Threats of punishment in the Glorious Quran

The standard complaint by many non-Muslim groups is that the punishments stated in the Quran are "very harsh" or "how can a merciful God allow His creatures to burn in hell?" Some have gone to the extent of calling the Quranic mention of Hellfire as "spiteful" and "revengeful." Such folks feel disturbed reading the description of Hellfire and the clear message that disbelievers will be repaid with Hell.

It's necessary to be honest and forthright with the approach of these critics who are living in a state of deception. I'm not angry, so don't misunderstand me. I only need to be frank otherwise I will not be able to convey my meaning nor will the readers be able to understand me.

The Glorious Quran, while giving descriptions of Hellfire as the final destination of disbelievers, is neither being "spiteful" nor "revengeful." The Quran is only being truthful (which it always is) by conveying an information which is real. The truthfulness of the Noble Quran makes it the most genuine Book of Mercy. People have the right to know the truth about something as vital as their ultimate fate.

Non-Muslims are generally looking for the easy way out. They seldom take the trouble to devote themselves to God Almighty nor do they try to understand Him nor reach out to Him. Yet when they think of the Hereafter, they desire to contemplate about their fate in the sweetest of terms. To paraphrase this concept which Allah has highlighted in the Quran .. there are many among humankind who transgress throughout their lives and yet eventually expect to be equated with pious believers who have adhered to righteousness and good conduct. Bad is the sense of judgment of such folks.

Divine Justice is too flawless to have the kind of system most transgressors would like to see. Those who have strengthened their Faith through their own efforts and made themselves worthy of His guidance can NEVER be equal with those who have walked on a different path. Thus, their final Judgment and fate can never be the same either. This is a simple matter to understand involving plain common sense and fairness. If a disobedieant slave of Allah is eventually put in the same category of forgivness and Heavenly rewards as a believing and obedient slave of His, would that be fair for the believing slave? The answer is definitely NO. And I repeat, Divine Justice is too perfect to overlook such errors.

The "modern" secular lifestyle has shunned the remembrance of God Almighty by separating it from practical life. This bizarre approach has undeniably degraded the human soul in plenty of ways. Most non-Muslims are themselves aware of how selectively they follow their faith. They know of the bulk of negative interpolations they have brought in to suit their needs and convenience, resulting in a thoroughly contradictory system lacking in balance. Yet they won't make the necessary corrections, the reason being a combination of lethargy and pride. Apparently the sacrifices involved in returning to the Truth by purging falsehood feels too cumbersome. The Truth within the Glorious Quran rattles them and their own violations scare them, none of which their ego allows them to acknowldege. The only response is defensive behaviour, lashing out with anger and cynicism.

Many of such ones comfort themselves by creating their own imaginary state of bliss in the Afterlife. According to this deceptive wishful thinking, every trangressor is on denial about the punishment in the Hereafter and forces himself / herself to think that no matter what they might have done in this world, the Hereafter for them will be nothing beyond forgivness and comfort in Paradise. Whether through ignorance or stubbornness, it's astonishing how anyone can be so complacent about the brazen imbalancement and inconsistencies of their ideas.

Christianity very conveniently ignores the existence of Hell altogether. It may sometimes present the concept of punishment as a very 'temproary state of mind.' Most Christian preachers don't even consider it polite to talk of the punishment of Hell nor the Day of Judgment. The impression they convey is that the infinite mercy of God will eventually lead all good and bad creatures into an eternally blissful state in Paradise. Their only pre-requisite is to love Jesus.

Needless to say, as Muslims who read and understand the Glorious Quran rationally, realistically and lovingly, we can never reconcile to such constructions of fantasy.

Indeed, Hellfire is a frightening place and the very thought of it is alarming. On the contrary, Paradise is the loveliest spot and everyone yearns for it. But one has to work to avoid the former and acquire the latter.

"Doth every man among them hope to enter the Garden of Delight ?" (Glorious Quran -70:38)

Last but not least, none of the critics are even vaguely aware that the compassion of Allah for His slaves far surpasses His wrath. Allah states in the Glorious Quran that the reward for righteousness will be several times greater than the good deeds of those who have earned it, while the sinful will be punished only for the sins they committed.

"Whoso bringeth a good deed will receive tenfold the like thereof, while whoso bringeth an ill-deed will be awarded but the like thereof; and they will not be wronged." (Glorious Quran - 6:160)

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