Did Jesus Redeem Mankind? — Page 43
? 36 contrary, those who kept to good deeds they held fast to the excellence of their natural constitution endowed with beautiful impulses; only the section that had departed from the path incurred punishment and seceded from the party of the Prophets. The above verse points out إِلَّا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَعَمِلُوا الصَّلِحَتِ that the group mentioned in (those who believed and practiced good deeds) belong to the party of the Prophets and their virtues and errors are the results of positive action on their part, neither being hereditary. The crux of our challenge to Christians is whether the followers of Prophets can or cannot be saved without believing in vicarious atonement. Their answer is “No. ” But the Holy Quran says that the virtuous believers, that is, those who act according to the teachings of the Prophets, will have an eternal reward. Therefore, the concept that sin is inherent in the man is erroneous. CONSCIOUSNESS OF GOOD AND EVIL Here the Christians can object that their theory rests on the sinfulness of human nature making virtuous acts on his part an impossible thing and that therefore, the law is a curse. (3) The Holy Quran observes in this connection: