These attributes are manifested in both worlds - the world of creation andlegislation. We have clemency in the world of legislation through our rituals ofworship and transactions. At the same time we feel some type of asperity andseverity through the application of retaliation and punishment
This matter is quite clear to everyone - no one can deny it - no matter whohe may be and what he knows about Islam. However, we still find some simpleminded and ignorant individuals, who are guided by their desires and satanicwhispers, that do not believe in these facts, which shine as bright as the sun. Inorder to clear up any obscurities, I would like to explain some points, as follows: It is necessary to use severity in the management of some cases so thatjustice, security and peace may be established; and also to stop those individualswho break the law. This is exactly what the Holy Quran, the prophetic traditions,and logical reasonig teach us
Vast historical experiences, ranging out over different times and indifferent places, have shown us that there exists a group of individuals who donot listen to the call of the intellect, nor do they follow the teachings of thosewho have been sent to guide them and to show them the right way. Thus, leaderswere forced, in some circumstances, to use the element of legal severity in orderto neutralize the danger of such savage individuals - especially when the use ofclemency and advice becomes useless, and leaving the situation as it is shall leadthose individuals toward extremism and the violation of the limits of theirfreedom. At the same time, they may put other souls and other people'sproperties in certain danger. And, unfortunately, all this might happen at a timewhen the Islamic government promises and swears to protect the lives of thecitizens - allowing them to live in peace. It is certain that the government's lastlegal system used to control all types of riots and violence, when it fails to treatgangs, which do not understand anything except the language of force, withclemency, the government results to more forceful tactics
This very behavior isexactly what Allah Himself ordered His Holy Prophet (s.w.) to use against thepolytheists and hypocrites:"O Prophet! strive hard against the unbelievers andthe hypocrites and be unyielding to them; and their abode is hell, and evil is thedestination" [IX:73]
In another verse, He , the Exalted, said,"If the hypocrites and those inwhose hearts is a disease and the agitators in the city do not desist, We shallmost certainly set you over them, then they shall not be your neighbors in it butfor a little while; Cursed: wherever they are found shall be seized and murdered,a (horrible) murdering" [XXXIII:60-61]. Now, shall we consider these hypocritesand unbelievers, sincere disciples? Imam Ali(a.s.) said,"The Holy Prophet(s.w.)told us to frown when we meet the evil-doers." Moreover, every Muslim, manand woman, must know that treating the wicked with clemency is openoppression to every citizen in the society, including the wicked themselves. Wemust thank God for all the honest citizens who support their government andstand with it, as they have done before, applying the rule mentioned in the holyverse: "Muhammad is the Apostle of Allah, and those with him are firm of heartagainst the unbelievers, compassionate among themselves" [XLVIII:29]. Thus, Ido not know where those who pretend that using severity is unacceptable (inIslam) got their evidence from? What shall be said to this group on thedoomsday, when they shall stand before their Lord? What kind of plea will theybring to argue with the Book of Allah and the sunnah of His Holy Prophet(s.w.)?