Why are some believers strict and gloomy?

The question you've posed is profoundly insightful, touching upon a significant aspect of understanding and experiencing faith. At first glance, observing certain behaviors from some believers might lead to the impression that true faith necessitates strictness and gloominess. However, if we delve into the authentic teachings of the Holy Quran and the tradition of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), we discover that the true depiction of a genuine believer not only contradicts gloominess and rigidity but profoundly emphasizes characteristics such as mercy, kindness, moderation, hope, and cheerfulness. The Quran describes Islam as a religion of fitrah (innate disposition), ease (yusr), and simplicity, not one of hardship (usr) or difficulty. Allah Almighty introduces Himself with attributes like 'Ar-Rahman' and 'Ar-Rahim' (The Most Gracious, The Most Merciful) and commands believers to reflect His attributes. This implies that a true believer should be a mirror reflecting divine mercy, not belligerence or grimness. A look at the Quranic verses reveals that the purpose of the Prophets' missions was to guide humanity towards happiness and tranquility, not to impose heavy and unbearable burdens upon them. Indeed, the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), who is the perfect role model for believers, is described in Surah Al-Imran, verse 159, as follows: 'So by a mercy from Allah, [O Muhammad], you were lenient with them. And if you had been rude [in speech] and harsh in heart, they would have disbanded from about you.' This verse clearly indicates that even in leadership and guiding people, gentleness and kindness are paramount, not harshness or strictness. This gentleness and tenderness are manifest not only in interactions with others but also in one's outlook on life and acts of worship. Perhaps the roots of this misconception or the emergence of strict behaviors in some believers can be traced to various factors that do not necessarily stem from the Quran itself. One of the most significant reasons could be a misinterpretation of religious teachings. Some individuals, instead of focusing on the balanced and comprehensive aspects of religion, concentrate only on one or a few specific aspects, such as rulings and prohibitions, neglecting other dimensions like divine mercy, love, hope, and the ease of religion. This one-sided perspective can lead to a rigid and dry outlook, ultimately presenting a gloomy image of religion and its adherents. This is despite the Quran's constant emphasis on balance and moderation (wasatiyyah), as stated in Surah Al-Baqarah, verse 143: 'And thus We have made you a moderate community...' A moderate community is one that neither goes to extremes nor falls short, maintaining equilibrium in all aspects of life. Another factor that can contribute to this phenomenon is despair and hopelessness from divine mercy. The Quran strongly forbids despairing of Allah's mercy, stating in Surah Az-Zumar, verse 53: 'Say, 'O My servants who have transgressed against themselves [by sinning], do not despair of the mercy of Allah. Indeed, Allah forgives all sins. Indeed, it is He who is the Forgiving, the Merciful.'' A believer who truly believes in the greatness of divine mercy is always hopeful and cheerful, and this hope is reflected in their behavior and countenance. Gloominess and strictness are often signs of neglecting this crucial aspect of mercy and forgiveness. Psychological and personal factors can also play a role in the manifestation of these behaviors. Sometimes, personal problems, social pressures, or even an inability to manage emotions can cause an individual, even in their apparent religiosity, to display tension and bitterness instead of peace. These issues should not be attributed to religion itself but rather stem from individual characteristics and an inability to integrate the spiritual and ethical teachings of religion into daily life. Islam, with its directives such as maintaining family ties, being kind to parents, helping the needy, and interacting well with people, consistently emphasizes the social and humanitarian dimensions. These healthy, love-based interactions certainly leave no room for unwarranted gloominess and strictness. A true believer should be a source of peace and security for those around them, not a source of fear and anxiety. Furthermore, sometimes strictness in religion stems from a form of unconscious pride and self-righteousness, where an individual sees themselves as superior to others and looks down upon the mistakes and shortcomings of others. While the Quran strongly condemns arrogance and pride, it considers humility and modesty among the characteristics of true believers. In summary, what makes some believers appear strict or gloomy does not originate from the authentic and sublime teachings of the Quran but is primarily due to misunderstandings, incomplete personal experiences, external pressures, or personal characteristics. Islam is a religion of mercy, ease, and moderation, and a true believer should reflect these divine attributes, bringing forth kindness and good will to society with an open countenance, a compassionate heart, and a spirit full of hope. Therefore, it is our duty to portray the true face of Islam by acting upon the merciful and moderate teachings of the Quran and to avoid any undue strictness and gloominess that is inconsistent with the spirit of religion, so that the beauty of this divine path may be truly understood.