Islam - Its Meaning for Modern Man — Page 239
239 between the sexes has led to the lowering of moral standards in many cases, and proper regulation is needed (24:31 ⎯ 32). The general rule of conduct in all matters where specific directions are not available is to follow the middle path, and to avoid excess of all kinds (2:144). The greatest comfort, however, is to be found in the assurance that man has been created for the purpose of becoming a manifestation of Divine attributes (51:57). This means that he is capable of achieving that purpose. If in the pursuit of that purpose he should fall by the way, there is the further Divine assurance that God accepts repentance from His servants, and forgives their defaults (42:26). Not every default entails a penalty. Many that we are not even conscious of are overlooked (42:31). Punishment follows upon deliberate wrongdoing, but Divine Mercy encompasses everything (7:157). It is sometimes thought that the idea of wrong being wiped out by repentance fosters rather than checks wrongdoing. This is a complete misconception. Repentance does not mean that a person who deliberately commits wrong has only to say he repents and he can thereby escape the consequences of his evil conduct. The word for repentance used in the Quran is taubah , which means “turning away,” turning completely away from evil and turning back to God along the path of