Bismillahi Al-Rahmani Al-Rahim
Fear,
Hope, and Love
Ibn Rajab (Allah grant him
mercy) wrote:
- It is known that worship is built
from only three sources: fear, hope, and love. Each one is an
intrinsic duty, and combining the three is an obligatory injunction.
-
Because of this, the Forbears censured whoever devoted oneself to
one while neglecting the other two. [After all,] the innovation of
the Khaw rij and those resembling them came about from emphasizing
fear while avoiding love and hope; the innovation of the Murji'a
[those who believe that m n guarantees the unrepentant safety from
punishment for grave sins] came about from clinging to hope alone
while avoiding fear; and the innovation of many advocates of
freethinking [ib hiya] and divine indwelling [hul l] who ascribe
themselves to devotion came about from singling out love while
avoiding fear and hope.
From Istinsh q Nas m al-Uns Min Nafah t Riy d al-Quds, pp25-26.