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We should all ask ourselves this question: have I been attracting people to God's religion by highlighting His mercy, or pushing them away from it by misrepresenting His judgment? Think guidance. Think understanding. Think development. Think of Islam as a mission for all..
Many people who commit sins would be more than ready to repent if we helped open doors for them and show them they are welcomed in the Islamic community. It is not our place to reject someone who says they have repented. This is forbidden in Islam. That is God's decision.
Our job is to command good and inhibit evil to the best of our abilities and in compliance with the rules and ethics of doing so. It is not to make others despair and forget God's mercy. While Islam aims for a virtuous society, this is impossible if people do not understand God.
And part of understanding God is being acquainted with His attributes, one of which being that He is Merciful; and that His mercy encompasses all things, as in the beginning of the famous Du'ā Kumayl. Why would the supplication begin with these words and with this concept?
There are a number of responses, but in this case, it can be said that the point is to display the absolution of God's mercy before further requests for divine forgiveness are made throughout the supplication. God says He will forgive if one repents. Let us not speak over Him.
