until I love him. When I love him, I become his hearing with which he hears, his sight with which he sees, his hand with which he strikes, and his foot with which he walks; through Me he hears, through Me he sees, through Me he strikes, and through Me he walks. If he asks Me, I will surely grant him, and if he seeks refuge in Me, I will surely protect him. I do not hesitate over anything I do as much as I hesitate over taking the soul of My believing servant: he dislikes death and I dislike displeasing him, yet it is inevitable.’

Otherwise, were it to be claimed that the Messiah—peace be upon him—had made it compulsory for the wronged person to pardon the oppressor, in the sense that he would deserve threat, blame, and punishment if