🕊️ The Mercy of God
Almost every chapter of the Quran opens with the words “In the name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.” In our translation these two names, “the Most Gracious” and “the Most Merciful”, both come from the same Arabic root meaning mercy. The Quran says that God has prescribed mercy for Himself and that His mercy encompasses all things.
In the Quran, mercy stands very close to forgiveness. Those who have wronged themselves are told again and again not to despair of the mercy of God, and God is described as Most Forgiving, Most Merciful toward whoever repents and mends his ways. At the same time the Quran says that God’s mercy is near to those who do good, so the human response is part of the picture as well.
The Quran also invites its listeners to look for the traces of mercy in the world around them: rain that revives dead land, favours too many to count, and the gentleness of the Messenger toward the people. The verses below are grouped by these themes.
(紹介文は英語です)
God, the Most Merciful
- 1:1-3
The opening chapter names God the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَٰنِ الرَّحِيمِ
비스밀 라히 르r라흐마니 르r라힘
In the name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ رَبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ
알함두 릴라히 r랍빌 알라민
Praise be to God, Lord of all the worlds,
الرَّحْمَٰنِ الرَّحِيمِ
아르r라흐마니 르r라힘
the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful,
- 6:12
God has prescribed mercy for Himself.
قُلْ لِمَنْ مَا فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ ۖ قُلْ لِلَّهِ ۚ كَتَبَ عَلَىٰ نَفْسِهِ الرَّحْمَةَ ۚ لَيَجْمَعَنَّكُمْ إِلَىٰ يَوْمِ الْقِيَامَةِ لَا رَيْبَ فِيهِ ۚ الَّذِينَ خَسِرُوا أَنْفُسَهُمْ فَهُمْ لَا يُؤْمِنُونَ
꿀 리맘 마 f핏 사마와티 왈아r르디 꿀 릴라히 카타바 알라 나f프시히 르r라흐마타 라야즈마안나쿰 일라 야우밀 끼야마티 라 r라이바 f피힐 라ð디나 카시r루 안f푸사훔 f파훔 라 유으미눈
Say, ‘To whom belongs whatever is in the heavens and the earth?’ Say, ‘To God.’ He has prescribed mercy for Himself. He will surely gather you on the Day of Resurrection, about which there is no doubt. Those who have lost their own souls, they will not believe.
- 7:156
God’s mercy encompasses all things, and He ordains it for the mindful.
وَاكْتُبْ لَنَا فِي هَٰذِهِ الدُّنْيَا حَسَنَةً وَفِي الْآخِرَةِ إِنَّا هُدْنَا إِلَيْكَ ۚ قَالَ عَذَابِي أُصِيبُ بِهِ مَنْ أَشَاءُ ۖ وَرَحْمَتِي وَسِعَتْ كُلَّ شَيْءٍ ۚ فَسَأَكْتُبُهَا لِلَّذِينَ يَتَّقُونَ وَيُؤْتُونَ الزَّكَاةَ وَالَّذِينَ هُمْ بِآيَاتِنَا يُؤْمِنُونَ
와크투브 라나 f피 하ð디힛 둔야 하사나탄 와f필 아키r라티 인나 후드나 일라이카 깔라 아ð다비 우시부 비히 만 아샤우 와r라흐마티 와시아트 쿨라 샤이인 f파사악투부하 릴라ð디나 얏타꾸나 와유으투낫 자카타 왈라ð디나 훔 비아야티나 유으미눈
And ordain for us good in this world and in the Hereafter. We have turned to You.” He said, “My punishment—I strike with it whom I will, but My mercy encompasses all things. I will ordain it for those who are mindful of Me and give the alms (zakat), and those who believe in Our signs—
- 40:7
The Throne-bearers pray to a Lord who encompasses all things in mercy and knowledge.
الَّذِينَ يَحْمِلُونَ الْعَرْشَ وَمَنْ حَوْلَهُ يُسَبِّحُونَ بِحَمْدِ رَبِّهِمْ وَيُؤْمِنُونَ بِهِ وَيَسْتَغْفِرُونَ لِلَّذِينَ آمَنُوا رَبَّنَا وَسِعْتَ كُلَّ شَيْءٍ رَحْمَةً وَعِلْمًا فَاغْفِرْ لِلَّذِينَ تَابُوا وَاتَّبَعُوا سَبِيلَكَ وَقِهِمْ عَذَابَ الْجَحِيمِ
알라ð디나 야흐밀루날 아r르샤 와만 하울라후 유삽비후나 비함디 r랍비힘 와유으미누나 비히 와야스타그f피r루나 릴라ð디나 아마누 r랍바나 와시으타 쿨라 샤이인 r라흐마탄 와일만 f파그f피r르 릴라ð디나 타부 왓타바우 사빌라카 와끼힘 아ð다발 자힘
Those who bear the Throne, and those around it, glorify the praise of their Lord, believe in Him, and ask forgiveness for those who believe: "Our Lord, You encompass all things in mercy and knowledge, so forgive those who repent and follow Your way, and protect them from the punishment of the Blaze.
