Explanation of the author's statement: "And He was Merciful to the believers"
Machine translationRead the Arabic original
The Shaykh : He said: [Al-Ahzab 33:43].
"And to the believers" is connected to "Merciful." Placing the object before the verb indicates restriction, meaning He is Merciful to the believers and no one else. But how do we reconcile this verse with the one before it? [Ghafir 40:7] Here he says, "How do we reconcile them, O 'Abd Allah?" No, 'Abd Allah, because it appears he is wandering off... and what is it, no craft, no iron, come on you... Allah, no, it is not this verse, you are confused, no, it is not correct at all, yes, forgive me, may Allah reward you with good, yes.
The student: ... .
The Shaykh : That is, we say that the mercy mentioned here is different from the mercy mentioned there. This is a specific mercy connected to the mercy of the Hereafter, which the disbelievers do not attain. This is how we reconcile the two. Otherwise, everyone is a recipient of mercy, but there is a difference between specific mercy and general mercy. Good.
And ever is He, to the believers, Merciful.
وَكَانَ بِالْمُؤْمِنِينَ رَحِيماًHe was with the believers
كان بِالْمُؤْمِنِينَOur Lord, You have encompassed all things in mercy and knowledge
رَبَّنَا وَسِعْتَ كُلَّ شَيْءٍ رَحْمَةً وَعِلْماًAnd He was with the believers
وكان بِالْمُؤْمِنِينَThe student: ... .
The Shaykh : That is, we say that the mercy mentioned here is different from the mercy mentioned there. This is a specific mercy connected to the mercy of the Hereafter, which the disbelievers do not attain. This is how we reconcile the two. Otherwise, everyone is a recipient of mercy, but there is a difference between specific mercy and general mercy. Good.