II.
Islam’s view of sin and forgiveness
In considering the Islamic view of sin and forgiveness, we must all realize that our view of this topic is dependent on what we regard to be revelation from God. Both Christians and Muslims realize that we need God’s perspective on how to deal with sin. For Muslims, they believe God has revealed these things in the Qur’an.
A. Sin
The concept of sin in the Qur’an is presented using many different words and examples. Without going into all the technical terms, sin is presented as not living up to God’s standard, “missing the mark” as it were, failing to do well enough. It is presented as making mistakes or unintentionally straying from the right path. It is also presented as being outright rebellion against God, so there is intentional sin, and unintentional sin. Some of the sins marked out for special condemnation are pride, immorality, hypocrisy, greed, ingratitude to God, slander, giving false witness against someone, lying, stealing, and injustice. Unbelief in God and his prophets, especially Muhammad, is also presented as sin. The greatest sin of all is to associate someone else with God, that is to put someone or something on the same level of God in your mind and heart. Overall, it is to prefer your own way to God’s way, and stubbornly go your own way.
B. Why do people sin?
The fact of sin raises an important question, why do people sin? Why do people act against what they know is right and good? Islam’s answer is twofold. First mankind has been created weak, and second, Satan tempts people to do what is wrong.
Mankind’s weakness
Islam and the Qur’an are quick to point out that they do not believe that mankind is evil in its basic nature. The Islamic word for the basic nature in a person is “fitra.” This is a person’s basic nature as created by God. It is basically a neutral state, or perhaps with an inclination to the good, but can be adversely affected by outside factors. It is a state where the person has the capacity for belief or unbelief. Included in this is the concept of free will, that a person can choose evil or good, and has the power to carry out that choice in his actions and attitudes. One Muslim has defined it as, “a natural innate predisposition for good and for submission to God.”(1) Another adds, “that man is born sinless, in a state of submission to God.” (2)
Though the Qur’an presents that people are created with the ability to fulfill their duty to God and choose good over evil, it also recognizes that mankind consistently chooses what is evil. The Qur’an attributes this to an innate weakness. Surah 4:28 states: "Allah would make the burden light for you, for man was created weak." (Pickthall’s translation)
It is considered part of man’s nature to commit errors in view of his being created with free-will and having finite attributes (3) His weakness and proneness to choose wrong though is viewed as something which can be overcome by a person’s will power. One tradition presents Muhammad saying, "All of Aadam’s descendants constantly err, but the best of those who constantly err are those who constantly repent." (4)
Another Muslim writer sums up the Qur’an’s teaching on the subject of man’s weakness by saying man’s sin is due to his pettiness and narrowness of mind. He puts it this way, "His self-destructive selfishness and the greed to which he is constant prey, his hasty, panicky behaviour, his lack of self-reliance, and the fears that perpetually haunt him arise ultimately from the smallness of his mind." (5)
Satan tempts
Satan also takes advantage of man’s weakness and tempts him to do wrong. The Qur’an presents Satan as being real, and being very active, powerful, and effective in tempting people to go the wrong way. He whispers temptations into people’s minds to turn them away from good deeds to evil ones. The Qur’an record’s Satan’s desire where it presents him saying in Surah 38: 83,84, "He said: Then, by Thy might, I surely will beguile them every one, save Thy single-minded slaves among them." (Pickthall's translation)
Satan is believed to not have the power to actually overcome a person unless they first yield to him and follow his ways. Even then, the Qur’an and Islam present that man can overcome Satan through various means that are put at his disposal.
C. How do people obtain forgiveness?
Since people fail to obey God, how does Islam present that they may obtain forgiveness and become free of the evil around them? I put this question to a Muslim scholar and he summed up the heart of the Qur’an’s teaching as being that, (a) the person must confess their sin directly to Allah sincerely, (b) they should then repent of that sin sincerely, intending to never do it again, and (c) they should then trust in the promises of Allah’s forgiveness in the Qur’an.
To this basic process, the Qur’an also adds that repentance should be proved by doing good deeds. Surah 25:71 states, "And whosoever repents and does righteous good deeds, then verily, he repents towards Allah with true repentance." (King Fahd translation)
D. Summary
The Qur’an presents mankind as being created with a nature that has the capacity to choose good or evil. Although the Qur’an graphically portrays the record of mankind’s struggle as mainly one of failure, it is also quite optimistic that people can, with their own will power, through repentance, God’s forgiveness, God’s protection against Satan, and efforts to do what is right overcome evil in their lives and in society around them.