Ahmadiyyat or The True Islam — Page 58
58 one man that which is due to another, and God never does any of these things. All that He does is that He forgives a repentant creature who, having realized the error of his ways, gives up his evil course of life and presents himself before the throne of Divine mercy supplicating for forgiveness with a beating heart, trem- bling lips, streaming eyes, a head bowed with shame, a mind bursting with tumultuous thoughts, and a determi- nation to lead a pure and unsullied life in future. God enables such a person to start on a new course of life. He is like the father whose son goes astray and comes home humbled and repentant after a long time, unable to lift his eyes to his father, who, overcome by natural affection, draws him to his breast, and does not reject him, but on the contrary proclaims his joy at the return of his son. Would this be an occasion for his other sons who had remained at home and served him, to complain of the injustice of their father? No doubt punishment is one of the instruments of reform, but the tortures of hell are not a greater punish- ment than true remorse. What the fire of hell can effect in the course of a hundred thousand years, true remorse may effect in the course of a few minutes. When a man appears before God truly repentant and with a determi- nation to lead a pure life in future, the Merciful God must take pity on him. Shall the Merciful and Forgiving Lord turn away from, and reject a servant of His who throws himself down at the door of His mercy, all remorse for the past and hope for the future? Surely, No!