Do Not Despair of Mercy
- 39:53
Those who have sinned against themselves must not despair of God’s mercy.
قُلْ يَا عِبَادِيَ الَّذِينَ أَسْرَفُوا عَلَىٰ أَنْفُسِهِمْ لَا تَقْنَطُوا مِنْ رَحْمَةِ اللَّهِ ۚ إِنَّ اللَّهَ يَغْفِرُ الذُّنُوبَ جَمِيعًا ۚ إِنَّهُ هُوَ الْغَفُورُ الرَّحِيمُ
꿀 야 이바디얄 라ð디나 아스r라f푸 알라 안f푸시힘 라 타끄나뚜 민 r라흐마틸 라히 인날 라하 야그f피r룻 ð두누바 자미안 인나후 후왈 가f푸r루 르r라힘
Say, "O My servants who have transgressed against themselves, do not despair of the mercy of God. God forgives all sins. He is the Most Forgiving, the Most Merciful.
- 15:56
Only those who are astray despair of their Lord’s mercy.
قَالَ وَمَنْ يَقْنَطُ مِنْ رَحْمَةِ رَبِّهِ إِلَّا الضَّالُّونَ
깔라 와만 야끄나뚜 민 r라흐마티 r랍비히 일랏 달룬
He said, "And who despairs of his Lord's mercy except those who are astray?"
- 6:54
Whoever does evil in ignorance, then repents and reforms, finds God forgiving and merciful.
وَإِذَا جَاءَكَ الَّذِينَ يُؤْمِنُونَ بِآيَاتِنَا فَقُلْ سَلَامٌ عَلَيْكُمْ ۖ كَتَبَ رَبُّكُمْ عَلَىٰ نَفْسِهِ الرَّحْمَةَ ۖ أَنَّهُ مَنْ عَمِلَ مِنْكُمْ سُوءًا بِجَهَالَةٍ ثُمَّ تَابَ مِنْ بَعْدِهِ وَأَصْلَحَ فَأَنَّهُ غَفُورٌ رَحِيمٌ
와이ð다 자아칼 라ð디나 유으미누나 비아야티나 f파꿀 살라문 알라이쿰 카타바 r랍부쿰 알라 나f프시히 르r라흐마타 안나후 만 아밀라 민쿰 수암 비자할라틴 θ숨마 타바 밈 바으디히 와아슬라하 f파안나후 가f푸r룬 r라힘
When those who believe in Our signs come to you, say, ‘Peace be upon you. Your Lord has prescribed mercy for Himself: whoever of you does evil out of ignorance, then repents afterwards and mends his ways, He is Most Forgiving, Most Merciful.’
- 4:110
Whoever wrongs himself and then seeks forgiveness will find God forgiving and merciful.
وَمَنْ يَعْمَلْ سُوءًا أَوْ يَظْلِمْ نَفْسَهُ ثُمَّ يَسْتَغْفِرِ اللَّهَ يَجِدِ اللَّهَ غَفُورًا رَحِيمًا
와만 야으말 수안 아우 야ð들림 나f프사후 θ숨마 야스타그f피r릴 라하 야지딜 라하 가f푸r란 r라히마
Whoever does evil or wrongs himself, and then asks God's forgiveness, will find God Most Forgiving, Most Merciful.
- 7:56
Call on God in fear and hope; His mercy is near to those who do good.
وَلَا تُفْسِدُوا فِي الْأَرْضِ بَعْدَ إِصْلَاحِهَا وَادْعُوهُ خَوْفًا وَطَمَعًا ۚ إِنَّ رَحْمَتَ اللَّهِ قَرِيبٌ مِنَ الْمُحْسِنِينَ
왈라 투f프시두 f필 아r르디 바으다 이슬라히하 와드우후 카우f판 와따마안 인나 r라흐마탈 라히 까r리붐 미날 무흐시닌
Do not spread corruption on the earth after it has been set right, and call on Him in fear and hope. The mercy of God is near to those who do good.
Signs of Mercy in Creation
- 30:50
Reviving dead land is pointed to as a trace of God’s mercy.
فَانْظُرْ إِلَىٰ آثَارِ رَحْمَتِ اللَّهِ كَيْفَ يُحْيِي الْأَرْضَ بَعْدَ مَوْتِهَا ۚ إِنَّ ذَٰلِكَ لَمُحْيِي الْمَوْتَىٰ ۖ وَهُوَ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدِيرٌ
f판ð두r르 일라 아θ사r리 r라흐마틸 라히 카이f파 유흐일 아r르다 바으다 마우티하 인나 ð달리카 라무흐일 마우타 와후와 알라 쿨리 샤이인 까디r르
So look at the traces of God’s mercy — how He gives life to the earth after its death. That same One will surely give life to the dead, and He has power over all things.
