Hakim al-Umma Mawlana Ashraf ‘Ali Thanawi (may Allah have mercy on him) said,

“Once I asked my first wife that even though I am never neglectful of your rights then what is the reason that you always remain saddened. She replied that whatever I did was not out of love but due to the fear of accountability infront of Allah.

I told her that if I had fulfilled all these rights merely due to love it was possible that at some point due to decreasing love (which always remain a possiblity) I become neglectful in executing my obligations. But if I do these things due to fear of accountability to Allah then remain reassured that I will never ever be neglectful in fulfilling these rights. This is because once this fear of Allah enters a heart it never leaves. You should be happy at this (state of mine).”

Hakim al Umma kay heyratangayz waqiyat, page 39