Should we love Allah or fear Him?

The Details of the Question

- Is Allah love or fright? - Why do some imams in the religion of Islam always suggest people the fear of Allah? - Why is the Qur’an not a book of mostly love?

The Answer

Dear Brother / Sister,

In the religion of Islam, love and fear of Allah are proportional.

A believer who fears the torture of Allah takes refuge in His compassion just like a child who fears his mother’s slap and takes shelter in her compassionate bosom. Allah states in the Qur’an that He will torment people regarding some issues. It is in order to make them gain high positions and enter Paradise and avoid committing forbidden deeds. It is exactly like the attitude of a father who, for the sake of his child and his future, arranges a convenient place for his child who does not study in order to make him study and in order that his child will not become miserable in the future who scolds and scares his child and if necessary slaps his child who is addicted to playing during his child’s upbringing period...

Besides, Allah informs Muslims after those torture verses that He is extremely forgiving and merciful and those who repent and correct their behaviors will be exceptional from this threat in order that they will not fall into despair.

Here are some verses concerning the issue:

“That Allah may reward the men of Truth, for their Truth and punish the Hypocrites if that be His Will, or turn to them in Mercy: for Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.” (al-Ahzab, 33/24)

“(With the result) that Allah has to punish the Hypocrites, men and women, and the Unbelievers, men and women, and Allah turns in Mercy to the Believers, men and women: for Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.” (al-Ahzab, 33/73)

“Allah will not call you to account for thoughtlessness in your oaths, but for the intention in your hearts; and He is Oft-Forgiving Most Forbearing.” (al-Baqarah, 2/225)

“In that will they dwell; nor will their penalty be lightened, nor respite be their (lot). Except for those that repent (even) after that and make amends: for verily Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.”  (Aal-e-Imran, 3/88-89)

“(But) the Penalty on the Day of Judgment will be doubled to him, and he will dwell therein in ignominy― Unless he repents, believes, and works righteous deeds, for Allah will change the evil of such persons into good and Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.” (al-Furqan, 25/69-70)

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