Among those signs is that Allah sent the messengers to mankind as bearers of glad tidings and as warners, so that people would have no excuse after the messengers had come.

The author has likewise cited the reports affirming that Allah’s mercy precedes His wrath. For that reason He offers sinners the chance to seek forgiveness from their Lord so that He may pardon them; had He willed, He could have destroyed them and never encouraged them to repent. Allah the Exalted says: “If Allah were to take people to task for what they have earned, He would not leave on the face of the earth a single living creature; yet He defers them to an appointed term” (Fāṭir 35:45). In the hadith recorded by Muslim the Prophet said, “If you did not sin, Allah would remove you and bring a people who do sin; they would then seek Allah’s forgiveness, and He would forgive them.”

This hadith invites anyone who has sinned to seek Allah’s pardon, for when a person asks Allah sincerely and with a heart full of certainty, Allah will forgive him. He says: “Say, ‘My servants who have transgressed against their own souls, do not despair of the mercy of Allah. Indeed, Allah forgives all sins; He is the All-Forgiving, the Most Merciful’” (az-Zumar 39:53).

Another lesson is that when the Prophet—may blessings and peace be upon him—recited Abraham’s words about the idols, “My Lord, they have indeed led many people astray; so whoever follows me is truly of me, and whoever disobeys me—surely You are Most Forgiving, Most Merciful” (Ibrāhīm 14:36), together with Jesus’ words, “If You punish them, they are Your servants; but if You forgive them, indeed You—only You—are the Almighty, the All-Wise” (al-Māʾidah 5:118), he raised his hands, wept, and said, “O Lord, my community, my community!” Allah said to Gabriel, “Go to Muhammad and tell him: We shall please you concerning your community and shall never distress you.”

Allah did indeed please him regarding his community by decreeing that this ummah will receive its reward