What If I Fear Punishment Rather Than Feel Bad for Hurting Someone?
Answered by Shaykh Abdullah Anik Misra
Question
If I hurt others by my words or am concerned I may hurt someone, I don’t think about that person’s feelings, but instead, I think of what will happen to me on the Day of Judgement (i.e., how I will be punished for hurting others, etc.).
Is this selfish? Will Allah the Almighty be displeased with my thoughts?
Answer
In the Name of Allah, Most Merciful and Compassionate
No, this is not selfish nor displeasing to be concerned about accountability on the Day of Judgement. Our accountability should be our primary concern. And this is why verses and hadiths warn against wronging others by threat of other-worldly consequences – to act as a deterrent.
Therefore, the divine wisdom of warning people about that Day is that they might think twice about doing wrong in this life, especially if their conscience alone does not stop them. Many wrongs would happen without this fear of accountability, so it is divine mercy and a sign of faith to take the warning seriously.
The Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) is reported to have said, “There should be neither causing harm nor reciprocating harm. Whoever harms [others], Allah will harm him, and whoever causes hardship [to others], Allah will cause hardship to him.” [Hakim, Mustadrak]
Of course, it is superior to avoid wronging others simply out of one’s conscience and consideration for others before needing to feel threatened by divine punishment. Still, if this does not come naturally, it can be nurtured gradually by developing empathy for others and the awareness of what is right and wrong through knowledge.
[Shaykh] Abdullah Anik Misra
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Abdul-Rahim Reasat
Shaykh Abdullah Misra was born in Toronto, Canada, in 1983. His family hails from India, and he was raised in the Hindu tradition. He embraced Islam in 2001 while at the University of Toronto, from where he completed a Bachelor of Business Administration. He then traveled overseas in 2005 to study the Arabic language and Islamic sciences in Tarim, Yemen, for some time, as well as Darul Uloom in Trinidad, West Indies. He spent 12 years in Amman, Jordan, where he focused on Islamic Law, Theology, Hadith Sciences, Prophetic Biography, and Islamic Spirituality while also working at the Qasid Arabic Institute as Director of Programs. He holds a BA in Islamic Studies (Alimiyya, Darul Uloom) and authorization in the six authentic books of Hadith and is currently pursuing specialized training in issuing Islamic legal verdicts (ifta’). He holds a certificate in Counselling and often works with new Muslims and those struggling with religious OCD. He is an instructor and researcher in Sacred Law and Theology with the SeekersGuidance The Global Islamic Seminary. Currently, He resides in the Greater Toronto Area with his wife and children. His personal interests include Indian history, comparative religion, English singing, and poetry.
