World Peace

THE WRATH

What is God’s Wrath in the Qur’an, Bible and Torah (exclude Hadith)?

GoogleAI Mode: “In the Qur’an, Bible, and Torah, God’s wrath is primarily depicted as a holy and measured response to human sin, rather than an impulsive emotional outburst. While each text emphasizes different nuances, a central theme is that wrath is a function of God’s justice and holiness. 

The Torah (First Five Books of the Bible)

In the Torah, God’s wrath is often framed as “judicial” or “covenantal”. 

A Reaction to Law-Breaking: Wrath is typically provoked when the Israelites violate their covenant with God, such as the Golden Calf incident (Exodus 32) or repeated grumbling in the desert.

Measured and Slow: Though intense, God is described as “slow to anger” (Exodus 34:6).

Transitory: In the Torah and broader Hebrew Bible (Tanakh), God’s wrath is often depicted as temporary, meant to lead people back to repentance, while His mercy is permanent.

Physical Manifestations: It may manifest as plagues, defeats in battle, or natural disasters. 

The Bible (Old and New Testaments)

The Bible expands the concept of wrath from historical discipline to an ultimate, final judgment. 

Righteous Justice: Both testaments agree that wrath is God’s settled opposition to evil.

Divine Abandonment: In the New Testament, wrath is sometimes described as God “giving people up” to their own sinful desires, allowing them to face the natural consequences of their choices (Romans 1).

The “Wrath to Come”: Later biblical texts, especially Revelation, use vivid apocalyptic imagery—such as the “seven bowls of wrath” and the “winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God”—to describe final judgment against those who reject God. 

The Qur’an (Excluding Hadith)

The Qur’an presents God’s wrath (Arabic: ghadab) as a serious consequence for those who deliberately reject His signs or oppress others. 

Against Disbelief and Arrogance: Wrath is frequently directed at those who “open their breasts to disbelief” after having faith (16:106) or those who treat God’s revelations with mockery.

Historical Examples: The Qur’an cites past nations (such as the people of Pharaoh or those who worshipped the Golden Calf) as having incurred God’s wrath due to their persistent disobedience and pride.

Delay of Punishment: God is described as delaying His punishment to give sinners time to repent, but those who persist will face a “grievous chastisement” on a day when “eyes will stare in horror” (14:42).

The “Avenger”: God is sometimes referred to as Dhu intiqam (“The Avenger”) in the context of upholding justice against wrongdoers.”

THE MERCY AND LOVE

In the Qur’an, Bible and Torah, what is God’s mercy and love? (exclude Hadith)?

GoogleAI Mode: “In the Qur’an, Bible, and Torah, God’s mercy and love are presented as foundational divine attributes, though the scriptures emphasize different aspects of how these qualities are expressed and received. 

The Torah

In the Torah, God’s mercy and love are often linked to His covenantal faithfulness (Chesed). 

The 13 Attributes of Mercy: After the Golden Calf incident, God revealed His character to Moses as “compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in kindness (chesed) and truth” (Exodus 34:6).

Love as Action: Love in the Torah is frequently described as a behavior or a commitment rather than just an emotion. God’s love for Israel is the reason for their redemption from Egypt, despite their failings (Deut. 7:8).

Boundaries as Love: Jewish theology often views the giving of the Law (Torah) itself as an act of love, providing guidance to help humanity refine their behavior and live justly. 

The Bible (Old and New Testaments)

The Bible expands on these themes, particularly emphasizing God’s unconditional and self-sacrificial love. 

God is Love: The New Testament explicitly states that “God is love” (1 John 4:8), identifying love as His defining essence.

Grace and Mercy: Mercy is often defined as God withholding the judgment that is deserved, while grace is giving the favor that is not earned. A central theme is that God’s mercy “triumphs over judgment” (James 2:13).

The Ultimate Sacrifice: God’s love is demonstrated through action, most notably in John 3:16, which states that God loved the world so much that He gave His Son for the salvation of others.

