Page 250 - A Call For Unity

A Call for Unity

ness. Do not follow the crowd in doing wrong. When you give
testimony in a lawsuit, do not block justice by siding with the
crowd... Do not deny justice to your poor people in their law-
suits. Have nothing to do with a false charge, and do not put an
innocent or honest person to death, for I will not acquit the
guilty. Do not accept a bribe, for a bribe blinds those who see and
twists the words of the righteous. (Exodus, 23: 1-8)

Forgiveness

People make mistakes. While in this arena of testing,
they will make many mistakes and be wronged by other
people. Most unbelievers are intolerant of mistakes and im-
patient with those who make them. If they are harmed by
the mistakes of others, they often retaliate viciously.
Religious morality, however, commands forgiveness and a

loving nature. Believers, aware of their total dependence up-
on Allah, know that they can make the same mistakes as oth-
ers. Thus, they speak soothingly and are forgiving. In the
Qur'an Allah praises those who forgive:
Correct and courteous words accompanied by forgive-
ness are better than charity followed by insulting
words. Allah is Rich Beyond Need, All-Forbearing.
(Surat Al-Baqara: 263)

Whether you reveal a good act or keep it hidden, or par-
don an evil act, Allah is Ever-Pardoning, All-Powerful.
(Surat An-Nisa: 149)
Hold to forgiveness, command what is right, and turn
away from the ignorant. (Surat Al-A'raf: 199)

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