a quest for Allahs mercy

Assalaamu alaikum ya muslimeen.

Greetings and good day to all.

I have heard the following terribly inspiring story of the mercy of Allah, and repentance, in an Arabic lecture. This lecture was directed to a group of worshippers gathered together for the Friday congregational prayer, and therefore part of the sermon delivered. The point made in this sermon was stressing for the people (i.e. muslims) to return to Allah in repentance, seeking Him in His everlasting mercy alone, without intercessors or mediators, in other words in total and complete tawheed which is typical and common-place and a requirement of Islam. The stress of the sermon was pointing out that the problems prevalent among the muslims today are most likely a result of Allah's anger at us muslims who have the guidance and direction, yet are oblivient and ignorant and arrogant of following that guidance.

As is typical of so much of Islamic studies, the Quran and the Hadith, this is a parable of example for us to take heed from, in the hopes that we may all learn an important lesson not only from the religious standpoint, but from historical as well. As the old saying goes: 'learn history, and learn from it, or it will repeat on you'.

Please do read on the following khutbah and revelation of the story of bani Israel. Keep in mind that Moses (Mosa) was called 'kalim Allah', meaning 'he who Allah spoke to'...indicating that indeed Allah spoke directly to Moses without any sort of an in-between messenger.

Lulua.

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The Quest For Allah's Mercy

Prepared by Muhammad Alshareef

It was narrated that in the days that Musa - alayhis salam - wandered with Bani Israaeel in the desert a grizzly drought befell them. Together, they all raised their hands towards the heavens praying for the blessed rain. Then, to the astonishment of Musa - alayhis salam - and all those watching, the few clouds that scattered the sky vanished, the heat scorched down, and the drought intensified.

It was revealed to Musa that there was a sinner amongst Bani Israaeel that had disobeyed Allah for more than 40 years of his life. “Let him separate himself from the congregation,” Allah told Musa. “Only then shall I shower you all with rain.”

Musa - alayhis salam - called out to the throngs of humanity, “There is a person amongst us who has disobeyed Allah for 40 years. Let him separate himself from the congregation and only then shall we be rescued from the drought.” That man, waited, looking left and right, hoping that someone else would step forward…but no one did. Sweat poured from his brow and he knew he was the one.

If he stayed amongst the congregation all would die of thirst; yet, if he stepped forward he would be humiliated for all eternity.

He raised his hands with sincerity he had never known before, with humility he had never tasted, tears poured on both cheeks, “O Allah, have mercy on me! O Allah, hide my sins! O Allah, forgive me!”

As Musa - alayhis salam - and Bani Israaeel awaited for the sinner to step forward, the clouds hugged the sky and the rain poured. Musa - alayhis salam - asked Allah ta'aala, “O Allah, you blessed us with rain even though that sinner did not come forward.” And Allah ta'aala replied, “O Musa, it is for the repentance of that very person that I blessed all of Bani Israaeel with water.”

Musa, wanting to know who was this blessed man, asked, “Show him to me O Allah!” Allah ta'aala replied, “O Musa, I hid his sins for 40 years. Do you think that after his repentance I shall expose him?”