WRATH, MERCY

The Two Attributes of God

WRATH and mercy, both are attributes of God. If a person assumes that God created man in order to make him experience His wrath, then it will undoubtedly be an underestimation of God, the Lord of the universe. It is more correct to say that God created man so that He might make him experience His mercy. This concept is in accordance with the glory of God. This fact is stated in the Quran thus: My mercy encompasses all things. (7: 156) This fact is again emphasized in a Hadith as follows: My mercy prevails over my wrath. (Sahih al Bukhari)

The father has a noble and loving passion for his son, which is called fatherliness. This passion compels the father to take care of his son’s mistake, not to let his son suffer the consequences of his mistake. The Creator undoubtedly possesses this attributes many times greater than the father. Because of this attribute, God’s mercy overcomes His wrath. In the same way, when God’s servant thinks of his Merciful Creator, his hope of mercy from God prevails his fear of God’s retribution. He hopes that his Merciful Creator will overlook his wrongdoings; that He will save him from the consequences of his misconduct. This realization assures man of God’s mercy.

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God’s mercy overcomes His wrath. When God’s servant thinks of his Merciful Creator, his hope of receiving mercy from God prevails the fear of God’s retribution. He hopes that his Merciful Creator will overlook his wrongdoings.

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This concept of life creates in man a temperament that on the one hand, he is always afraid of the grip of the Hereafter, on the other hand, this same feeling creates in him the mentality that he is always hopeful of God’s mercy. God's attribute of mercy is the norm, while His wrath is an exception.