Actions Vs Reprisal & Forgiveness
Waseema H. Qureshi
Many of the Quran verses repeatedly note that Allah is all forgiving. However, simultaneously, the persistent mention of harsh payback for human deviations from the prescribed norms, seem to contradict the Quran’s insistence that Allah is compassionate and magnanimous.
Nevertheless, numerous statements that describe creation of the universe, life on earth, death and recreation of star systems - besides the dos and don'ts of a happy co-existence within societies and families - is convincing proof that the Quran is a book of truth. In addition, the holy scriptures categorically forewarn of a divine system whereby our doings on earth are carried forward as consequences to be borne in the after-life, claiming that the final judgement will not be based on a spontaneous decision, but rather emerge from the manuscript of regulations, revealed, well in advance. The difference between now and thereafter is that on the Day of Judgement:
“The evils that they earned will appear unto them…” (Quran:39:48).
Note the word ‘earned’ and also the Arabic word ‘bada’ which indicates ‘to become conspicuous.’ The verse therefore means that within Allah’s established system, once freed from space-time limitations - a burning self-reproach will emanate from the guilt of blatant misdeeds that troubled Allah's discipline, when wrongdoing was torment-free in previous life: “You were heedless of this; now have We removed your veil, and sharp is your sight this Day!” (50:22)
Warnings of such dimensional change in the Hereafter are indeed by Allah’s Mercy as God reveals every detail of life’s journey on the timeline of His planning from the beginning to the last destination: “And the evil consequences of what they earned struck them. And those who have wronged will be afflicted by the evil consequences of what they earned; and they cannot escape.” (39:51) The verse reminds that Allah holds no direct responsibility for the reckoning of the Judgement Day.
As part of a vigilant system of measured preciseness, our actions are under more meticulous surveillance than we can ever imagine. They are recorded and stocked in secure stores called, ‘Illiyeen’ and ‘Sijjeen;’ guarded by angels (Quran:83:7&18)
Despite human activities being documented and forwarded without delay, Allah is benevolent in offering hope: “Say: ‘O my Servants who have transgressed against their souls! Despair not of the Mercy of Allah: for Allah forgives all sins: for He is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.” (39:53).
There’s a firm promise, saying: “...Your Lord has decreed upon Himself mercy: that any of you who does wrong out of ignorance and then repents after that and corrects himself - indeed, He is Forgiving and Merciful.” (6:5) Thus, undoubtedly our Lord is tolerant and most compassionate for “...He has decreed upon Himself mercy...” (6:12).
Along with pledges of reprisal, ‘to pardon’ is also part of Allah’s confirmed decrees. The pronouncement of clemency offers hope to whosoever submits: repents and makes a serious effort to self-correct. Otherwise Allah’s benevolence is not restricted to a certain group or time for: “Each do We supply, both these and those, from the bounty of thy Lord. And the bounty of thy Lord can never be confined.” (17:20):
There is still time before the eye-opening moment of bitter self-appraisal dawns, leaving no other option but to assent and succumb to the deserving outcomes, because: “(For) every person We have imposed his fate upon his neck, and We will produce for him on the Day of Resurrection a record which he will encounter spread open: ‘Read your record. Sufficient is yourself against you this Day as accountant.’(17:13-14)”