His Eminence Prof. Ahmad Al-Tayyeb, Al-Azhar Grand Imam, explained that the Qur’anic verse “Allah is Kind to His servants” means that believers as well as non-believers enjoy His kindness. That is why we find the word “servants” not “believers” in the verse. Therefore, disbelievers, sinners, and daring disobedient people enjoy such kindness exactly as the believers do. His Eminence asserted that Allah’s Kindness is all-inclusive; hence, there is no excuse for a person to deny His Godhood.

 

 

During the 8th episode of his TV program Imam Al-Tayyeb Talk, the Grand Imam said that Almighty Allah described the non-believer as “wrongdoer” because disbelief is the gravest form of injustice. It involves denying the Greatest Being its Most Deserved Right. The disbeliever denies and wrongs the One who provides for him, shows him kindness, cares for him, facilitates matters for him, and grants him intellect. However, despite his wrongdoing and disbelief, he is still encompassed by the grace of Allah Almighty, just like the believer. 

 

 

Regarding the inclusiveness of Allah's grace towards all other beings, it is evident in His kindness extending to all of Allah's creations, including animals, plants, and inanimate objects. Allah shows kindness to everything that moves or exists on the face of the earth, including its birth, sustenance, pursuit of livelihood, etc., because if left to its own devices, it would not be able to accomplish these things. His Eminence drew our attention to the fact that Allah's kindness also extends to mountains, seas, oceans, and other inanimate objects. However, Allah's kindness towards them is not for their own sake, but rather a kindness for the benefit of humanity. Allah has made the rivers available for man to drink water, and the mountains for him to enjoy the treasures and minerals within their depths, and so on.

 

 

In response to the question “Do mountains glorify Allah?” His Eminence affirmed that mountains glorify Allah according to the Quranic text: “There is not a single thing that does not glorify His praises” (17:44), and “Whatever is in the heavens and whatever is on the earth glorifies Allah” (62:1). However, we do not know how they glorify Him, for only Allah knows the manner of this glorification. The Grand Imam emphasized that sustenance is for everyone, believer and non-believer, in accordance with the saying of the Most High: “If Allah were to punish people immediately for their wrongdoing, He would not have left a single living being on earth” (Qur’an, 16:61). This is an extension of Divine Gracefulness towards believers and non-believers alike, and even towards animals and inanimate objects. These objects know the Lord and glorify Him. Whoever denies this fact will be denying the Quran.

 

Regarding Allah's kindness towards our fellow people in Gaza and their suffering from hunger and genocide, the Grand Imam indicated that what happens there is also encompassed by Allah’s kindness since the Palestinian cause has been revived. He emphasized that the life of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) and his venerable companions was full of struggle and challenges. Nevertheless, within 80 years only, his religion led humanity and taught it justice, mercy, and uprightness in creed, morals, manners, and every other aspect. What is happening aligns with “the promise of Allah, and Allah never fails in His promise.” The Grand Imam said everything has a price to be paid and we have a lesson in the story of Lady Zainab, who said when her brother Imam Hussein was killed: “O Allah, accept from us this meager sacrifice.” How could the murder of the Prophet’s grandson be meager? Perhaps it is small when compared to the Divine Gracefulness that will be manifested in the near future.

 

At the end of the episode, the Grand Imam explained that the believer’s benefit from Allah’s name Al-Latif is that they should train themselves to acquire such attributes within their limited human scope. A believer should try to be kind to other humans and act according to the Prophet’s saying, “Your smiling to your brother is charity” and “A good word is charity.” This means one should refrain from harming others too. Yet, this way of conduct can be learned through training. The blessed month of Ramadan is a good opportunity for such training. As a result, one will be autonomously graceful and kind.