Relational Mercy: New Testament parables, such as the Prodigal Son (Luke 15), depict God as a father who eagerly waits to embrace and restore a repentant child. 

The Qur’an (Excluding Hadith) 

In the Qur’an, God’s mercy (Rahmah) is described as all-encompassing, though His specialized love (Hubb) is often tied to human response. 

The Most Merciful: Every chapter of the Qur’an (except one) begins with “In the name of God, the Lord of Mercy, the Giver of Mercy” (Ar-Rahman, Ar-Raheem). God states, “My mercy encompasses all things” (7:156).

Mercy and Justice: The Qur’an often pairs mercy with God’s role as a Just Judge. While His mercy is vast, it is frequently described as “near to the doers of good” (7:56) and ordained for those who believe and act righteously.

Invitational Mercy: God is described as the “Oft-Forgiving,” repeatedly inviting sinners to repent and not despair of His mercy: “O My servants who have transgressed against themselves, do not despair of the mercy of Allah” (39:53).

Conditional Love (Hubb): While God’s mercy is for all, the Qur’an uses different terms for love. It states that “God loves the just” (60:8) and “loves those who put their trust in Him” (3:159), but specifies that He “does not love the arrogant” (31:18).”

What is God’s Love and Mercy in the Torah, Bible and Qur’an (exclude Hadith)?

GoogleAI Mode: “In 2026, religious scholarship continues to highlight both shared themes and distinct nuances in how God’s love and mercy are presented across these scriptures. 

God’s Love and Mercy in the Torah

The Torah presents God’s mercy as an essential part of His eternal nature, often tied to covenantal faithfulness (hesed) and compassion (rachamim). 

The Thirteen Attributes of Mercy: Found in Exodus 34:6-7, this passage is central to Jewish theology, describing God as “merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness”.

Covenantal Love: God’s love is shown through His redemption of the Israelites and His commitment to them despite their failings, such as the Golden Calf incident.

Commandments as Love: Observance of the Torah is seen as an expression of love for God. The “Shema” (Deuteronomy 6:5) commands loving God with all one’s heart, soul, and might.

Love for Others: Mercy is practiced through following laws like “love your neighbor as yourself” (Leviticus 19:18) and caring for the stranger and animals. 

God’s Love and Mercy in the Bible (New Testament)

The Bible expands on these themes, emphasizing a personal, sacrificial, and unconditional love. 

God is Love: 1 John 4:8 explicitly states that “God is love,” defining love as His very essence.

The Supreme Sacrifice: God’s mercy and love are most clearly demonstrated by sending Jesus Christ to die for humanity’s sins (John 3:16, Romans 5:8).

Rich in Mercy: Ephesians 2:4-5 describes God as “rich in mercy” because of His great love, even when humanity was “dead in trespasses”.

Mercy over Sacrifice: Jesus teaches that God desires “mercy, and not sacrifice,” highlighting that compassionate actions toward others are more vital than mere ritual (Matthew 9:13). 

God’s Love and Mercy in the Qur’an

The Qur’an emphasizes God’s absolute sovereignty alongside His boundless mercy, which is described as encompassing all things. 

The Most Merciful: Every chapter of the Qur’an (except one) begins with the Basmalah: “In the name of God, the Entirely Merciful, the Especially Merciful” (Ar-Rahman, Ar-Raheem).

Universal Mercy (Rahma): God has prescribed mercy for Himself (Qur’an 6:12). His mercy encompasses everything and everyone, provided through life, sustenance, and the sending of messengers.

Reciprocal Love (Hub): While God’s mercy is universal, His specific “love” (hub) is often described as conditional upon righteousness. The Qur’an states God loves the just, the patient, and those who trust Him (Qur’an 3:159), but does not love the arrogant or transgressors.

The Loving (Al-Wadood): One of God’s names is Al-Wadood (“The Most Loving”), appearing in verses such as Qur’an 85:14 alongside His forgiving nature.

Mercy to the Worlds: The Prophet Muhammad is described as a “mercy to the worlds” (Qur’an 21:107), making his guidance a primary manifestation of God’s love.”