Should one be a Muslim because of love for Allah or fear for Allah?
The question of whether one should be a Muslim out of love for Allah or fear of Allah is addressed in both the Qur'an and various hadith.
In the Qur'an, it is emphasized that true believers are those who do not associate partners with Allah, reflecting a sincere devotion that stems from both love and fear. The verse states: And those who ascribe not partners unto their Lord,
23:59. This highlights the importance of monotheism, which is central to a believer's relationship with Allah.
Furthermore, the concept of worship and its motivations is discussed in hadith. In Al-Kafi, it is noted that there are different types of worshippers: There are three types of worshippers: a people who worship Allah, the Almighty and Glorious, out of fear — that is the worship of slaves; a people who worship Allah, the Blessed and Exalted, seeking reward — that is the worship of salaried servants; and a people who worship Allah, the Almighty and Glorious, out of love for Him — that is the worship of free people, and it is the best form of worship.
Al-Kafi 1:224. This narration indicates that while fear and desire for reward are valid motivations, the highest form of worship is that which arises from love for Allah.
In conclusion, both love and fear have their places in the heart of a believer, but the ideal is to worship Allah out of love, as this represents the most profound and free expression of devotion.
Sources
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23:59 · Al-Muminoon
23:59 · Muhammad Marmaduke Pickthall
وَٱلَّذِينَ هُم بِرَبِّهِمْ لَا يُشْرِكُونَ
And those who ascribe not partners unto their Lord,
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Al-Kafi 1:224
Al-Kafi · Book 1, Hadith 224
There are three types of worshippers: a people who worship Allah, the Almighty and Glorious, out of fear — that is the worship of slaves; a people who worship Allah, the Blessed and Exalted, seeking reward — that is the worship of salaried servants; and a people who worship Allah, the Almighty and Glorious, out of love for Him — that is the worship of free people, and it is the best form of worship. — OR — I asked about a man who has intercourse with a woman below the private parts and the woman discharges. He said: Yes, ghusl is obligatory on her. — OR — Often the poor are more extravagant than the rich. The rich spend from what they have been given, but the poor spend beyond what they possess. — OR — I asked about a man who had dinars with me and was ill. He said: If anything happens to me, give twenty dinars to so-and-so, and the remainder of the dinars to my brother. He died without me witnessing his death. Then a truthful Muslim man came and told me: He ordered me to tell you to look at the dinars you were to give to his brother, and to give ten dinars in charity distributing them among the Muslims. His brother did not know he had funds with me. He said: I think it better that ten dinars be given in charity as he said. — OR — I entered upon Abu al-Hasan (peace be upon him) while he was cupping himself on Wednesday during imprisonment. I said, 'People say that whoever was cupped that day will develop leprosy.' He said, 'That fear is only for the one whose mother was in her menstrual period when she carried him.'
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