Fear and Hope

Imam Birgivi mentions in his book, “The Path of Muhammed”, that majority of the legalists say that fear should supersede hope and mentions Rabi’ah Al-Adawiyyah’s story:

“Someone asked Saint Rabi’ah al-Adawiyyah,”What do you count on in your hope to receive Allah’s favors?” She answered,”On my doubt of the value of any of my actions undertaken for His sake.”

Imam Birgivi believes that fear or hope of His Compassion depends on the individual’s circumstances. For beginningers fear is better, since they might have traces of egotism, pride, and self-satisfaction in themselves. “For the faitful who have studied and know right from wrong, and who are sincere in their attempts to do right, fear and hope of Allah are best”