You mentioned that when the punishment comes, wisdom takes the place of mercy. Is it permissible to say that wisdom in that moment takes the place of mercy?

The questioner : In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
He says: May Allah guide you, O Shaykh, you mentioned that when the punishment comes, wisdom takes the place of mercy. The question is: Is it permissible to say that wisdom in that moment takes the place of mercy?

The Shaykh : Yes, we say that, because the punishment of the disbelievers is not mercy in reality for the one being punished, because it has ended; he cannot be called back to repentance; he has died. But in reality, it is mercy for the believers, because when a believer sees his enemy being punished by Allah, he is certainly glad and delighted by it. For this reason, Allah the Exalted said to His Prophet: What is it? . So Allah, Mighty and Majestic, made it clear that the believers’ enemies do not wait for them except for one of two good outcomes: either victory or martyrdom. Either victory and triumph over the enemy, or martyrdom, and both are good. As for us, we do not wait for the disbelievers except for one of two things: that Allah strikes them with punishment from Himself or through our hands. But when will this happen? When we do what is obligatory for us regarding Allah. Then He will strike them with punishment from Himself or through our hands. But if the matter is the opposite, may Allah spare us, and we neglect what is obligatory upon us, then the matter may be the opposite. Yes.