It may also be said:

Rather, aid is more important, as explained above. For warding off what is disliked is itself loved, and this can only be achieved through the repelling faculty, which is stronger than the attracting faculty. Those who provide aid are therefore accorded particular esteem because they repel opposition. Those who provide sustenance, by contrast, face no opposition; rather, they have support. Thus, those who provide aid are both loved and esteemed.

This may be countered by saying:

Losing what is loved is also disliked, and what is loved can only be attained through the attracting faculty. We do not concede that the repelling faculty is stronger. Indeed, attraction may be stronger; in fact, attraction is fundamentally stronger, for it is what is sought in the first instance, while repulsion serves it and is subordinate to it. Just as the repelling faculty wards off the opposing factor, the attracting faculty supplies the positive cause. Giving the impediment precedence over the positive cause is unjustified. Rather, the positive cause is stronger in absolute terms, for it is indispensable for something to exist. The impediment, however, is needed only when an opposing factor is present, and there may be no opposing factor. Thus, the positive cause and love are the foundation and mainstay of what truly exists and what is rightly sought, whereas the impediment and hatred are secondary and subordinate.

For this reason, Allah wrote in the Book kept with Him above the Throne:

“My mercy prevails over My wrath.”

For this reason, good is found in Allah’s names and attributes, whereas evil pertains to actions, as in His words:

“Tell My servants that I am indeed the All-Forgiving, the Most Merciful, and that My punishment is indeed the painful punishment.”

And His words:

“Know that Allah is severe in punishment, and that Allah is All-Forgiving, Most Merciful.”