The Bowl of Saki Commentary

Prayer, no matter how selfish it may seem, begins with a petition to a higher power. It admits the limitation of self, and so the Sufi recognizes good in every form of prayer. One also sees the childishness of some forms but regards the devotee as a child rather than as a sinner. In this way God looks upon such prayer. Divine forgiveness is unfathomable for it is God's Nature to forgive. What prevents humanity from receiving this forgiveness is that every sin—in fact every act—makes its mark upon mind. Until one repents, that mark remains on the mind. Repentance is the sign of the awakening of the heart; it is the blood of the penitent which is called the blood of the Lamb in Christian terminology, which removes the thought-mark from the mind.

Sufis call this process "unlearning" when applied to acts or knowledge having no moral quality and "penitence" when applied to acts or knowledge having some moral significance. It is the awakening of heart which removes sins and burdens. Consequently there is no forgiveness without repentance; even God cannot touch the unrepentant until given the opportunity. At least so the Universe operates. While the love of God is beyond analysis, it always produces a maximum of harmony and beauty in life.