Does God's Mercy Precede His Justice?

The question of whether God's mercy precedes His justice is one of the most profound and beautiful discussions in Islamic theology, clearly emphasized in the verses of the Holy Quran and the Prophet's traditions. The clear and decisive answer from the perspective of the Quran and Sunnah is that, yes, God's mercy undoubtedly precedes and prevails over His wrath and justice. This truth forms the cornerstone of believers' hope and the central axis of humanity's relationship with its Creator. The Holy Quran introduces God with the names "Ar-Rahman" (The Most Merciful) and "Ar-Rahim" (The Especially Merciful), both derived from the root word "Rahmah" (mercy), indicating the boundless and infinite scope of divine mercy. These two blessed names are repeated at the beginning of every Surah in the Quran (except Surah At-Tawbah) and at the commencement of every significant act by Muslims, serving as a testament to the centrality of mercy in God's essence. Allah explicitly states in the Quran: "And when those who believe in Our verses come to you, say, 'Peace be upon you.' Your Lord has decreed upon Himself mercy." (Surah Al-An'am, 6:54). This verse indicates that mercy is not merely an option, but a divine commitment that Allah has made binding upon Himself. Furthermore, in Surah Al-A'raf, 7:156, He says: "...and My mercy has encompassed all things." This universality is a conclusive proof of the boundless expanse of divine mercy, which encompasses not only believers but all creation. Even those who disobey still benefit from divine blessings and sustenance, which is itself a manifestation of His vast mercy. God's mercy is manifested in various aspects of human life: in creation, in guidance, in sustenance, in granting time for repentance and return, and in the forgiveness of sins. Even the existence of pain and suffering in this world, from a divine perspective, can be a manifestation of mercy; for sometimes these hardships are for purification, warning, or spiritual growth. On the other hand, divine justice is also an integral part of God's attributes. Allah is "Al-Adl" (The Just) and does not oppress His servants: "And your Lord is not ever unjust to His servants." (Surah Fussilat, 41:46). God's justice guarantees the order of the universe, the reward for good deeds, and the punishment for sins. Without justice, the system of creation would be meaningless, and the rights of the oppressed would be violated. However, the key distinction between mercy and justice lies in the application and priority of these two attributes. A sacred Hadith (Hadith Qudsi) states: "Indeed, My mercy has overcome My wrath." This Hadith forms the core of this matter. It means that although Allah is capable of punishing and executing pure justice, in many instances, He prioritizes His mercy. This precedence of mercy is evident in cases such as: 1. Opportunity for Repentance: Allah repeatedly invites humanity to repentance and return in the Quran and promises forgiveness for major sins, even for grave sinners: "Say, 'O My servants who have transgressed against themselves [by sinning], do not despair of the mercy of Allah. Indeed, Allah forgives all sins. Indeed, it is He who is the Forgiving, the Merciful.'" (Surah Az-Zumar, 39:53). This verse clearly shows that divine mercy transcends mere justice and provides an opportunity for forgiveness for sinners. 2. Forgiveness and Overlooking: Many times, Allah overlooks the punishment for sins committed by humans and grants them an opportunity to rectify their ways. This is not to say that justice is absent, but rather that mercy prevails over justice when dealing with human errors. 3. Multiplied Rewards: While the punishment for sins is usually commensurate with the sin itself, the reward for good deeds is sometimes multiplied many times over. This also signifies divine mercy and grace, which overcome mere justice. 4. Non-Haste in Punishment: Allah does not hasten in executing His justice and always gives His servants time to correct their path. This delay itself is the greatest mercy: "And if Allah were to impose blame on the people for what they earned, He would not leave upon the [surface of the] earth any creature; but He defers them for a specified term." (Surah Fatir, 35:45). 5. Trials and Tribulations: Even calamities and trials can be manifestations of mercy. They guide humanity towards God, purify sins, and lead to spiritual growth. Ultimately, it must be said that divine justice is in line with His mercy. God's justice is not about oppression or revenge, but about putting everything in its proper place and establishing order and balance. This order and balance itself create a foundation for the manifestation of mercy and human well-being. In reality, divine mercy is like a boundless ocean in which divine justice flows. Without mercy, justice would be dry and lifeless; and without justice, mercy would lose its true meaning and lead to disorder. Thus, it can be said that divine mercy and justice complement each other, but divine mercy always has a more pervasive and dominant aspect, keeping the path of return and hope open for everyone. This teaching is the heart of Islam, which gives hope to humanity and calls it towards goodness and returning to God, with the assurance that God is always ready to forgive and be merciful. This belief plays a fundamental role in shaping the individual and collective behavior of Muslims, encouraging them to be kind, forgiving, and fair in their interactions, knowing that their God is more merciful than any other.