Ahmadiyyat or The True Islam — Page 215
215 washed away, man would plunge into despair and would make no effort to regain his original purity. Hence, in order that moral improvement should become possible religion must provide means for effacing the stains of acquired sin. Islam claims to have made provi- sion for this by opening to erring men the door of true repentance, which has been closed by all other religions. Islam rescues man from despair and tells him that he can, in spite of errors and mistakes, attain to that purity of mind and conduct which is the highest goal of man. It thus encourages him to make constant efforts towards virtue and purity, and enables him ultimately to arrive at his goal. Some people imagine that the doctrine of repen- tance encourages indulgence in vice, as a man can go on committing sins in the belief that he can at any time repent and thus escape the consequences of his evil actions. No sensible person, however, would entertain such an idea, for how could he be certain that he would be afforded the opportunity to repent? Besides, the objection is due to lack of appreciation of the true nature of repentance. Repentance is not so easy as these people imagine. It is not open to a man to repent at any time at his own will and pleasure. Repentance is a spiritual revolution which changes a man’s entire moral and spiritual being. It means true and abiding remorse for past sins and errors, and a firm resolve to make one’s peace with God and to reform one’s course of conduct. This condition cannot be brought about at will. It is the outcome of continued effort and contemplation. In very rare cases it may be the result of a sudden emotional