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accordance with the Divine Nature
(ذات) and an expression of it. Hence it is self-contradictory
to say that God wills the transgression of His Will. As, however, the sons of Adam are now engulfed
in the whirlpool of Sin and wretchedness and are bound in slavery to their own carnal disposition
(النّفس
الاْمّارة), it is fitting to inquire how this wickedness and misery befell mankind.
Holy Scripture gives the answer to this question. It informs us that sin and its evil results
come upon men through the enmity and deceitfulness of Satan, and through man's own free choice and
resolve to do his own will instead of God's. Eve was deceived by Satan, and she led Adam astray. He
wilfully disobeyed the commandment of his Creator: and thus, turning aside in heart and conduct from
the love of the truth, he cut himself off from the fountain of life and of true happiness. This is
related in Gen. iii: compare John viii. 44; Rom. v. 12, 19: I Tim. ii. 13, I4.
If anyone should here inquire, "How is it that God did not prevent the entrance of evil into
the world? Why did He permit Satan to tempt man and to overcome him? Why does He still permit the
Evil One to perpetuate sin and misery, discord and violence on earth?"—he will find the
subject in some measure discussed in the "Way of Life"
(طريقُ
الْحيوَة). Here we content ourselves
with saying that God has not fully explained this matter to us, nor has human reason been able to
discover an answer which is in every respect full and satisfactory. But, however much we may wish to
know the reason of God's conduct in this matter, it is not necessary for us in this world to
be able to understand His doings. But it is necessary for us to recognize our own lost and miserable
condition and the way of escape from it. We know, as did Abraham, that the Judge of all the earth
does what is right (Gen. xviii. 25). Wise men have assured us that the presence of so many
temptations in this present
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world, and the fact that there exists in it so much misery and sorrow and suffering caused by
sin, all this renders life in this lower world peculiarly fit to train us in virtue1 by
leading us to resist and overcome temptation through God's grace, and by showing us how terrible are
the consequences of sin. God Most High has given men freedom of will, to choose for themselves right
or wrong, sin or righteousness, obedience or disobedience, freedom from the slavery of the Devil or
submission to it. God has revealed His Will and His love towards us. He has shown us the right way,
yet He does not compel us to turn to Him, for He desires our love, and in love, as in true Religion,
there cannot be compulsion.
God Most Merciful has unmistakeably taught us in His Holy Word
(كلام) that it is not His Will that
any man should remain2 subject to the dominion of Satan and the slavery of Sin. God's
will is that every man should become free from the chains of sin, should be cleansed from the stains
of guilt and impurity, and should thus attain to the spiritual condition of likeness to God from
which Adam fell, so that each man may become an heir of eternal happiness. Both the Old Testament
and the New agree with universal human experience in teaching that there can be no true happiness
for man until he repents of his evil deeds and with true faith turns to God, becomes free from sin,
and obtains God's forgiveness. Without purity of heart no one can ever see God with the inward eye
(Matt. v. 8; Heb. xii. 14). The truly pious man must become holy because God is Holy (Lev. xix. 2;
Matt. v. 48; 2 Cor. vi. 14-vii. 1; I Pet. ii. 9, 10; I John iii. 1-8). This is the teaching of the
Holy Scripture: and when once we have heard this doctrine, our reason and conscience bear witness to
its truth. For, as man was made in Gods image and has had that image
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