- 42:28
God sends rain after people despair and spreads out His mercy.
وَهُوَ الَّذِي يُنَزِّلُ الْغَيْثَ مِنْ بَعْدِ مَا قَنَطُوا وَيَنْشُرُ رَحْمَتَهُ ۚ وَهُوَ الْوَلِيُّ الْحَمِيدُ
와후왈 라ð디 유낫질룰 가이θ사 밈 바으디 마 까나뚜 와얀슈r루 r라흐마타후 와후왈 왈리율 하미드
It is He who sends down the rain after they have despaired, and spreads out His mercy. He is the Protector, the Praiseworthy.
- 7:57
Winds come as good news ahead of His mercy, bringing rain and fruit.
وَهُوَ الَّذِي يُرْسِلُ الرِّيَاحَ بُشْرًا بَيْنَ يَدَيْ رَحْمَتِهِ ۖ حَتَّىٰ إِذَا أَقَلَّتْ سَحَابًا ثِقَالًا سُقْنَاهُ لِبَلَدٍ مَيِّتٍ فَأَنْزَلْنَا بِهِ الْمَاءَ فَأَخْرَجْنَا بِهِ مِنْ كُلِّ الثَّمَرَاتِ ۚ كَذَٰلِكَ نُخْرِجُ الْمَوْتَىٰ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَذَكَّرُونَ
와후왈 라ð디 유r르실루 르r리야하 부시r람 바이나 야다이 r라흐마티히 핫타 이ð다 아깔라트 사하반 θ시깔란 수끄나후 리발라딤 마이틴 f파안잘나 비힐 마아 f파아흐r라즈나 비히 민 쿨릿 θ사마r라티 카ð달리카 누흐r리줄 마우타 라알라쿰 타ð닥카r룬
It is He who sends the winds as good news ahead of His mercy, until, when they carry heavy clouds, We drive them to a dead land and send down water there, and bring forth by it every kind of fruit. Thus will We bring forth the dead, so that you may take heed.
- 16:18
God’s favours are too many to count; He is forgiving and merciful.
وَإِنْ تَعُدُّوا نِعْمَةَ اللَّهِ لَا تُحْصُوهَا ۗ إِنَّ اللَّهَ لَغَفُورٌ رَحِيمٌ
와인 타웃두 니으마탈 라히 라 투흐수하 인날 라하 라가f푸r룬 r라힘
If you were to count God's favours, you could not number them. God is Most Forgiving, Most Merciful.
Mercy Through People
- 21:107
The Messenger was sent only as a mercy for all the worlds.
وَمَا أَرْسَلْنَاكَ إِلَّا رَحْمَةً لِلْعَالَمِينَ
와마 아r르살나카 일라 r라흐마탈 릴알라민
We have not sent you except as a mercy for all the worlds.
- 3:159
The Messenger’s gentleness toward people is described as a mercy from God.
فَبِمَا رَحْمَةٍ مِنَ اللَّهِ لِنْتَ لَهُمْ ۖ وَلَوْ كُنْتَ فَظًّا غَلِيظَ الْقَلْبِ لَانْفَضُّوا مِنْ حَوْلِكَ ۖ فَاعْفُ عَنْهُمْ وَاسْتَغْفِرْ لَهُمْ وَشَاوِرْهُمْ فِي الْأَمْرِ ۖ فَإِذَا عَزَمْتَ فَتَوَكَّلْ عَلَى اللَّهِ ۚ إِنَّ اللَّهَ يُحِبُّ الْمُتَوَكِّلِينَ
f파비마 r라흐마팀 미날 라히 린타 라훔 왈라우 쿤타 f팟ð단 갈리ð달 깔비 란f팟두 민 하울리카 f파으f푸 안훔 와스타그f피r르 라훔 와샤위r르훔 f필 암r리 f파이ð다 아잠타 f파타왁칼 알랄 라히 인날 라하 유힙불 무타왁킬린
It is through mercy from God that you were gentle with them; had you been coarse and hard-hearted, they would have broken away from around you. So pardon them, seek forgiveness for them, and take counsel with them in the affair. Then, once you have made up your mind, rely on God. God loves those who rely [on Him].
- 9:128
The Messenger cares about their suffering and is kind and merciful to believers.
لَقَدْ جَاءَكُمْ رَسُولٌ مِنْ أَنْفُسِكُمْ عَزِيزٌ عَلَيْهِ مَا عَنِتُّمْ حَرِيصٌ عَلَيْكُمْ بِالْمُؤْمِنِينَ رَءُوفٌ رَحِيمٌ
라까드 자아쿰 r라술룸 민 안f푸시쿰 아지준 알라이히 마 아닛툼 하r리순 알라이쿰 빌무으미니나 r라우f푼 r라힘
There has come to you a Messenger from among yourselves. Your suffering weighs heavily on him; he is deeply concerned for you, and to the believers he is kind and merciful.