Embracing The Gifted Mercy

“And We have not sent you, [O Muhammad], except as a mercy to the worlds” (21:107). In the blessed month of Rabi‘ al-Awwal, the gifted Mercy to creation – Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) – was born. He himself said (peace and blessings be upon him): “O people, I am but a gifted mercy.”

On the anniversary of his birth, one should reflect on his noble qualities and exalted status, for remembering them inspires one to emulate him. Yet, this remembrance must remain within the bounds of moderation. Exaggeration in celebrating his birth may, actually, harm rather than honor him. The Chosen One (peace and blessings be upon him) cautioned us: “Do not exaggerate in praising me as the Christians exaggerated in praising Jesus, the son of Mary. I am but a servant, so say: ‘The Servant of Allah and His Messenger.’”

One also should not go to the opposite extreme by excessively criticizing or rejecting any commemoration to the point of harshness or dismissiveness toward such a significant occasion. The very act of remembering this event serves as a valuable means of recalling the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) and sending blessings upon him – as he (peace and blessings be upon him) said: “Whoever sends blessings upon me once, Allah will send blessings upon him tenfold.”

Allah’s words, “And We have not sent you except as a mercy to the worlds,” indicate that the term mercy is attributed to the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) as an intrinsic quality. When it is added that the described being is confined to this attribute, it subtly implies that the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) was united with mercy and encompassed by it, so that his very existence became mercy, and all his surroundings and activities reflected mercy.

How can one embrace this gifted mercy?

A servant must first reflect upon the signs of Allah’s mercy in the universe, as Allah says: “So observe the effects of the mercy of Allah – how He gives life to the earth after its lifelessness. Indeed, that [same One] will give life to the dead, and He is over all things competent” (30:50).

The effects of mercy vary according to the state of the recipient. The purer and more receptive the heart, the more complete and abundant the effects of mercy become – manifesting as meaningful life, joy, and tranquility. For servants to truly benefit from the gifted mercy, they must strive to purify themselves and become a worthy recipient. This is achieved through honoring the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), and following the light revealed with him — the Quran and the Sunnah. Allah (swt) says: “So they who have believed in him, honored him, supported him, and followed the light which was sent down with him — it is they who will be successful” (7:157).

What, then, is this mercy, and what is its true meaning?

This mercy is a beacon, a guide, and a leader, enabling the servant to absorb its effects in both soul and conduct, and to use it as a compass for navigating life. At its core, this mercy revolves around submission to Allah, arising from the Prophet’s (peace and blessings be upon him) perfect knowledge of his Lord. Every action of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) was in harmony with Allah’s pleasure; he (peace and blessings be upon him) was the purest light and the perfect guidance for all. Did not Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) describe him as a “walking Quran?”

The Prophet’s state in every matter was mercy, and everything that befell him was, in itself, an expression of mercy. True mercy is not merely found in the events that occur, but in the Prophet’s (peace and blessings be upon him) response to them – teaching us that real mercy lies in perfect action: action born of trustworthiness and submission, and perfect gratitude springing from sincerity, love, and knowledge.

The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) was a mercy both during his life and after his death, as he said: “My life is good for you, and my death is good for you.” One of the most remarkable manifestations of this mercy was seen in how he (peace and blessings be upon him) endured severe trials. When his knowledge of Allah reached perfection, he recognized that the Creator is the Sovereign who rules His dominion with absolute wisdom. In complete submission, he surrendered himself, like a devoted servant to a wise and just Master. Trials and tribulations poured upon him, yet he remained unshaken, free from irritation or complaint. He never expressed – or even uttered with his tongue – “If only it had been such-and-such.” Rather, he stood before the decrees of Allah with the steadfastness of mountains.

He (peace and blessings be upon him) used to go out during every Hajj season, calling out: “Who will shelter me? Who will support me?” He left Mecca for Ta’if, where he was persecuted. With his feet bleeding, he supplicated to his Lord with awe and humility: “As long as You are not angry with me, then I am fully content with whatever befalls me.”

He was later able to return to Mecca only under the protection of a polytheist. Yet, there was neither impatience in his character, nor protest in his heart. Had it been anyone else, they might have said: “O Lord, You are the Sovereign, the Creator, and the One capable of granting victory — why have I not been helped?”

He (peace and blessings be upon him) was tested with hunger, pressing stones against his stomach to quell the pangs, yet he knew that Allah holds the treasures of the heavens and the earth. His companions were killed, his face was wounded, and he was mocked — yet he remained silent and patient.

Then, he was blessed with a son, only to have him taken away. Yet, he found comfort by seeking solace in Al-Hasan and Al-Husayn. He even foretold what would befall them! He loved Aisha deeply, and he was tested by the slander against her. He redefined the very principles of truthfulness and trustworthiness, yet they slandered him, calling him a liar and a sorcerer.

Facing the denial of his people, Noah (peace be upon him) cried out in distress, saying, “My Lord! Do not leave a single disbeliever [to dwell] on earth” (71:26). In contrast, when the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) faced the denial of his people, he lifted his hands in supplication, saying, “O Allah, guide my people, for they do not know.” Sulaiman (peace be upon him) prayed, “grant me a kingdom such as will not belong to anyone after me” (38:35), while the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) prayed, “O Allah, provide the sustenance of the family of Muhammad enough for them to suffice.”

The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) fully realized the reality of existence and the greatness of the Creator. All worldly desires and personal objections were silenced within him, and his will became wholly aligned with Allah’s Divine plan. He emerged as a devoted servant, a radiant light, and a guide for all creation. Thus, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) was a mercy to the worlds – his remembrance is a mercy for the distressed and a mercy for every servant who longs to meet Allah. As Allah the Exalted said: “Indeed, in the Messenger of Allah you have an excellent example for whoever has hope in Allah and the Last Day, and remembers Allah often” (33:21).

Allah (swt) has made the love for His Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) obligatory and made following him a condition for attaining Allah’s love. Indeed, love for the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) contains the very essence of the mercy that the servant asks from his Lord. To attain a generous share of this mercy, a person must embody the qualities that enable him/her to fulfill the condition of being with the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him), as Allah, the Exalted, says: “Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah. And those with him are firm with the disbelievers and compassionate with one another. You see them bowing and prostrating ˹in prayer˺, seeking Allah’s bounty and pleasure” (48:29).

So, whoever wishes to join the ranks of the righteous must adopt their character and be as they were: monks by night and knights by day.