What is the interpretation of his saying (peace and blessings be upon him): “Indeed, Allah created a hundred mercies,” and the hadith: “Indeed, Allah has a hundred mercies”?

The questioner : May Allah preserve you, O Shaykh. There is a hadith in Sahih al-Bukhari which is also reported in al-Bukhari with the wording: So it was difficult for me, O Shaykh, to understand the description of mercy as “created.”

The Shaykh : Yes, mercy is used in two senses. One is mercy as an attribute of Allah; this is not created, and no one knows its essence except Allah, and it is not limited by a number. The other is created mercy; this is known through its effects, and it can be limited in number. Among this is the saying of Allah, Blessed and Exalted is He, regarding Paradise: even though Paradise is not an attribute of Allah. The intended meaning of these hundred mercies is created mercies that Allah, Blessed and Exalted is He, bestows upon creation. So Allah, Mighty and Majestic, cast a mercy in this world by which creatures show mercy to one another, to the extent that a beast lifts its hoof from its young for fear of harming it. We have seen wonders of this, even ants: when water enters their burrow, they carry their young to a safe place. I have seen this with my own eyes. Even the predators, cats and others: if a wolf takes its young, it will not leave you alone unless it dies or you die. Who taught it this? Except the One who cast the mercy. This is the answer to what was difficult for you.

The questioner : Fine, I have one more question. I am coming from Jeddah.

The Shaykh : There is no disagreement in Jeddah, if Allah wills. We will answer you.