Introduction

In the section on ‘Theology’ (See lesson 11), we realized that God’s Will consists basically of righteousness and perfection and there is no place therein for deficiency.

Therefore, with respect to man, God’s primary Will naturally tends to belong to his perfection, eternal prosperity and enjoyment of eternal blessings. However, the sinners’ punishment and bad luck, which are due to their own wrong choices, are included in God’s wise Will. Nevertheless, had it not been the requisite of the peoples’ wrong choices, in meeting their punishment and adversity, God’s infinite mercy would necessitate no creature to meet punishment.1

It is the same overwhelming Divine mercy, which characterizes man’s creation with freedom and the right of choice; however, the requisite of being able to choose between faith and disbelief is to meet its good or bad outcome. The difference, nevertheless, is that meeting a joyful end belongs to God’s primary Will, while meeting a painful end belongs to His subordinate Will. The same difference necessitates that in both creation and canonization, righteousness is preferred. In other words, man is created so as his personality becomes more deeply affected by good deeds, whilst canonically he has been ordered to perform easy deeds so that other than for gaining prosperity and relief from eternal punishment he would not need to perform hard and intolerable deeds.2

Moreover, at the time of assigning reward or punishment to people, reward is preferred, and God’s mercy will precede His anger. This precedence or preference of God’s mercy is manifested in different ways; some of which are discussed below.

Increase In Reward

With respect to the results of good deeds, the first privilege for those who seek prosperity is that their reward does not merely equal the amount they deserve; rather it exceeds their deeds. This has been cited in the Holy Qur’an in different verses such as:

“Whoever brings virtue shall receive [a reward] better than it” (Holy Qur’an, 27:89).

Moreover, the following verse states:

“Whoever performs a good deed, We shall enhance for him its goodness” (Holy Qur’an, 42:23).

And the following verse maintains:

“Those who are virtuous shall receive the best reward and an enhancement” (Holy Qur’an, 10:26).

The Holy Qur’an also claims:

“Indeed Allah does not wrong [anyone] [even to the extent of] an atom’s weight, and if it be a good deed He doubles it [‘s reward], and gives from Himself a great reward” (Holy Qur’an, 4:40).

“Whoever brings virtue shall receive ten times it’s like; but whoever brings vice shall not be requited except with its like, and they will not be wronged” (Holy Qur’an, 6:160).

Forgiveness Of Minor Sins

Another privilege is that if those who believe in God avoid committing major sins, God, the kindest, will forgive their minor sins and destroy their effect.

This has been claimed in the following verse:

“If you avoid the major sins that you are forbidden, We will absolve you of your misdeeds, and admit you to a noble abode” (Holy Qur’an, 3:31).

Clearly, the forgiveness of minor sins for such believers does not require their repentance, as repentance forgives major sins as well.

Receiving Benefits From The Deeds Of Others

Another merit for believers is that Almighty God accepts the requests for forgiveness for believers of His angels and selected slaves3, and accepts the prayers and requests of other believers in their favor. Almighty God also accepts to allocate the reward of a good deed done by a person to the person of the doer’s choice.

Such points have been discussed in a number of verses and traditions; however, since they are directly related to ‘Intercession’ and should be discussed in more detail, in the present section, the above points seem sufficient.

Questions

1. What is the secret behind the precedence of God’s mercy?

2. Discuss the manifestations of such precedence in creation and canonization.

3. Explain its usage in man’s reward and punishment.

• 1. In the Supplication of Kumayl we read: So I declare with certainty that were it not for what you have decreed concerning the chastisement of Your deniers and what You have foreordained concerning the everlasting home of those who stubbornly resist, You would make the fire all of it, coolness and safety, and no one would have a place of rest or abode within it.
• 2. Refer to the Holy Qur’an, 2:158, 22:78.
• 3. Refer to the Holy Qur’an, 40:7, 3:152, 4:64, 14:41.