That, then, is grace—an encouraged and recommended act. Whoever performs it, Allah rewards him and raises his rank, and whoever leaves it is not punished.

Allah, exalted is He, also says: “Whoever kills a believer by mistake must free a believing slave and hand over blood-money to the victim’s family” (Qur’an 4:92). That is justice. He then says: “unless they remit it as charity” (Qur’an 4:92). That is grace.

He, exalted is He, says: “Wounds receive equitable retaliation” (Qur’an 5:45). That is justice. He then says: “but whoever forgoes it, that forbearance shall serve as atonement for him” (Qur’an 5:45). That is grace.

And He, exalted is He, says: “If you divorce women before you have touched them, while you have already fixed a bridal due for them, then half of what you fixed is due to them” (Qur’an 2:237).