Title: Why does God's Mercy Overpower His Wrath? Question: If Allah is qualitatively and quantitatively infinite in all of his attributes then why is his Mercy overpowering His Wrath? May Peace be with you. Aziz Koksal Austria Answer: According to the Islamic introduction of God, God is completely clear of all shortcomings, imperfections and faults. Mercy and grace are permanent attributes of God, while being wrathful is not. This implies that God is Merciful of His own accord, whether His subjects deserve His mercy or not. This, however, is not the case with God's wrath. God's wrath is the fate only of those, who, because of their own deeds and behavior, have closed all doors of God's mercy and forgiveness upon themselves. Thus, contrary to mercy, wrathfulness is God's response to man's misbehavior and arrogance, rather than His permanent and inseparable attribute. This is precisely what is meant by the point that 'God's Mercy overpowers His wrath'. The point that God's mercy overpowers His wrath is an everyday experience for fallible humans like our selves. We know, through our personal experiences, that hardly a day dawned on us in which we had not committed mistakes and - intentionally or unintentionally - done something contrary to our knowledge of God's commandments. Yet, God did not punish us and subject us to His wrath immediately after we committed a mistake, but mercifully allowed us respite and gave us innumerable chances to seek His forgiveness and express repentance for our misdeeds. Indicative of God's abounding mercy, He continues to grant man respite from His 'wrath' and punishment till the time that man renders himself completely undeserving of His mercy. Thus, the Qur'an says: The Lord said: 'My punishment afflicts whom I decide [according to My knowledge and justice], but My mercy encompasses all things. ( Al-Aa`raaf 7: 56) I hope this helps. Regards, Moiz Amjad August 3, 2002