Islam: Faith, Practice & History

(Nora) #1
1. The Wisdom & Justice of God

God’s wisdom requires that those who do good should not be left
withoutreward,thatthosewhodoevilshouldnotbeleftwithoutpun-
ishmentandthattheoppressedbedeliveredfromtheiroppression.We
can see that thisworld is not aplace of complete rewardand punish-
ment,andthatmanygood-doersandevil-doersdiebeforethey receive
complete recompense for their deeds.


Thusifthe records ofthese peoplewereto terminaterighthere and
thereisnoreturnandresurrection,whatwouldhavehappenedtoGod's
infinite justice, wisdom and mercy? How can it be said that the Just,
WiseandMercifulCreator broughtaworld into existence wheregood
peoplearetroubledwithoppressionandinjustice,andafterawhilebe-
come nothing?


Weallknow thatthiswouldbe nothinglessthaninjustice.Howisit
possiblethataGodwhohadnoneedtocreateus,andwhoseaimincre-
atinguswasonlytotrainus andmakeourexistenceproductive,could
besatisfiedmerelywiththispresentworld?HowcouldHecuttheroot
ofman'sexistencebeforehebecameawareandreachedfruitionandan-
nihilate him?


God, no doubt, will give complete reward and punishment for all
deeds and behaviour in another world, and will neglect nothing. He
says,OrdothosewhocommitevildeedsthinkthatWeshallmakethem
asthosewhobelieveanddorighteousdeeds,equaltheirlivingandtheir
dying? Howill theyjudge! Allahcreated the heavensand the earthin
truth,and thatevery soulmay berecompensed forwhatithasearned;
they shall not be wronged. (45:21-22)


Moreover, there are certain deeds forwhich a person cannot be ad-
equately punished inthis world.For example,a person who dropsan
atom bomb and blows millions of people away cannot be adequately
punishedbyhisdeath—hisfull punishmentwillonlycomeinthe next
worldwhichisaneternalworld.Similarly,therearecertaingooddeeds
for which a person cannot be rewarded properly in this world.

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