Understanding Allah's mercy

If it’s not because of this single beautiful verse from Quran, we would think that this world is way too cruel and unfair.

“Is it they who would portion out the Mercy of your Lord? It is We Who portion out between them their livelihood in this world, and We raised some of them above others in ranks, so that some may employ others in their work. But the Mercy (Paradise) of your Lord (O Muhammad صلى الله عليه و سلم) is better than the (wealth of this world) which they amass.” [Az-Zukhruf : 32]

Having a chance to live in Egypt brought me to a sight I’ve never thought of regarding the meaning of this verse.

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Fresh morning breeze stirred through my hair as I sat in the red bus, 926, from my place to Abbasiyya. Almost daily routine now, the bus will pass through several stations before it reaches Abbasiyya, where I would stop and take a microbus to Darrasa, where my university is.

As the bus stopped in front of the junction of Awwal Sabi’, a man with crippled foot found his way up.
I would guess that this man may be a war veteran surviving life asking for money from people. Somehow it’s common to see that in Egypt. Normally they would just sit at any corner, make a cup of shai, and wait for people to throw one or half pound, while smoking cigarettes.

I was wrong about this man.

He didn’t ask any money.

He went to each passengers and give them a small card of daily prayers and dhikr, if they want to buy it. He walked to and fro inside the bus, passing the cards and recollecting it back from those not interested to buy.

The bus stopped again, and this man struggled his way again down the bus stairs, and waited for another bus to come, to continue his job.

I stared at this man as the bus moves on, knowing that this man do the same thing every day to buy breads for him, and maybe his family. And I know, despite the obstacles he met, he could still smiles at you and replies your salaam with a content heart.

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I don’t know why exactly but in Egypt you could find so many people suffering from rickets (or maybe osteomalacia, I’m not so sure). You know, it’s when your bones are somehow twisted and deformed. Normally, you can see it happening on legs. People suffering from this problem will have troubles to walk and run.

I blame the Egyptian Health Ministry under Mubarak’s regime for this widespread problem.

Anyway, the thing is, adults having this problem will also end up with another problem; they’re not fit for any professional jobs. A teacher maybe, and that’s the best they may try.

Walking all the way from Rab’ah to An-Nasr street early in the morning, I observed what’s happening around me. At this time most people are getting ready to work, rushing for the bus and microbus to their workplaces.

As I reached the end of Tayran street, where the area was a bit packed with people waiting for microbus, I saw a short man with twisted legs wandering the street. Each step was a struggle for him, and no one cared to pay attention to this short man. I wonder what is he doing at this kind of place.

I saw him holding packets of face tissues in both of his hands. He would wave to people occasionally, asking them if they need tissues. He is selling tissues.

One pound or maybe a half pound per packet wouldn’t give this man so much profit. With his disability to move too far, I doubt that he could even make 20 pound a day. Just good enough to buy foods for some four or five children waiting at home in the end of day.

Yet this man still asked people with sweet smile in his face, and talked to his friends as lively and humorous as Egyptians normally are.

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Stories of struggles of people always make me think deep.

And Allah's words in surah Az-Zukhruf came to my attention, unwinding my puzzles. His mercy is so vast and wide one couldn't afford to understand it entirely. And this preserved mysteries of His mercy is what make us feel so small and weak in front of Him, and grateful that at least, we have His mercy just to breath and live on this earth.

Alhamdulillah. Surely Egypt is 'the land that teaches'.
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Readers, if you happened to have any stories related, why don't you share it here and give us your thoughts on it. I'd love to hear them all.