Islam - Its Meaning for Modern Man — Page 222
222 A few illustrations might help one appreciate the manner in which the Quran teaches that natural instincts may be converted into moral qualities. Take the natural instinct of revenge or retribution that manifests itself in many forms and incites a person to a variety of acts. The regulation of this instinct, by placing it under the control of reason and judgement, converts it into a moral quality; whereas, if it be allowed to operate unrestrained and uncontrolled by reason, it cannot acquire a moral character. Regulation of a natural instinct may itself have several gradations. With regard to the instinct just mentioned, the first gradation is: A person who has suffered wrong may seek the imposition of a penalty upon the wrongdoer. This is often necessary to safeguard law and order, not only through its deterrent effect on potential lawbreakers, but also by removing the temptation to unrestrained violence on the part of the injured person. However, the penalty must not be out of proportion to the wrong suffered (2:195). The next gradation is: He who forgives a trespass committed against him, intending thereby to effect a reformation in the offender, achieves a higher standard of moral action than the one who insists upon the imposition of a proportionate penalty in all cases (42:40 ⎯ 44). A still higher gradation is: The person wronged should not only suppress his desire to take revenge, and, in cases where reformation may be