The Quality Of Mercy

Mercy is a quality that every one needs, from the king to the laymen.Without it the world would be a sinister place.In the Oxford Dictionary it is defined as " 1) compassion or forgiveness shown towards an enemy or offender in one’s power. 2) something to be grateful for."It is an attribute of God himself. In the Islamic tradition God, gives himself the name Most Merciful (Al Rahman ). Muslims often start any task with the Arabic saying Bismillah. Bismillah is a beautifully poetic expression which offers both insight and inspiration. Every chapter of the Holy Quran starts with this expression. So what does Bismillah mean? . The common translation is "In the Name of God, the Merciful and Beneficent". It reminds Muslims that you need the help of God and that he is Merciful.We live in a world that is ever changing at a dynamic rate, it is getting more violent and less tolerant as time goes by. Therefore, the need for Mercy is more important then ever before.Where has all the mercy gone? I remember a time when people use to help each other and thus were being merciful.People only a couple of years ago use to smile and say "Good morning " as they went past. Have we lost mercy in our complicated world?

In order to remind us what mercy is, I think we should read the following and deeply think.

"The quality of mercy is not strain'd, It droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven Upon the place beneath; it is twice bless'd; It blesseth him that gives and him that takes: 'Tis mightiest in the mightiest; it becomes The throned monarch better than his crown ... It is an attribute to God himself; And earthly power doth then show likest god's When mercy seasons justice... consider this, That in the course of justice none of us Should see salvation: we do pray for mercy, And that same prayer doth teach us all to render The deeds of mercy. "- (William Shakespeare)