The Lie That Damages Our Hearts

One of the biggest lies we have been sold is the idea that Allah is always angry with us. That He is ready to punish us before we even do something wrong. That every small mistake, every imperfect action, every moment of forgetfulness automatically places us under His wrath.

For so many of us, this lie has shaped our entire relationship with Allah.

We grew up believing that Allah is strict, harsh, easily displeased and constantly watching us with the intention to catch us out. So we walk through life with fear sitting on our chests, shame wrapped tightly around our hearts and guilt stifling every attempt to come close to Him.

And because of this, even when we do something pleasing to Allah, it does not feel good enough.

We pray, but feel He will not accept it.

We repent, but fear He will reject us.

We give charity, but wonder if our intention was pure enough.

We try to become better, but assume Allah is still angry.

We live in constant self punishment, not because Allah asked us to, but because of the beliefs we were raised with.

But this idea of Allah is not from Allah Himself.

This is not who Allah is.

This is not how the Qur’ān describes Him.

This is not the Allah that the Prophet ﷺ taught us to love.

This is a cultural myth, a misconception passed down through households and communities where fear was used to control, not uplift.

Who Told You Allah Is Like This?

Allah never told us:

“You are not worthy unless you are perfect.”

“You are burdened until you break.”

“I will punish you for every flaw.”

On the contrary, Allah says:

“My mercy encompasses all things.” (7:156)

Not some things.

Not only perfect people.

Not only certain actions.

All things.

Allah also says:

“Allah does not burden a soul beyond what it can bear.” (2:286)

If Allah Himself refuses to overburden you, why do you think He is waiting to punish you for every little slip?

And another reminder:

“Your Lord has declared: Call upon Me and I will respond to you.” (40:60)

A Lord who calls you, who invites you, who promises a response is not a Lord waiting to punish you.

The Prophet ﷺ Taught Us a Completely Different Allah

If Allah was truly always angry, Rasulullah ﷺ would have taught us to fear Him constantly. Instead, he said:

“Allah’s mercy prevails over His anger.”

(Sahih Bukhari)

And in another hadith:

“Allah is more merciful to His servant than a mother is to her child.”

(Sahih Muslim)

A mother does not look at her child waiting to punish them. A mother notices their mistakes but with compassion. She guides, protects, forgives, embraces, reassures and loves.

Multiply that mercy beyond measure and you get Allah.

Why This Lie Is So Dangerous

When we internalise the belief that Allah is harsh, we become spiritually paralysed. We stop growing. We stop approaching Him. We stop asking. We stop hoping.

And Shaytaan loves this.

Shaytaan cannot make you worship him.

He cannot easily make you fall into major sin.

But he can destroy your connection with Allah simply by distorting who you think Allah is.

If Shaytaan can make you fear Allah instead of love Him,

doubt Allah instead of trust Him,

run away from Allah instead of run to Him,

then your iman weakens without him needing to do much.

Fear becomes your default.

Guilt becomes your identity.

Your heart never feels safe with Allah.

This is the opposite of tawakkul.

The Reality: Allah Is Not Waiting to Punish You

Allah is waiting to forgive you.

Waiting to help you.

Waiting to raise you.

Waiting to embrace every small step you make.

Look at this hadith:

“When My servant comes to Me walking, I go to him running.”

(Sahih Bukhari)

Who runs to who?

Allah runs to you.

Not the other way around.

And another:

“Allah stretches out His hand during the night to forgive the one who sinned during the day, and during the day to forgive the one who sinned during the night.”

(Sahih Muslim)

This is not the behaviour of a Lord eager to punish.

This is the behaviour of a Lord who wants to bring you close.

A Relatable Example

Imagine a student who has always been terrified of her teacher.

She was told from a young age that he is strict, easily disappointed and always watching to see where she slips. So every time she writes a test, she panics. Even when she knows the work, her hands shake. She never raises her hand, even when she knows the right answer. She hides her mistakes and never asks questions because she believes she will be scolded.

Her fear does not come from the teacher.

It comes from what others told her about him.

One day she finally meets him properly.

She asks a simple question, and instead of anger, he answers gently.

She makes a mistake, and instead of shouting, he guides her patiently.

She hands in work that is not perfect, and instead of marking it harshly, he praises her effort and shows her how to improve.

Suddenly she realises that the teacher she built in her mind was not real.

Her fear was never from him.

It was from the people who misrepresented him.

Now she feels safe to ask, safe to learn, safe to grow.

She does not need to be perfect; she only needs to try.

And the more she gets to know him, the more her fear turns into trust.

This is exactly what happens when you finally learn who Allah is.

If You Want To Strengthen Your Imaan, Start Here

Do not start with perfection.

Do not start with long lists of rules.

Do not start by expecting yourself to be flawless.

Start with knowing Allah.

When you understand His mercy, everything becomes easier.

When you understand His gentleness, your heart softens.

When you understand His forgiveness, you stop drowning in guilt.

When you understand His love, your tawakkul grows naturally.

You were never meant to live in panic and fear.

You were never meant to feel unworthy.

You were never meant to carry shame that Allah never placed on you.

Allah is not like the people who have hurt you.

Allah is not like the culture that scared you.

Allah is not like the upbringing that made you feel small.

Allah is the One who says:

“Do not despair of the mercy of Allah.” (39:53)

You are worthy of Him.

You always were.

You always will be.

And the moment you drop the lie and return to the truth of who He is, your entire relationship with Allah transforms.

Your heart breathes again.

Your faith feels safe again.

Your soul begins to heal again.

Because Allah was never waiting to punish you.

He was always waiting to welcome you.