The Holy War — Page 201
Proceedings—Debate 1 June 1893 201 thousands of children, birds, and insects are killed without any rea- son. So why does this take place if the everlasting attribute of justice is active? And according to your rules why has justice not been adminis- tered for them? The truth is that nothing has any right against God Almighty; man cannot even enter into Heaven by his own right; this status emerges out of a promise. Once the Book of God is revealed and within it are prom- ises and warnings, then Allah Almighty deals with every righteous or evil person in accord with His promises and warnings. And given that justice on its own is nothing, and in fact, the whole foundation is based upon His promises and warnings; and since nothing has any kind of right against God Almighty, then why should justice be maintained? The definition of justice demands that first the parties be ascribed rights. However, the creatures have no right against God who created them from nothingness; otherwise, a dog—for instance—could ask why did You not make me a bull and the bull could ask why did You not make me a human being? And because these animals are suffering a form of Hell in this very world, if justice were made incumbent on God, then such a serious allegation would be raised that you would be unable to answer in any way. Then, you objected to compulsion and destiny and stated that com- pulsion is proven from the Quran. In reply to this, it should be known that perhaps you may not have seen these verses which clearly argue in favour of endeavour and choice. The verses are as follows: 1 (Pt. 27 R. 3)— َو ْنَا َسْيَّل ِناَسْنِاْلِل اَّلِا اَم ىٰعَس۰۰ That, man will have only that which he strives for; what he has attempted; in other words, deeds are necessary for gaining rewards. Then again He states: 1. S u rah an-Najm, 53:40 [Publisher]