Theme of Consequence of Sinful Life in Scriptures and Classic Literary Works

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The Theme of Consequence of Sinful Life: Literary Analysis of Scriptures and Classic Literary Works
Throughout the history of theology and literature, valuable works have been produced either in the form of divine revelation or triggered by religious inspiration. The holy books of two of the most prominent religions of the world: Islam and Christianity, have been regarded as universal doctrines regarding living a pious life and obtaining eternal salvation. One of the most prominent elements or themes that one can trace in these holy scriptures: The Bible and The Quran, is the admonition against living a hedonistic and sinful life. In this regard, several literary works are based on this theme as they reveal graphic details of perpetual agony and sufferings of the sinful in the life hereafter; thereby, they preach abstinence from lustful and worldly desires to attain piety. Therefore, this essay explores the commonality of these themes in the Bible and the Quran and relates this theme to classical works of literature, including Divine Comedy, St. Augustin’s Confessions, and Lysistrata.
As the theme of hazards of living a hedonistic life is concerned, the Quran reveals in several places the horrific description of the torments being meted out to the sinners and transgressors. For instance, in verse 31 of Chapter 4, Allah pleases the believers for not committing sins in the following way: “If you avoid the great sins which you are forbidden to do, We shall remit from you your (small) sins, and admit you to a Noble Entrance.” This verse explicitly explains the extent of emphasis the Quran lays on living a pious, sin-free life and gives the believers the good news of an eternal home in Paradise as remuneration for their sacrifices in worldly life. Moreover, on numerous other occasions, the Quran provides a glimpse of the torments, torture, and sufferings of the people who lived luxurious lustful life.
On one occasion, the Quran, by elaborating on the theme of aftereffects of living a sinful life, warns the sinners of the unbearable consequences of their actions as the following verse indicates: “Corruption has appeared throughout the land and sea by [reason of] what the hands of people have earned so He may let them taste part of [the consequence of] what they have done” (Chapter 30 verse 41). This verse contains a stern and fateful message to call sinners to either mend their ways or be prepared to face the eternal torment and torture in hell. These two verses explicitly explain how the Quran explores and elaborates on the consequences of living a sinful life.
Similarly, several verses manifest the benefits of foregoing sins like adultery, drinking, and sexual promiscuousness in the Bible. In Genesis, the first book of the Bible, the story of Adam and Eve and their committing of the sin they were most forbidden from serves as a foundation for establishing the theme of harm associated with living a sinful life. In the rest of the Bible and the New Testament, on several occasions, God prohibits people from falling prey to Satan by indulging too much in worldly pleasures. This story explains and establishes God’s stance on humans’ way of living as on several occasions in Genesis; God emphasizes living a pious life by giving examples of His favorite nations and person.
For instance, in the first two chapters of Genesis, God not only states His authority over the universe but also explains how humans have rebelled against His authority by getting involved in sins like disobedience to God. The example of Cain’s sacrifice shows how living a life according to the will of God pleases Him, and He bestows His blessings upon humans. In the same way, the story of Noah and the rebellion and disobedience of the people of his nation indicate how Noah’s people indulged in lustful life and refused to acknowledge Noah as a true prophet. Consequently, their rebellious behavior earned God’s wrath, and He inflicted exemplary punishment on them by drowning the whole world and saving Noah and his followers in an ark. In his confessions, St Augustine also gives this reference in his interpre...