The Holy War — Page 172
172 still have to see the Book of which religion has set forth the punish- ments, or the means of forgiveness, in the most suitable, best, and just manner. But to see this characteristic one must keep the aspect of mercy very much in mind because as we have just proven, mercy is the real, universal, and foremost attribute. Therefore, the religion whose manner of punishment and prescribed way of forgiveness is closest to mercy, that religion will be deemed the best and most suit- able because in the principles and rules of punishment, to exercise harshness beyond all limits and to place such severe restrictions as are themselves against mercy, is very far from the holy attributes of God Almighty. Now, the just people can see which path the Holy Quran has presented for forgiveness and which path the Gospels have pre- sented to attain forgiveness. Therefore, let it be clear that the teachings which the Holy Quran prescribes for someone to attain forgiveness contain no misplaced severity and employ no principle that would lead to cruelty. It states the following pure and natural guidance, that whoever becomes guilty of some crime by breaching the Divine Law, then he has open to him the path of sincerely repenting by believing in the rectitude and truthful- ness of these laws, and starting afresh following these rules with zeal and passion, so much so that he would not be afraid of even laying down his life in this path. And yes, it is also written that intercessorship is bene- ficial for the offenders, but with the permission of God Almighty. And good deeds also are a means of warding off sins, and increase of faith, and love and strong emotional attachment [with God] burns away all remnants of sin like fire. However, the principle of the Christian gentlemen from the very outset is that to attain forgiveness of a sin, it is necessary and required that a sinless person must be crucified. Now the fair-minded people can judge for themselves. It should also be remembered that for the judgement of every dis- pute and quarrel, the natural law of God Almighty exists. This natural