Ahmadiyyat or The True Islam — Page 207
207 root of hatred and enmity, and he who is your en- emy will become your fast friend. ' 112 Punishment is generally inflicted to prevent the wrong-doer from committing further wrongs. Islam says that if the principle laid down by it were followed, viz. , that the person injured should forgive the wrong-doer where there is reasonable hope that forgiveness would help to reform him, greater benefit would result from it than from the imposing of a penalty. Punishment would, at the most, avert further injury, but forgiveness is likely to convert the wrong-doer into a friend. Again, in regard to beneficence and benevolence the Holy Quran says, 'Do good to others, and let them have a share in your wealth, your knowledge and your power, etc. , for, has not God been beneficent towards you?' 113 That is to say, God Who provided you with the means and with the capacities by which you have acquired wealth, knowledge, and power; and as all mankind are sharers in the bounties of God, you should, in return for the favours granted to you, let other men share in the things with which you have been blessed. As regards murder and oppression it is stated that they lead to further disorder and oppression, and that mankind would become extinct if they were not checked. The Holy Quran says: 112 Ha M i m, 41:35. 113 Al-Qa s a s , 28:78.