Islam - Its Meaning for Modern Man — Page 358
358 not to punish. Misfortunes and calamities follow upon defaults and transgressions, but the gates of God’s mercy are ever open, and everything may enter therein through humble supplications, sincere repentance, and righteous action. Direct communion with God is the spiritual remedy. “Why should Allah punish you if you make proper use of His bounties and if you believe? Surely, Allah is Appreciating, All-Knowing” (4:148). “When those who believe in Our Signs come to thee, say: ‘Peace be unto you, your Lord has charged Himself with Mercy, so that whoso among you does evil in ignorance and repents thereafter and amends his conduct, then He is Most forgiving, Merciful”’(6:55). Here is an assurance of great comfort: “O My servants, who have committed excesses against their own souls, despair not of the Mercy of Allah; surely, Allah forgives all sins. Verily, He is Most Forgiving, Merciful. Turn ye to your Lord, and submit yourselves to Him before there comes unto you the punishment; for then shall you not be helped. And follow in the highest degree that which has been revealed to you from your Lord before the torment comes upon you unawares, while you perceive not” (39:54 ⎯ 56). The day will come “when some faces shall be bright and some faces shall be downcast…. As for those whose faces will be bright, they will be