Islam - Its Meaning for Modern Man — Page 240
240 righteousness. This involves a moral revolution which should engender intense repugnance toward evil and a constant yearning after righteousness, manifesting itself in conduct. All conduct, which includes thought, leaves an impress on the soul. True repentance means that the stain left by wrongdoing should be completely washed out through righteous conduct. Acceptance of repentance and forgiveness of wrongdoing imply that a stage has been reached where not only the evil committed is forgiven in the sense that the penalty involved is remitted, but that its consequences affecting the wrongdoer are also wiped out. A human being can forgive only in the limited sense of remitting the penalty, but Divine forgiveness has the quality of wiping out the consequences also. The Prophet has said: “He who truly repents is like one who has committed no default. ” There is also the assurance that good is positive and overcomes and destroys evil. “Surely, good overcomes and destroys evil. This is a reminder for those who would remember. Be thou then steadfast; for, surely, Allah suffers not the reward of the righteous to perish” (11:115). The Quran lays down that the recompense of evil is a penalty in proportion thereto, but that the recompense of good is without limit: “Whoso does evil will be requited only with the like of it; but whoso does good, whether male or female, and is a believer ⎯ these will enter the Garden;