God’s Mercy and Anger

TEHRAN (IQNA) – In Islamic teachings there is lots of talking about God’s mercy as well as His anger.

The theology of hope tells us that which one of these two is more dominant in our view determines the direction of our conduct in the world.

We read in Dua Jawshan Kabeer: “O He, from Whom no hope is entertained save by His Grace, O He, from Whom nothing is begged save His Pardon, O He, of Whom nothing is seen save His Goodness, O He, from Whom nothing is feared save His Justice, O He, Whose sovereignty alone of eternal, O He, Who alone has true majesty, O He, Whose blessings extend to all, O He, Whose Wrath is surpassed by His Mercy, O He, Whose knowledge encompasses everything, O He, Who is without equal,...”

When we read this part “O He, Whose Wrath is surpassed by His Mercy,” we think that God’s mercy is more than his anger. But Ayatollah Javadi Amoli presents a beautiful and profound picture in this regard.

He says mercy is among God’s attributes for which there is no opposite attribute in God. Anger is not the opposite of mercy and this part of the supplication does not mean that God’s mercy is greater than His anger, but it means that the foundation of the world is mercy.

God has created the world based on mercy. Anger is the opposite of Rahim not the opposite of Rahmat (mercy). The world has been created well and goodness of the world is recognized by theologians and mystics. God has based the world on mercy and everyone benefits from God’s mercy. Some also benefit from God’s compassion and there are some who face His anger. But what is prevalent in the entire world and all benefit from is God’s mercy.

In Sahifeh Sajjadiyeh we read: “O God, O He through whose Mercy sinners seek aid! … Thou art He who "embracest everything in mercy and knowledge"! Thou art He who hast appointed for each creature a share of Thy favors! Thou art He whose pardon is higher than His punishment! Thou art He whose mercy runs before His wrath!”

Because God’s mercy runs before His anger, and because God’s creation is the basis of creation, the theology of hope tells us that we should employ this in our daily life as a criterion.