The Essence of Islam – Volume III — Page 21
Natural, Moral and Spiritual States of Man 21 makers and wrongdoers should never be punished. What it teaches is that one must consider whether the occasion demands forgiveness or punishment and to adopt the course which would be in the best interest of both the offender and the community at large. At times, an offender might repent if he is forgiven, but at times he may become even more daring. Therefore, God Almighty says:. Do not cultivate the habit of forgiving blindly; consider carefully wherein lies the real good-in forgiveness or in punishment and do what is appropriate considering the time and the circumstances. . A study of the human race reveals that some people are by nature highly vindictive: they preserve in their minds all the wrongs done to their fathers, and there are others who carry forbearance and forgiveness even to the extent of shamelessness and are guilty of condoning and forgiving such shameless acts as are contrary to self-respect, honour, dignity and chastity, and tarnish the image of good morals. As a result, the entire society is outraged. . That is why the Holy Qur'ān has enjoined the condition of proper time and occasion for the exercise of every moral quality and does not approve of such moral quality as is not in keeping with the prerequisites of the occasion. . . . . We have repeatedly stressed that the difference between a moral quality and natural state is that a moral quality is always in keeping with the requirements of the place and time and a natural state finds expression regardless of such conditions. [Islāmi Uşūl ki Philosophy, Rūḥānī Khazā'in, vol. 10, pp. 340-352]. All scholars are agreed that the highest moral station is not merely dependent on exercising forgiveness and for-