The Truth About Salvation — Page 30
Hazrat Mirza Bashir-ud-Din Mahmud Ahmad 30 deemed unjust for acquitting a criminal, the same would be true if God exonerated a sinner. However, the difference between God and a magistrate is immense. When a criminal is presented before a magistrate it is not because they have wronged the magistrate, but committed an offence against the government; the magistrate cannot exonerate them of their own volition. On the other hand, a sin committed by a person is an act against God, and therefore, He can choose to forgive it. Besides, the claim that courts do not pardon criminals is inaccurate, since there are many instances in which those who are guilty are reprieved because of various reasons. Only recently, the court sentenced some criminals to death, but the viceroy then changed the sentence to life imprisonment. Is there anyone who can claim that this did not happen? Certainly not! Moreover, another reason why courts do not acquit criminals is their inability to determine whether a claim to remorse is genuine or made out of pretence to save themselves from punishment. An exonerated criminal could turn out to be a repeat offender. But God Almighty has knowledge of even the smallest things; He knows whether the remorseful sinner will refrain from sins. Therefore, there should not be any objection against God for pardoning an individual. According to Islam