The Ahmadiyya Gazette, June 1994

It is related by Hazrat Abu Hurairah (pbuh) that the Holy Prophet (pbuh) said that if Mu’min had an idea of the punishment as to how severe it will be, he will never hope for paradise. He will think that it is very difficult to escape from the punishment.If a kafir had an idea how vast are the treasures of grace and mercy of Allah, he will never be disappointed of His paradise. He will be confident that only a wretch will be denied of it. (Muslim Kitab al-Taubah)

Explanation

This Hadith gives an idea of the magnitude of vast treasures of Allah’s grace and mercy. A Mu’min is fully confident of His kindnesses. Whenever he commits a fault, immediately prostrates at His doorstep and begs His forgiveness and promises to be a better person. Allah also keeps on forgiving him. Thus he goes on advancing virtues, good deeds and Taqwa and reaches a stage where Allah says, “Come, enter the fold of my servants and enter my paradise”.

On the contrary, if we see other faiths, the concept of forgiveness, pardon and mercy is not as sublime as it is in the religion of Islam. That’s why kafir is not very confident of Allah’s graces and mercy. He tries to seek refuge in the concept of atonement for his salvation or wants forgiveness in transmigration of souls. But both these beliefs are not correct and do not provide tranquillity to the soul. It is the good deeds and right beliefs which are the source of man’s salvation.