holy man—which he was not—it would be strange indeed for GOD to show so much favoritism to
one of His creatures as to leave the eternal doom of so many in his hands. And Muhammad never
claimed—nor do any of his orthodox followers claim for him—that he was anything but a creature.
Others say, "The remedy1 for the disease of Sin is repentance (taubah) and
regret. Whoever turns to GOD Most High with self-abasement and contrition, the Most High God pardons
his sin." But when, in answer to this, it is urged that no earthly judge or magistrate would be
thought just who let off a thief or a murderer from punishment merely because of the man's
profession of penitence, the Muslim replies that no conclusion can be drawn from these premises
regarding GOD'S dealing with sinners. "For," he urges, "the magistrate is not his own
master, but has to obey the orders of his superiors; but GOD—Praised be He and exalted!—has no
one to whom He must render2 account." Such an argument appears to many a Muhammadan
to be most conclusive!
There are some, however, in whose hearts the yearning rises for something better than this,
something that will enable them to escape the terrors of conscience. Yet Islam is unable to give
them any comfort if they are not
