Truth About The Crucifixion — Page 27
might believe in him. In this way the supposed conflict between the Divine attribute of Justice, which demanded punishment, and the Divine attribute of Mercy, which demanded forgiveness, was resolved. Islam considers that this design offends against reason, and is unacceptable from every point of view. Looked at from the point of view of justice, it is clearly unjust that an innocent one should be punished for the sins of the guilty. From the point of view of spiritual philosophy, sin means rebellion against God and His commandments and thus becoming bereft of His love. How can man win through to the obedience and love of God, by depriving God, the son, of the obedience and love of God, the Father? Islam teaches that in order to find God, it is necessary for a person to discard all vice, and this can be achieved only through such recognition of God Almighty as fills the heart with the realisation of God's Majesty and Greatness, and instils His fear in the human soul. To win the love of God it is necessary to love Him to a degree that entails losing oneself altogether in Him, and gaining a new and pure life from Him. As the highest excellence of man is the winning of Divine love, which is testified to by the witness of millions of the righteous, it follows that the true purpose of human life is the winning of God's love and nearness to Him. Islam teaches that perfect recognition of God is the root of fear, and love, and appreciation of Him. He who is bestowed perfect recognition, is also bestowed perfect fear and perfect love. Man's true love of God attracts the love of God and the true lover of God, who is wholly devoted to God, in turn becomes the beloved of God. Such true and perfect love cannot subsist along with the wrath of God and the fire of hell. One of the signs 19