What do I say when a child fears Allah only as punishment, not mercy? 

Parenting Perspective 

Some children, especially when they are first learning about rules and consequences, may begin to think of Allah Almighty only in terms of being harsh or punishing. While a sense of reverence and an awareness of accountability are important parts of faith, a one-sided view can cause a child to feel fear rather than love. Parents can guide their children to see Allah as both Just and Merciful, teaching them that His mercy always outweighs His anger. 

Acknowledge Their Fear While Gently Reframing It 

If your child says something like, ‘Allah is going to punish me,’ it is best to respond gently. You could say, ‘Allah does see everything we do, but He also loves you more than anyone else in the world. He wants to guide you back to what is right, not just to punish you.’ This approach validates their feeling while reframing the concept, which can prevent your child from shutting down the conversation. 

Emphasise Allah’s Mercy and Compassion 

Remind your child that every Surah in the Quran, except for one, begins with the beautiful phrase, ‘Bismillahir Rahmanir Raheem’. This means that Allah introduces Himself to us first and foremost as the Most Merciful and the Most Compassionate. You can share with them, ‘Allah wants you to know about His mercy before anything else.’ 

Share Stories of Forgiveness and Hope 

Tell them stories of people from the Quran and the Seerah who made mistakes but were forgiven by Allah because they turned back to Him with sincere repentance. This shows them that the doors of Allah’s mercy are always open, teaching them that their mistakes do not have to define them. 

By carefully balancing the concept of divine justice with that of divine mercy, parents can help their children to form a loving and hopeful relationship with Allah Almighty, one that is rooted in trust rather than in fear alone. 

Spiritual Insight 

The primary message of Islam is one of hope, mercy, and forgiveness. The Quran and the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ consistently emphasise that the mercy of Allah is a vast and endless ocean that encompasses all things. 

The Divine Promise of Overwhelming Mercy 

Allah Almighty states in the noble Quran at Surah Al Zumar (39), Verse 53: 

‘Say (O Prophet Muhammad ﷺ): “O my servants, those of you who have transgressed against yourselves (by committing sin); do not lose hope in the mercy of Allah (Almighty); indeed, Allah (Almighty) shall forgive the entirety of your sins; indeed, He is the Most Forgiving and the Most Merciful”.’ 

This verse serves as a powerful reminder that no matter what mistakes a person may have made, they should never despair, for the mercy of Allah is far greater than any sin. 

The Prophetic Teaching on God’s Mercy 

It is recorded in Sahih Bukhari, Hadith 7404, that the holy Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said: 

‘When Allah completed creation, He wrote in His Book with Him: “My mercy prevails over My anger.”’ 

This profound hadith teaches us that Allah Almighty wants believers to know His mercy first and foremost, even as they remain mindful of His perfect justice. 

By teaching their children these essential truths, parents can nurture a balanced and beautiful image of Allah Almighty in their hearts, one who is firm in justice but overflowing in mercy. This helps children to grow in their faith with love, hope, and a healthy sense of responsibility, rather than with a crippling or immobilising fear.