Allah’s Mercy: More Than a Mother‘s Love

The concept of Allah’s Mercy is both vast and unfathomable, surpassing even the deep love and compassion we witness in a mother’s mercy in Islam. As parents, we experience a fraction of this mercy through the bonds we share with our children. This reflection explores the powerful connection between a mother’s love and the immense mercy of Allah (swt), reminding us that Allah is more merciful than a mother could ever be. 

The Journey of Parenthood: Two Hearts in One Body

Getting my 2.5-year-old daughter to go to bed at night is quite the operation. It involves tears (I won’t say whose tears), arguments and – in all honesty – a fair amount of bribery. When her eyes finally close and she drifts off into the realm of dreams, I breathe a long sigh of relief. And sometimes, as she peacefully dreams about whatever little girls dream about, I lay my hand over her chest to feel her heart beat. 

Two Hearts in One Body: Mother’s Mercy in Islam

Those soft, rhythmic pulsations remind me that I used to have two hearts in my body, both beating simultaneously – both connected, but separate. This beautiful bond reminds me of a mother’s mercy in Islam.  

Despite her tantrums or refusals to eat, my love for her doesn’t waver. It’s as if when she was born, she not only took her own heart but carried a piece of mine with her. No matter how often she does the things she knows are off-limits, or refuses to eat or get dressed or brush her hair, the mercy I have for her doesn’t waver.  

Loving her and having mercy on her is easier than loving and having mercy on myself. She is from me– as though when she was born, she took her own heart with her, and also a piece of mine. 

It so happens that when she does something wrong then says, “I’m sorry,” all the threads of frustration that had twisted themselves into angry knots in my chest are immediately untied. She nestles herself into my embrace, as though no wrong was ever done… 

Allah’s More Merciful Than a Mother

The Prophet Muhammad (saw) taught us that no doubt Allah’s more merciful than a mother. Allah’s Mercy towards His believing slaves is greater than a mother’s mercy in Islam, towards her child. 

For instance, Umar ibn Khattab reported that there were brought some prisoners to Allah’s Messenger (saw) amongst whom there was also a woman, who was searching (for someone) and when she found a child amongst the prisoners, she took hold of it, pressed it against her chest and provided it suck.  

Thereupon Allah’s Messenger (saw) said:

“Do you think this woman would ever afford to throw her child in the Fire?” 

We said: 

“By Allah, so far as it lies in her power, she would never throw the child in Fire.”  

“Allah is more kind to His servants than this woman is to her child.” 

Understanding Allah’s Mercy Through a Mother’s Mercy in Islam 

I didn’t understand this hadith until I had a child of my own. Sure, I understood it theoretically, but I didn’t feel it. As a parent I accept my child as they are, because that’s what motherhood is, but Allah’s mercy, love and acceptance of his creation is much more. (Such is the beauty of Islam – every stage of life opens your eyes to new meanings and new understandings of the faith).  

If Allah’s mercy is greater on me than I have on my own child, my own second heart beating outside my body, I can never lose hope in His Mercy. If I easily forgive my daughter for her mistakes, I should expect an even greater and more merciful response from Allah (swt) when I seek His Forgiveness for a sin.

Choosing Allah Over All Others: A Testament to His Mercy 

A famous scholar once said that if he were to have the option of having either Allah (swt) judge him on the Final Day, or his parents judge him – he would undoubtedly choose Allah. He uttered this statement knowing full well that his parents would never wish to cause him even the slightest harm. But still, Allah (swt) is more merciful than a parent to her/his child. 

We think that the mercy we have towards our young ones is our own doing. We chalk it up to maternal instinct. But the truth is, that mercy and love is a gift bestowed upon our hearts by Allah. 

The Prophet Muhammad (saw) said,  

“Allah divided mercy into one-hundred parts and He kept its ninety-nine parts with Him and sent down its one part on the earth. And because of that, its one single part, His creations are Merciful to each other, so that even the mare lifts up its hoofs away from its baby animal, lest it should trample on it.” 

Conclusion

Your mercy towards your children is a manifestation of that one portion of Allah’s mercy placed for us on this earth… 

I understand the mercy I have in my heart for my daughter. I acknowledge that I will sacrifice anything I can to prevent harm from coming to her. I know that I can give up my own dreams so that she may live out hers. I realize that it will take just one sincere embrace, one sincere “I’m sorry” from her to make it okay between us. 

And still, I know. Allah’s more merciful than a mother, Me.  

And still, with Him are 99 portions of Mercy; a number and an amount that no human mind can comprehend. 

May Allah (swt) include us in His Mercy, which  

“Encompasses all things” (7:156).