The Holy War — Page 161
Proceedings—Debate 30 May 1893 161 and Y pays the price for it, as we can see from the following references: Ezekiel 18:1, then Ezekiel 18:20, then Samuel 2:3, Revelation 20:12, Ezekiel 19:27–301—is indeed a most detestable cruelty and there surely could be no greater cruelty in the world than that. Unless, of course, it is the case that God suddenly remembered this remedy for sins after hundreds upon hundreds of years of contemplation. It is evident that a Divine arrangement that is in accord with human nature should have been in place from the very beginning. Ever since man appeared in the world the foundation for sin was laid from then on. Then, what is this that sin began to spread poison from that point on, but it was some 4,000 years later that God Almighty remembered to provide a remedy for this sin? No—Sir!—this is nothing but a sheer fabrication. The fact is that just as God Almighty had placed the capacity to sin within the nature of man, so did He similarly place the cure for that sin within his nature, as He Himself says: — ىٰلَب ْنَم َمَلْسَا ٗهَهْجَو ِهّٰلِل َو َوُه ٌنِسْحُم ۤٗهَلَف ٗهُرْجَا َدْنِع ٖهِّبَر١۪ َو اَل ٌفْوَخ ْمِهْيَلَع َو اَل ْمُه َنْوُنَزْحَي۰۰ 2 (Pt. 1, R. 13) That is to say, whoever submits his entire being to God Almighty, and then devotes himself to the doing of good works, shall have the reward of these from Allah Almighty. And such people shall have no fear nor shall they grieve. Now, look how this rule to repent and turn to God Almighty and to devote one’s life in this very path is such a straight path to achieve forgiveness of sins that it is not limited to any particular age or period. Ever since man came into this transitory life, he has had this law with him. As he possesses a condition in his nature to be attracted towards sin, he has the second condition in him to feel repentant and become 1. The correct reference is Ezekiel 18:27–30. [Publisher] 2. S u rah al-Baqarah, 2:113 [Publisher]