(26) Sins, good works, salvation

OUTLINE OF CHAPTER
Stratagems of Satan: Satan instills fears of his allies; Satan’s guile is weak indeed, whispering half-truths, evil impulses as masters, sin and materialistic outlook, deceptions of Satan, seek refuge with God from Satan, casting doubt in prophetic message, Satan not the primary cause of sin, evil soul-mates, Satan as companion of evildoers in this world and on the judgment day.
Sinful deeds: evil thoughts verses evil deeds, blaming an innocent person for one’s sin, unjustified envy and idol worship, false pride, contention as a cause of sin, three cardinal sins (idol worship, murder and adultery), spreading rumors, do not deride, defame, insult, spy and backbite; intrigue and conspiracy; swearer, slanderer, withholder of good, aggressor, cruel and greedy; is entertainment and music vice. Consequences for sins (in this world and afterlife): Sinning against themselves, leading others to sin, suffering due to sins. Repentance and forgiveness of sins, acceptance of repentance only before dying hour, life-term to accept or reject God’s guidance, granting of respite to sinners, if divine punishment was immediate no one will be alive, when salvation is too late.
Forgiveness of sins: Atonement of sins by forgiving others, law of grace and mercy, forgiveness for those who strive in God’s cause, angels ask for forgiveness of sins of humans, glad tidings for those who shun evil, atonement of sins.
Faith and good deeds: do good deeds for your own good, Al-Asr (the flight of time, 103), good deeds as mirage for the faithless, good works alone not enough for salvation, faith without good works is no faith at all, good works as integral part of faith. Man’s duties to God and fellow-man (examples of good deeds): Prayer and charity, helping orphans, helping fellow man, neighbors and freeing slaves, helping one’s family, goodness toward parents, speaking what is just and true, justice and generosity, keep promise, abstain from slander and do not act haughtily, fruits of good deeds endures forever, repel evil with good.
Luqman counseling to his son: revere your parents, enjoin good and forbid wrong, and shun false pride. Love your fellow man, bond of kinship, treatment of children, helping widows, rights of animals.
Salvation: forgiveness of sins and salvation, multiple rewards for good deeds, faith, reward for good deeds and effacing of sins, equal punishment for evil deeds, ultimate rewards for good deeds, equal recompense for evil and ultimate rewards for good, man is responsible for his own actions, good deeds, heaven and hell, repentance and paradise.
Three criteria for salvation: (1) belief in one God (god as the source of moral standards), (2) belief judgment day, (3) good works; salvation of Jews, Sabians, Christians, Magians and Muslims.
 
 
 
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