The Guiding Light — Page 278
S u rah al-Baqarah, Chapter 2, Verses 285-287 278 (2) That purification in this world does not necessarily signify complete freedom from all kinds of failings and shortcomings. All that man is expected to do is sincerely to strive after good and avoid sin to the the best of his power, and the rest will be forgiven him by the Merciful God. So no Atonement is needed. The word کﺴﺐ ( kasab ) earns has been used here with regard to the doing of good deeds and اکﺴﺐ ( iktasaba ) incurs for the doing of evil deeds. They are from the same root but the latter denotes greater exertion. Thus the words hint that a man will be rewarded for good deeds even if they are done casually and without concentrated effort, while he will be punished for his evil deeds only if they are committed deliberately and with concentrated effort. In ordinary circumstances, ﻧﺴ ﻴ ﺎن ( nisy a n ) forgetfulness and ﺧﻄﺎء ( khat a ’ ) error are not punishable, for they lack intention or motive which are necessary for punishment. But here the words denote a forgetfulness and an error which might have been avoided, if due care had been exercised.