How can a person truly and sincerely love God, a love not stemming from fear of punishment? And how can one overcome thoughts that divine bestowal was not by human choice, and that it might lead to a person feeling guilty for being unable to fulfill what is due to God, especially since humanity was created weak and prone to error?

Our relationship with God must be based primarily on love, for He is our Creator and Sustainer, and He loves us more than a mother's compassion for her child. Intellectual doubts and questions about God's existence and His purposes are artificial obstacles that corrupt the innate disposition of love. It is God who created us to worship Him, praise Him, thank Him, and love Him. He is the possessor of absolute benevolence who needs nothing from us. He is closer to us than our own selves, and all our needs are with Him. Ibn al-Qayyim said: "All movements of the upper and lower worlds are subject to will and love." Thus, God is deserving of love, obedience, and worship, for every blessing comes from Him, and every affliction He removes. He conceals our faults, forgives us, and has mercy on us. He loves those who repent and those who persist in supplication.