Three in One — Page 278
Almighty's treatment of mankind has been mentioned in the. Holy Quran where the Lord and Master of destiny states: 'I will inflict My punishment on whom I will but My mercy encompasses all things; so I will ordain it for those who act righteously. '. In view of this ever prevailing principle, it would be rather naive of Abdul Hafeez to argue that all prophecies must be literally fulfilled as understood by the limited intellect of the human mind since such a view is totally misleading and fails to take into consideration, firstly, Allah's incomprehensible attributes of mercy and compassion and secondly, such other relevant factors as the subsequent behaviour of people concerning whom Divine prophecies have been made or issued. . Nevertheless, since God's attribute of mercy preponderates His wrath, no Muslim worth his salt, except possibly Abdul Hafeez, would ever dare argue against Allah's right to exercise His discretion and show mercy whenever He so chooses. This right, according to the Holy Quran and Hadeeth literature, God has ordained for Himself and this right, He exercises even unto those against whom Divine wrath had previously been decreed. '. No doubt, whatever is stated by God is the ultimate Truth because He speaks nothing but the Truth. But then, God. Almighty is, Himself, the Master of His will and the Lord of destiny. He may predict destruction of a people and yet, He may, if these people change their conduct in life and show remorse as well as seek repentance and begin to act righteously, pardon them and allow His overriding principle stated above to come to effect since Allah does not punish people while they seek forgiveness. Ⓡ. According to Hadhrat Muhammadsa, it is an established fact of. Islamic teachings that 'in relation to His warnings of Divine punishment, God Almighty is at complete liberty to forgive,' 6. Ibid. , 6. 13 7. Sahih Muslim. Kitab al Tauba 5. Ibid. , 7. 157 8. Al Quran 8. 34 9. Alusi, [Hadhrat] Abu'l Fadl; Sahih al Mahmood Baghdadi, Tafsir Ruh al Ma'ami, vol. 2, p. 55 278