The Essence of Islam – Volume I — Page 126
126. Essence of Islam-1. After this confession there remains no right which he can demand from God. That is why those who are gifted with true understanding, despite every type of endeavour, worship and almsgiving, leave themselves to the mercy of God Almighty and attach no value to their actions and make no claim that they have any right. In truth, Virtuous is only He through Whose bestowed strength a person can accomplish anything good, and He is God. No person can demand justice from God Almighty on account of his personal ability or merit. According to the Holy Qur'ān, all God's doings are as Master. As He punishes sin so He also forgives sin. He has power to do both as befits His. Malikiyyat. If He were always to punish sin there would be no escape for man, but God forgives most sins and punishes some so that a heedless person being warned should attend to Him. As is said in the Holy Qur'ān: 83 مَا أَصَابَكُمْ مِنْ مُصِيبَةٍ فَبِمَا كَسَبَتْ أَيْدِيكُمْ وَيَعْفُوا عَنْ كَثِيرٍ 3. Whatever misfortune befalls you is in consequence of that which you practise. He pardons many of your sins, and punishes some. . And in the same Surah is the verse: 84 وَهُوَ الَّذِي يَقْبَلُ التَّوْبَةَ عَنْ عِبَادِهِ وَيَعْفُوا عَنِ السّيّاتِ 4. He it is Who accepts repentance from His servants and forgives sins. . No one should be misled by the fact that the Holy Qur'ān also contains the verse: وَمَن يَعْمَلْ مِثْقَالَ ذَرَّةٍ شَرًّا يَرَةَ 5 85 83 al-Shūrā, 42:31 [Publisher] 84 al-Shūrā, 42:26 [Publisher] 85 al-Zilzal, 99:9 [Publisher]