translated as meaning sin; but dhanb also is a word with a very wide significance.24 It is as much applicable to sins due to perversity as to shortcomings resulting from inadvertence. In respect of the latter, there is a vast difference between the righteous man and the sinner. A righteous man, without in the least departing from the course of righteousness, would always feel that he had fallen short in doing some good to humanity or in doing his duty to God; and thus, even though he is engaged in doing good, he feels that there is something lacking in him. Between the shortcoming of such a one and that of the sinner is a world of difference. The sinner’s shortcoming or dhanb is that he has set himself against the will of God deliberately and done evil, while the righteous man’s shortcoming lies in the fact that he is not satisfied that he has done all the good that it was in his power to do.

Khaṭā’

Another word which requires to be explained in this connection is khaṭ’a or khaṭā’. This word too has a wide significance and covers all unintended actions and mistakes and errors of judgment.25 Its mention, therefore, in connection with a prophet, does not imply sinfulness.

Individual cases: Noah and Abraham

Christian criticism of Islām has been particularly directed against the doctrine of the sinlessness of the prophets, and this, as already pointed out, is due to the Christian doctrine of Atonement which falls ipso facto the moment any one else is regarded as sharing with Jesus Christ the honour of sinlessness. This criticism is, however, based, not on any principle enunciated in the Holy Qur’ān, for it is there stated in clear words that all prophets of God are faithful, both in word and deed, to the Divine commandments, but on certain cases of individual prophets. Most of this misdirected criticism is due to a wrong conception of the four words explained above, viz., ghafr, istighfār, dhanb and khaṭā’. For example, it is said that Noah was a sinner because he prayed to God, saying: “My Lord! I seek refuge in Thee from asking Thee that of which I have no knowledge. And unless Thou forgive (taghfir) me and have mercy on me, I shall be of the losers” (11:47).