Principle of Mercy in Ruling from the Viewpoint of the Quran

Any theory about sovereignty is based on rules and principles which determine the foundations of that theory in different areas. Amongst them, the theory of Islam about sovereignty is based on revealed foundations which can be derived from the Book, Sunnah, and the reason. One of the most important basics of Islamic view on sovereignty is the principle of mercy which has been less considered as a principle and rule and its social aspects as well as its effects on political jurisprudence and public law has been rarely considered. Explaining the contents of the principle of mercy and its arguments, the present article tries to use the Holy Quran to discuss the central position of this principle on the interaction between God and His creatures and to draws out the necessity of observing the principle by the Muslim rulers in different areas of legislation, administration, and judgment. Next, referring to the principle which is running inside the different layers of religious government and even the relationship of the different classes of people with each other, it reviews its jurisprudential and legal effects.