Title: Clarification of the Phrase 'Wrath of God' Question/Comments: In response to the question " The 'Wrath' of God " you wrote: As for God's directive to humans to forgive others, even when they are angry, it relates to the fact that humans can lose their balance in anger. God, on the other hand, never loses His balance. Even when wrathful, God would not subject anyone to a punishment, which is more than what he actually deserved. It seems, after reading the above quotation, that God is an "emotional being". How can a human grasp or comprehend or visualize the nature of God when it is said: "And none is like Him" in Surah Al-Ikhlaas 112:4 i.e. His nature (physical and psychological) can not be imagined in any way. Also in one of your article titled " Is the Qur'an Clear or Incomprehensible? " you wrote: "Thus, the Qur'an has referred to Fire and Boiling Water and the Tree of Zaqqoom to communicate the severity of the punishment in the hereafter and has referred to Fruits and rivers of honey and perfected partners to give an idea of the rewards of the hereafter. All these references are actually to communicate the concept of the reward and punishment that man shall be subjected to in the hereafter and because the human languages do not have words to communicate the reality of these concepts, the Qur'an has, therefore, introduced them by drawing analogy with things, which man is aware of. The concepts communicated through analogous verses, even though they are in pure and clear Arabic, are understandably slightly vague, only conveying the general idea of the concepts thus communicated. The reality and the details of these concepts are known only to God, till the time that man comes face to face with these concepts, on the Day of Judgment." In the same sense, is not the phrase "Wrath of God" used as an analogous to human emotion, to scare the humans of His punishment, instead of depicting the real emotions of God? Thanks. Jazzakallah khairun Nauman Ilyas Pakistan Answer: I agree with you that in the relevant verses the phrase 'wrath' of God is, in fact, used in an allegorical manner and it actually implies the complete implementation of the requirements of God's justice, and a lack of His mercy. It is almost exactly in the foregoing sense that I have written in one of my earlier responses titled " Why does God's Mercy Overpower His Wrath? ": According to the Islamic introduction of God, God is completely clear of all shortcomings, imperfections and faults. Mercy and grace are permanent attributes of God, while being wrathful is not. This implies that God is Merciful of His own accord, whether His subjects deserve His mercy or not. This, however, is not the case with God's wrath; God's wrath is the fate only of those, who, because of their own deeds and behavior, have closed all doors of God's mercy and forgiveness upon themselves. I hope this clarification, combined with the earlier explanation given in my basic response, shall clarify the issue. Regards, Moiz Amjad December 15, 2002