Dear Mom & Dad,

In Surah al-Raḥmān, Allah refers to himself as the One who is defined by complete and universal rahmah. In Surah al-Raḥīm, Allah refers to himself as the One who continuously shows much rahmah. The word rahmah is defined as mercy in many different Quranic translations. In modern English, we define mercy as the forgiveness shown toward someone whom it is within one's power to punish or harm. However, the word rahmah used in the Quran is seen differently. Abu Huraira reported Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) as saying: "There are one hundred (parts of) mercy for Allah and He has sent down out of these one part of mercy upon the jinn and human beings and the insects and it is because of this (one part) that they love one another, show kindness to one another and even the beast treats its young one with affection.” It’s from this that one can deduct that the connotation of the word resembles love or compassion. Let’s take a different perspective of what mercy is, in terms of emotion.

If I asked, who provides the most love, care, and support? Majority of people would respond by saying their mother, and I agree with that decision completely.

During my sophomore year, I completely ruptured my ACL and tore both my menisci in my left knee. After that point, it was rough for me as I struggled to go up and down staircases, walk to school, and even sit during classes. Doctors and surgeons told me that my chances of returning to sports or any form of physical activity would be slim. I was immediately recommended to an orthopedic surgeon to perform a reconstruction on my left knee, and I was instructed to perform three months of intense physical therapy to prepare for the surgery. Training my left knee without its main stabilizer was so difficult- so difficult that I didn’t even want to have the surgery.

My parents not agreeing to the therapy and surgery would lead to further problems down the road, so they began to do different things to assist me. They would help me perform exercises at home, stretch my knee, take me jogging, and even help me the down the staircases. After the surgery was completed, I was stuck in the same situation all over again. I couldn’t eat, sleep, walk, or even get up by myself; yet, my parents were there to help me during my nine-month recovery. My mom would be up for long hours while I was asleep to make sure my leg wasn’t being strained or bent. My dad would wake me up at 5 A.M. daily to teach me how to walk again by putting my arms over his shoulders and taking it step by step. I learned a lot about my parents during this time since my dad would share stories of his childhood with me. My parents gave me the confidence to tolerate the long and tedious road ahead of me, and within a week after the surgery I took my first steps without any support.

If there is anything that I’ve learned from my injury, it’s that parents are the best form of heroes. It’s because heroes always shows mercy to others no matter what the cost is. Heroes are ready to help anyone whether it’s to save someone from a falling building or defeating villains and protecting the peace in a city. However, my parents, my heroes, helped me be strong, smart, and more careful in the face of adversity. It’s because of my parents I’m able to walk on my own two feet and it’s because of my parents mercy I am who I am today.

Imam as-Sadiq (PBUH) relates that once a person approached the Noble Prophet (PBUH) and asked: “O’ Prophet of Allah! Towards whom should I exhibit goodness and kindness?” The Noble Prophet replied: “Towards your mother.” The man then asked: “And after that towards whom?” The Noble Prophet again said: “Your Mother.” He asked again: “And then?” Once again, he replied: “Your mother.” For the fourth time the man asked: “And then?” This time he said: “Your father.”

We’re all busy people, but it’s important to express rahmah to everyone. Students have test, projects, quizzes, and assignments and they forget how to be merciful. It’s critical to be mindful that being merciful is the ability to show kindness and love to all the people around you. One way to start, is to begin showing mercy to your family. Ask your parents how they are doing once in a while, ask them if there is anything you can do to help them, and tell them you love them. Build upon that compassion and spread it to everyone that you meet. Regardless of creed, class, color, or race, summoning mercy and expressing it, is something everyone should strive for.