Notes: Transmigration
The Light (Pakistan), 16th January 1923 Issue (Vol. 2, No. 2, p. 1)
A seeker-after-truth writes:
“We, the Muslims, believe that there is no rebirth, and the dead do not come to the world again. But the Hindus believe in rebirth and thus explain the difference of grades in men. They say that some men are blind, deaf and poor, while others are quite healthy, strong and rich. This difference is due to the fact that the wicked are punished and the good are rewarded in this very world for their wickedness and virtue in the previous life.
What do you say about it?”
Evidently this theory is based upon the assumption that God is Just, and hence the difference of social status or the natural gifts in men is due to their previous actions. But the exponents of this doctrine do not pause to think that the punishment and the reward should not be awarded blindly, that is, without explaining to the persons concerned the actions for which they are rewarded or punished. It is no justice to punish a man for the sins or crimes of which he is not conscious. A poor man in this world does not know what sins he has committed in the previous life for which he is suffering; hence his punishment does not serve the purpose of reformation. Again, it is against the elementary principles of justice to convict and punish a man without explaining to him for what he is punished.
The fact is that God is not a mere Judge, but He is the Master. He does whatever He thinks fit, and the human reason is inadequate to understand all the mysteries of nature. It is true that there are some reasons for a man’s being blind, or poor, etc., but it is not essential that we must always ascertain those reasons. In some cases, we can ascertain, in others we cannot. From this, however, it does not follow that it is due to the doctrine of rebirth.