Allah The Exalted — Page 118
1 1 in every way. Yet it is true that there are two systems of law. One for the angels in heaven, which is the law of Divine decree which the angels cannot disobey, and there is another law which is in operation on earth that man has been given the choice of good and evil. But when a per- son supplicates God for power to overcome evil, then with the support of the Holy Spirit he can overcome his weakness and can safeguard himself against sin, as is the case with the Prophets and Messengers of God. In the case of those who have been guilty of sin, asking for forgiveness can deliver them from the consequences of sin and they are spared chastisement in respect of it, for when light comes darkness is dispelled. Those offenders who do not beg for forgiveness suffer punish- ment for their offences. In these days, the plague has also descended upon the earth as punishment and the rebel- lious ones are being destroyed. Then how can it be said that the kingdom of God does not operate upon the earth? Do not be misled by the thought that if there is a king- dom of God upon earth then why is any sin committed? Sins are also subject to the Divine law of decrees. Al- though the offenders put themselves outside the law of Shar i ‘ah they cannot put themselves outside the law of decrees. Then how can it be said that sinners do not bend to the yoke of the Divine kingdom?. . . . If Divine law were to take on extreme harshness and every adulterer were to be struck down by lightning, and every thief were to be afflicted by some disease whereby his hands would become rotten and fall away, and every rebellious one who denies God and His religion were to die of the plague, then before the expiry of a week the whole world would put on the garments of righteousness