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THE
QUR'ANIC DOCTRINE OF GOD |
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which plainly show that Muhammad recognized that
evil was not of God, but of man.' 1
We shall return to these passages when we take up the
teaching of the Qur'an on the relation of God to
mankind in creation and providence.
6. We have just said that in considering the teaching
of the Qur'an concerning the will of God we must
not forget to consider His justice, one of the most
prominent features in the representation given in the
Qur'an of the character of God. Time and again Muhammad
appeals to history to show how in the past God destroyed
individuals, or cities, or nations, but he affirms with
great earnestness that these divine judgements were
not capricious acts, but were the due punishment of
the guilty, who had had time and opportunity to turn
from their evil ways. 'Hath not the history reached
them of those who were before them? — of the people
of Noah, and of Ad, and of Themud, and of the people
of Abraham, and of the inhabitants of Madian, and of
the overthrown cities? Their apostles came to them with
clear proofs of their mission: God would not
deal wrongly by them, but they dealt wrongly by themselves.'
2 ' We dealt not unfairly
by them, but they dealt not fairly by themselves.'
3 'Were the generations before you, endued
with virtue, and who forbad corrupt doings on the earth,
more than a few of those whom we delivered? but the
evildoers followed
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| THE
CHARACTER AND ATTRIBUTES OF GOD |
39 |
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their selfish pleasures, and became transgressors.
And thy Lord was not one who would destroy those cities
unjustly, when its inhabitants were righteous.'
1 ' We never destroyed a city
whose term was not prefixed: No people can forestall
or retard its destiny.' 2
In other passages Muhammad teaches that though God
is long-suffering with mankind, or with individuals
of the human race, His indulgence and patience is not
to be understood to mean indifference. Time is given
to the sons of men to turn from their evil ways, and
to enter into the right path; but if the opportunities
for repentance are neglected, and the warning of God's
apostles and messengers is not heeded, God is swift
and terrible in punishing. 'To hasten evil rather
than good will they challenge thee: but, before their
time have been like examples. Full, truly, of mercy
is thy Lord unto men, despite their sins; but, verily,
thy Lord is right vehement to punish.' 3
'And it is He who hath made you the successors of
others on the earth, and hath raised some of
you above others by various grades, that He may prove
you by His gifts. Verily thy Lord is swift to punish.
But He is also Gracious, Merciful!' 4
On the day of judgement the decision given in each
case will be in accordance with justice. 'Just balances
will We set up for the day of the resurrection, neither
shall any soul be wronged in aught; though, were a work
but the weight of a grain of mustard seed, we would
bring it forth to be weighed: and our reckoning
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