Fear of Allah
As Du’ât, we
should aim for the highest level of being Muslims by having ihsan, which
according to the Prophet (sallallâhu
‘alayhi wasallam) is “... to worship Allah as if you see Him, and
if you cannot achieve this state of devotion then you must consider that He is
looking at you.” (Bukhari 1/47, 6/300
and Muslim1) We should be Mu’hsinoon or
Muttaqon (God conscious or God-fearing Muslims). This means that we have to remember and fear Allah (Subhanahu wa
ta’ala) at all times. We have to be righteous and pious and
restrain and guard ourselves from evil.
We have to be strong in conveying the Truth and should not fear anyone
but Allah (Subhanahu wa ta’ala). We
should see to it that everything we think, we say, and we do is Islamic ¾ in
complete submission to the Will of Allah (Subhanahu wa ta’ala). We should have
Taqwa (fear of Allah), which is a
virtuous conduct in the Sight of Allah (Subhanahu wa ta’ala):
Abu Hurairah
(radhiallahu anhu) narrated that “Allah’s Messenger (sallallâhu ‘alayhi wasallam) was asked, “Who are the most honorable of the people?” The
Prophet (sallallâhu ‘alayhi
wasallam) said, “The most honorable of
them in Allah’s Sight are those who keep their duty to Allah and fear
Him…” (Bukhari 6/211)
Verily, Allah
(Subhanahu wa ta’ala) is the Only One Who deserves our fear. We should fear Him Alone as He knows the
secrets of our hearts and is well acquainted with all that we do (5:7-8). Allah
(Subhanahu wa ta’ala) says:
“O you who
believe! Fear Allah as He should be feared, and die not except in a state of
Islam. And hold fast, all together, by
the rope which Allah (stretches out for you), and be not divided among
yourselves...” (3:102-103)
“It is only the Evil
One that suggests to you the fear of his votaries: be not afraid of them but
fear Me if you have faith.” (3:175)
“And call in remembrance the favor of Allah
unto you, and His Covenant, which He ratified with you, when you said: “We hear
and we obey”: and fear Allah, for Allah knows well the secrets of your
hearts.” (5:7)
“To Him belongs
whatever is in the heavens and on earth and to Him is duty due always: then
will you fear other than Allah?” (
“Turn your back in
repentance to Him and fear Him: establish regular prayers and be not among
those who join gods with Allah.”
(30:31)
“O you who believe! Fear Allah, and let every soul look to what (provision) he has
sent forth for the morrow. Yea, fear
Allah for Allah is well-acquainted with
(all) that you do.” (59:18)
We should as much
as possible inculcate in our minds and hearts the fear of Allah (Subhanahu wa
ta’ala). Wherever we are, we have to
fear Allah (Subhanahu wa ta’ala), do good deeds and deal with people nicely:
Abu Dharr
(radhiallahu anhu) narrated that Allah’s Messenger (sallallâhu ‘alayhi wasallam) said to him, “Fear Allah wherever you are; if you follow an evil
deed with a good one you will obliterate it; and deal with people with a good
disposition.” (Tirmidhi 5083)
Ali Bin Abu Talib
(radhiallahu anhu) narrated that the last words, which Allah’s
Messenger(sallallâhu ‘alayhi wasallam)
spoke were: “Prayer, prayer; fear Allah about those whom your right hands
possess.” (Abu Dawud 5137)
The non-Muslims
should also know that they should fear no one but Allah (Subhanahu wa
ta’ala). Allah is Most Gracious, Most
Merciful, but His Wrath is Most Severe for those who deny Him. They should fear Allah; for Allah (Subhanahu
wa ta’ala) is strict in punishment
(5:2). Allah the Almighty warns:
“O you who
believe! Devour not usury doubled and multiplied; but fear Allah; that you may
(really) prosper. Fear the Fire that is
prepared for those who reject faith.
And obey Allah and the Messenger, that you may obtain mercy.” (3:130-132)
And if you are in
doubt as to what We have revealed from time to time to Our servant then produce
a Surah like thereunto; and call your witnesses or helpers (if there are any)
besides Allah if your (doubts) are true. But if you cannot and of a surety you
cannot then fear the fire whose fuel is Men and Stones which is prepared for
those who reject Faith. (2:23-24)
It is necessary
that we should have fear of Allah (Subhanahu wa ta’ala) and, at the same time, must have hope in His
Mercy and Rewards. We do Da’wah as best
as we can, not only out of fear of Him that if we do not do it based on the
Qur’an and the Sunnah, Allah (Subhanahu wa ta’ala) will not only reject our
deeds but also will punish us.
Moreover, we do it the way the Prophet (sallallâhu ‘alayhi wasallam) did it out of hope that by
doing righteous deeds, for His Pleasure, He will reward us. We should make this very clear to both the
non-practicing Muslims and the non-Muslims. They should have fear in Allah’s
punishment and hope in His Rewards. They should be made to understand that fear
of Allah (Subhanahu wa ta’ala) gives us hope for ultimate success. It is one of the keys to salvation. Both the Qur’an and the Ahâdîth tell us:
“On the other hand
for those who fear their Rabb are gardens with rivers flowing beneath therein
are they to dwell (for ever) a gift from the presence of Allah and that which
is in the presence of Allah is the best (bliss) for the righteous.” (3:198)
“O you who
believe! If you fear Allah, He will
grant you a criterion (to judge between right and wrong) remove from you (all)
evil (that may afflict) you and forgive you: for Allah is the Rabb of grace
unbounded.” (
“As for those who
fear their Rabb Unseen, for them is Forgiveness and a great Reward.” (67:12)
Abu Hurairah
(radhiallahu anhu) narrated that Allah’s Messenger(sallallâhu ‘alayhi wasallam) said, “Do you know the things which most commonly bring people
into
Abu Said
(radhiallahu anhu) narrated that the Prophet (sallallâhu ‘alayhi wasallam) mentioned a man from the previous generation or from the people
proceeding your age whom Allah had given both wealth and children. The Prophet
(sallallâhu ‘alayhi wasallam) said, “When the time of his death
approached, he asked his children, 'What type of father have I been to you?'
They replied: 'You have been a good father.' He said, 'But he (i.e. your
father) has not stored any good deeds with Allah (for the Hereafter): if he
should face Allah, Allah will punish him. So listen, (O my children), when I
die, burn my body till I become mere coal and then grind it into powder, and
when there is a stormy wind, throw me (my ashes) in it.' So he took a firm
promise from his children (to follow his instructions). And by Allah they (his
sons) did accordingly (fulfilled their promise). Then Allah said, 'Be!' and
behold! That man was standing there! Allah then said, 'O my slave! What made
you do what you did?' That man said, 'Fear of You.' So Allah forgave him.” (Bukhari 8/488)
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