The Holy War — Page 154
154 30 May 1893 Question by Deputy Abdullah Atham My first question is on Mercy without Recompense, which means that mercy is shown without any regard to the demands of justice. In this regard, the first question is whether the attributes of justice and truth can be freely manifested; that is to say, this restriction no longer applies to them that they not be manifested, like if justice was done or not; truth prevailed or not. The objection in this, if it were so, is, who then would be the guardian of God’s Holiness? And are mercy and goodness bound to be manifested? And the objection in this is that if they are so required to be manifested then will this not be by way of a loan advanced that must be repaid? My second question is that so long as whatever of sin remains, then in what way can the sinner attain salvation? Now, there are three means of salvation mentioned in the Holy Quran. Firstly, that if you save yourself from the major sins, then the minor sins will be forgiven out of mercy. Secondly, if the weight of the bad deeds will not be greater than that of the good deeds, then you will be eligible for mercy. Thirdly, that justice, in comparison to mercy, becomes relieved from its duty; in other words, mercy prevails over justice. In the first two instances, the principle that has been laid down is that partial payment suffices for the whole, while in the third, the principle that has been shown is that the manifestation of justice is not essential but that mercy must perforce come into play. In