How Can God be Merciful and Just at the Same Time?

Atheist: If God is “just”, he will sentence the sinners. But if God is “merciful”, he will forgive the sinners. But if God is both “just” and “merciful”, what would he do? Being just means to give people what they deserve. And being merciful means giving people more than what they deserve. When God sentences a sinner, he is “just” but not “merciful”. And when God forgives a sinner, he is “merciful’, but not “just”. Therefore, “Just” and “merciful” cannot co-exist. God cannot be both “just” and “merciful” to someone at the same time.

Muslim: You are right. “Just” and “merciful” cannot co-exist although Christianity claims so. In Islam, God is “merciful” to believers and “just” to unbelievers. God hates unbelievers but he is just towards them. The Quran 3:57 says God doesn’t love the unjust. The Qur’an 3:31-32 says God loves believers and hates unbelievers.