The value of mercy as a means of overcoming anger
God’s mercy and compassion can enable us to survive tremendous ordeals
With the Name of God, All-Merciful, Most Merciful — all but one of the 114 chapters of the Koran begin with this phrase. Millions of people around the world begin their daily activities — prayers, meals, journeys and meetings — with this statement. All divine revelation to humanity throughout history is summarised in this formula. Mercy is the essential divine quality, superior even to love. We are not only made in God’s image, but in the image of the All-Merciful.
Both these names of God denoting mercy, al-Rahman and al-Rahim, are derived from the Arabic root rahm, which means “the womb”. The Divine Mercy is thus feminine, all-encompassing, nurturing and nourishing. The world is a place where the names of God, numbering 99 in the