل 7ا ب ح� د9 �ش� أ �وا آم�ن �ذ�ين� و�ال“...those who have attained to faith love God more than all else” (Quran 2:165)

How would our lives be transformed with this reality?

What stops us from feeling God’s love every moment?

“And He taught Adam all the Names”(Quran 2:31)