Through Force or Faith? — Page 302
?— A Reply to Pope Benedict XVI 302 therefore, it is third in sequence. When all actions are done, then lastly their consequences come into play. Therefore, the attribute of God being the Master of the Day of Judgment is mentioned at the end. The beneficence covered by this special attribute is more specific, and it would come into full manifestation after termina- tion of the world of cause and effect. Then, God’s absolute Power would become totally apparent. The person on the receiving end would experience that in reality it is the Universal Master bestow- ing through His will and special authority an enormous reward and immense joy upon him. The recompense for his deeds is ever- lasting, exceedingly pure, superior, affable and delightful. As a result of it, God makes the person meet his objective. This attrib- ute of God also rejects the Christian doctrine of atonement. Islam presents, through this attribute, the God who is more than merely being Just. He is the Master, and as such He has no restrictions imposed on Him that He should punish each and every sin. Being the Master, He has full authority to forgive and overlook the sins as He may deem appropriate. These four bountiful attributes of God are most eloquently described in S u rah al-Fāti h ah in the same sequence as they appear in the natural order of this world. Thus, God’s Word is a perfect reflection of His Work, and the style of expression is such that every intelligent person can clearly see its full implementation in the composition of the universe. By describing these four cardinal attributes, an outline of God is shown that Quran presents to the world and desires to get it accepted. By pondering over these attributes, one can see the face of God, and the soul prostrates before Him in ecstasy. That’s the reason that in the beginning of this prayer God, the Exalted, is addressed in the form of a third person. However, thinking of