Why Do People Follow Religion Out of Fear

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Question:

Why do people follow religion—is it mainly out of fear of hell? - A question from a non-religious Muslim exploring whether faith is motivated mainly by fear of punishment. :::

Answer:

Eeman (Faith) is between Fear & Hope. So if you are afraid of going to hell and hope of going to paradise and this motivates you then it is good.

In Islaam however, no worship is complete without the presence of all three qualities: love of Allah, hope in His Mercy and fear of His Punishment.

“Call upon Him with Fear and Hope.” [ Soorah (7): 56] “Their sides forsake their beds, to invoke their Lord in Fear and Hope.” [(32): 16] Anas R.A reported that the Prophet (salla-allahu alaihe wa-sallam) entered upon a young boy who was dying. The Prophet (salla-allahu alaihe wa-sallam) asked, “How are you?” The boy replied, “O Messenger of Allah, I am in between hoping in Allah and fearing for my sins.” The Prophet (salla-allahu alaihe wa-sallam) said, “The like of these two qualities do not unite in the heart of a servant except that Allah gives him what he hopes for and protects him from what he feared.” Collected in Sunan at-Tirmidhi and Sunan Ibn Majah and authenticated by Sheikh al-Albani in Ahkam al-Janaa’iz (no.2) And the scholars of Islaam say, “He who worships Allah with hope only is a murji’ee. He who worships Him in fear only is a Harooree [Khaarijee]. And He who worships Allah in love only is a Zindeeq [eg. the Soofis, the Christians, etc]. But he who worships Allah in fear, love and hope is a Muwahhid Mu’min [a believer upon Tawheed].” Quoted by Ibn Rajjab in al-Takhweef minan-Naar. With respect to the sins - then this is good that you have realized and if you hasten to seek forgiveness and do sincere repentance Allah will wipe out your sins.

Basically, shaytan wants us to lose hope, and continue in sinful ways so that slowly we become distant with out religion.

Allah commands (what means):

”…And turn to Allah in repentance, all of you, that you might succeed.” [Quran 24:31] Allah also Says (what means): ”…Indeed, Allah loves those who are constantly repentant and loves those who purify themselves.” [Quran 2:222] But whosoever repents after his crime and does righteous good deeds (by obeying Allaah), then verily, Allaah will pardon him (accept his repentance). Verily, Allaah is Oft Forgiving, Most Merciful [al-Maa’idah 5:39] O you who believe! Turn to Allaah with sincere repentance! It may be that your Lord will expiate from you your sins, and admit you into Gardens under which rivers flow (Paradise)” [al-Tahreem 66:8] The gate of repentance is open to His slaves, until the sun rises from the west (day of judgement): The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Allaah spreads out His Hand at night to accept the repentance of those who did wrong during the day, and He spreads out His Hand during the day to accept the repentance of those who did wrong during the night. (This will continue) until the sun rises from the west.” (Narrated by Muslim, no. 2759)