True Believer
One of the characteristics of a true believer is that a true believer both fears divine punishment and hopes for the mercy and forgiveness of Allah Almighty.
Fear and hope must be together in order to correct our actions and behaviour and bring us to true happiness.
Allah Almighty has considered one of the signs of the true believers to be fear of Allah ‘s punishment and hope for Allah ‘s mercy, and in this regard He says:
(32:16) Their sides forsake their beds, and they call upon their Lord in fear and hope,and expend (in charity) out of the sustenance We have granted them.
Surah As-Sajdah 32:16
In another verse, Allah Almighty praises those who have fear and hope, and compares them to those who follow the deviant path, and says:
(39:9) Is such a person (preferable or he) who is obedient, and prostrates himself in the watches of the night, stands (in Prayer), is fearful of the Hereafter, and looks forward to the mercy of His Lord? Ask them: “Are those who know equal to those who do not know?” Only those endowed with understanding take heed.
Surah Az-Zumar 39:9
If one is only afraid of divine punishment and does not hope for divine mercy, he may be caught in despair of divine mercy and as a result deviate from the path of truth.
Allah Almighty has forbidden despair of divine mercy and says:
(39:53) Tell them, (O Prophet): “My servants who have committed excesses against themselves, do not despair of Allah’s Mercy. Surely Allah forgives all sins. He is Most Forgiving, Most Merciful.
Surah Az-Zumar 39:53
On the other hand, if one hopes only for Allah ‘s mercy and is not afraid of divine punishment, he may commit many sins and deviate from the path of truth.
Therefore, the fear of Allah’s torment and hope for Allah’s mercy must both exist in the believer.
It is narrated in the hadith that Imam Sadeq (AS) said: “Whoever only relies on his deeds (good deeds) will be destroyed and whoever dares to commit sins in the hope of Allah’s mercy will not be saved.
He was asked, “Then who will be saved?” The Imam said: Those who are in a state of fear and hope.”
(Mizan al-Hikma, vol. 4, p. 179)
