Sheharyar Bajwa, Student, Jamia Ahmadiyya UK
Allah reminds us of His fadhl – often translated as “grace”, “favour” and “bounty” – over 84 times in the Holy Quran, instructing believers to seek it.
For example, Allah says:
وَلَا تَتَمَنَّوۡا مَا فَضَّلَ اللّٰہُ بِہٖ بَعۡضَکُمۡ عَلٰی بَعۡضٍ ؕ لِلرِّجَالِ نَصِیۡبٌ مِّمَّا اکۡتَسَبُوۡا ؕ وَلِلنِّسَآءِ نَصِیۡبٌ مِّمَّا اکۡتَسَبۡنَ ؕ وَسۡئَلُوا اللّٰہَ مِنۡ فَضۡلِہٖ ؕ اِنَّ اللّٰہَ کَانَ بِکُلِّ شَیۡءٍ عَلِیۡمًا
“And covet not that whereby Allah has made some of you excel others. Men shall have a share of that which they have earned, and women a share of that which they have earned. And ask Allah of His bounty. Surely, Allah has perfect knowledge of all things.” (Surah an-Nisa, Ch.4: V.33)
In Surah al-Jumuah, Allah says:
وَابۡتَغُوۡا مِنۡ فَضۡلِ اللّٰہِ
“[…] and seek of Allah’s grace […]” (Surah al-Jumuah, Ch.62: V.11)
At another place, Allah says:
لَیۡسَ عَلَیۡکُمۡ جُنَاحٌ اَنۡ تَبۡتَغُوۡا فَضۡلًا مِّنۡ رَّبِّکُمۡ
“It is no sin for you that you seek the bounty of your Lord. […]” (Surah al-Baqarah, Ch.2: V.199)
Therefore, as believers, we should be mindful of and constantly pray for Allah’s fadhl (grace and bounty).
Why is it essential to attain Allah’s grace?
Divine grace (fadhl) plays an essential role in attaining paradise. Without Allah’s grace, it is impossible to achieve salvation.
We commit sins and make mistakes daily, whether knowingly or unknowingly; by the measure of deeds alone, we fall short of the requirements needed to enter paradise. It is Allah’s grace that overlooks these shortcomings and grants salvation.
To explain this concept, Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra gives the example of “an employer who contracts a laborer on a fixed wage.” It is up to the worker how diligent or lax he is, but “no matter how hard his exertions, he would not have the right to ask for a greater wage.” That being the case, if the employer were to reward the worker’s efforts through a bonus, such a reward would “emanate from the grace and mercy of the employer.” It would not be a direct result of the worker’s actions, nor would the employer be compelled to grant it. (The Truth About Salvation, 2019, pp. 8-9)
This analogy shows that while our actions have value, salvation itself is a gift of Divine grace and ultimately comes from Allah’s mercy.
How to attain Allah’s grace: Drawing light
فَاَمَّا الَّذِیۡنَ اٰمَنُوۡا بِاللّٰہِ وَاعۡتَصَمُوۡا بِہٖ فَسَیُدۡخِلُہُمۡ فِیۡ رَحۡمَۃٍ مِّنۡہُ وَفَضۡلٍ وَّیَہۡدِیۡہِمۡ اِلَیۡہِ صِرَاطًا مُّسۡتَقِیۡمًا
“So, as for those who believe in Allah and hold fast to Him, He will surely admit them to His mercy and grace and will guide them on a straight path leading to Himself.” (Surah an-Nisa, Ch.4: V.176)
While commenting on the above Quranic verse, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Ira beautifully explains the Islamic concept of fadhl in relation to one’s level of faith and their salvation.
“The relationship between salvation, grace, and faith may be illustrated in this way: Imagine a person with sound eyes sitting inside a completely sealed room into which no light can enter. He longs to behold a dearly beloved friend who is also present in that abode. It is obvious that without light he cannot see his friend’s face, nor can his heart and soul find comfort in that sight until the light reaches him.
“There are many ways for light to enter: he might open a skylight or use a lamp. Unless there is something that draws or receives the light, the light cannot aid him in beholding his friend – even though light is, in reality, the very instrument of sight. But once he opens a skylight or lights a lamp, then through that illumination he may behold his friend and find peace in that sight.
“In this example, the vision and the peace gained from that sight is salvation; the light is the grace and mercy of the Lord; and faith is like the skylight or the lamp that draws in the light of grace. And the Holy Quran also attests that faith attracts Allah’s grace [fadhl]:
اللَّهُ وَلِيُّ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا يُخْرِجُهُم مِّنَ الظُّلُمَاتِ إِلَى النُّورِ
[“Allah is the friend of those who believe: He brings them out of every [kind of] darkness into light.” (Surah al-Baqarah, Ch.2: V.258)]
“So, in whatever measure a person’s faith increases, in that very measure he draws Divine grace (fadhl) towards himself. And he obtains fadhl in the same way that the more a skylight or opening is widened, the more light will reach inside.” (Haqaiq-ul-Furqan, Vol. 3, online edition, p. 564)
In this explanation, Huzoorra presents the concept of fadhl (Allah’s grace) in a simple and logical manner:
- The light represents the grace and mercy of Allah that we strive to attain.
- Our faith (iman) is like the skylight or lamp through which this light enters and draws in God’s grace – the greater the opening for light (or the greater our level of faith), the more light (God’s grace, fadhl) is drawn.
Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Ira then raises a question that could arise:
“Now if someone asks: when salvation comes from fadhl, then what is the need for deeds? What will deeds accomplish? Should a person become lazy and neglect good actions?” (Ibid.)
Huzoorra responds:
“The answer is that the questioner has not understood the connection between faith and deeds – because good deeds are necessary and required alongside true faith. And true faith produces good actions. […] A good seed naturally bears a good fruit. […]
“Is there any doubt that a tree is recognised by its fruits? It is perfectly clear true faith is the result of good and righteous deeds; and disbelief is the cause of various kinds of immorality, making a person commit sins. […] (Haqaiq-ul-Furqan, Vol. 3, online edition, pp. 564-565)
As Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Ira explains above, genuine faith naturally produces righteous actions, just as a good seed yields good fruit and a tree is known by its fruits. True faith leads to good works, while faithlessness or ingratitude gives rise to immoral behaviour and sin.
Not losing hope
Having understood the relationship between faith, grace, and salvation, one might still wonder: what hope remains for those who feel distant from God’s grace?
Allah’s grace is all-encompassing, and it holds authority over everything. Irrespective of our past, there is always hope of entering paradise under the umbrella of Allah’s compassion, mercy and grace.
The Promised Messiahas states:
“The gates of the grace and benevolence of God Almighty are never closed. If a person turns to Him with a true heart and in sincerity, then He is Forgiving and Merciful and accepts repentance. It is great impertinence and disrespect to speculate how many sinners will God Almighty forgive. The treasures of His mercy are unlimited. He lacks nothing and His doors are not shut upon. All those who arrive before God shall attain high ranks. This is a sure promise. The one who despairs of God Almighty, and his last moment arrives in a state of heedlessness, is most unfortunate and ill-fated because at that time the door is closed.” (Essence of Islam [2004], Vol. 2, p. 246)
