Lecture Ludhiana — Page 51
51 37 Here forgiveness is conditional and reform specific. The Jewish religion prescribed the recompense of an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth. As a result, they became so vengeful, and this habit became so deeply ingrained in them, that if the father failed to take his revenge it became incumbent upon the son and even the grandson to avenge him. This made them vindictive, hard-hearted and merci- less. The Christians went to the other extreme. They were instructed to offer the second cheek as well when slapped on one; and to accompany for two miles anyone forces you to walk one mile, and so on and so forth. The obvious defect in this teaching is that it is not practicable. The Christian governments have demonstrated in practice that it is defective. Is there a Christian so bold as to offer his other cheek to a scoundrel who has knocked out his tooth with a blow and say, “All right, go ahead, knock out the other tooth as well. ” Will this not further embolden the scoundrel? It would certainly result in the breakdown of law and order. How on earth can we admit the superiority of such teaching or say that it is consistent with divine design? If this teaching becomes the guiding principle, no country could be governed properly. It would require 37 ‘The recompense of an injury is an injury the like thereof; but whoso forgives and his act brings about reformation, his reward is with Allah. ’ (42:41) [Translator]