The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "When Allah created the Creation, He wrote in His Book--and He wrote (that) about Himself, and it is placed with Him on the Throne--'Verily My Mercy overcomes My Anger.'"
Hadith Text
The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "When Allah created the Creation, He wrote in His Book--and He wrote (that) about Himself, and it is placed with Him on the Throne--'Verily My Mercy overcomes My Anger.'"
Reference: Sahih al-Bukhari 7404
Commentary on Divine Mercy
This noble hadith from Sahih al-Bukhari's Book of Oneness, Uniqueness of Allah (Tawheed) reveals a fundamental aspect of Allah's divine nature. The writing occurred before creation, demonstrating Allah's eternal knowledge and preordained decree. The placement near the Throne signifies its supreme importance in divine governance.
Allah's self-description emphasizes that His Mercy encompasses all things, prevailing over His Wrath. This does not imply weakness but reflects His perfect attribute of Rahmaniyyah (universal mercy) and Rahimiyyah (specific mercy for believers). Scholars explain that while Allah's Anger is real and justified against disobedience, His Mercy is more comprehensive and ultimately triumphant.
Scholarly Insights
Ibn Hajar al-Asqalani comments that this hadith comforts believers, assuring them that Allah's mercy is the dominant characteristic in His dealings with creation. The "Book" refers to al-Lawh al-Mahfuz (the Preserved Tablet) where all decrees are recorded.
Al-Qurtubi notes that this declaration was made when creation was most vulnerable, demonstrating Allah's compassion from the very beginning. The precedence of mercy over anger encourages hope and discourages despair in divine forgiveness, while not negating the reality of punishment for those who persistently reject truth.
Practical Implications
This teaching inspires believers to embody mercy in their dealings, reflecting divine attributes in human conduct. It calls Muslims to balance fear of Allah's punishment with hope in His mercy, avoiding both despair and excessive presumption.
The hadith serves as a foundation for understanding Allah's names al-Rahman and al-Rahim, and encourages constant supplication for divine mercy while reminding us that Allah's justice remains integral to His perfection.