Thoughts
A’ssalamu alaikum The feeling that Allah will immediately punish you after committing a sin can naturally arise in the heart, because a believer has a sense of accountability before their Lord. In that sense, the idea that Allah can hold someone accountable for disobedience is not baseless. The Qur’an speaks about Allah’s justice and His ability to punish, so feeling remorse and fear after sin can actually be a sign of a living heart. However, thinking that every sin will necessarily be followed by immediate punishment in this world is not a correct understanding. Allah is Forbearing and Merciful. He may punish, but He also grants respite. Very often, He gives a person time to repent, conceals their faults, and leaves the door of reform open. If every sin were followed by instant punishment, there would be no opportunity for people to correct themselves. The real balance in faith is between fear and hope. If fear arises after a sin, it should lead you toward repentance, seeking forgiveness, and self-improvement—not toward despair or constant anxiety. If this thought pushes you away from Allah and makes you hopeless or distressed, then it is not heading in the right direction. But if it brings humility and sincere repentance, then it can be a sign that your faith is alive.