AL-KHAWF (FEAR)

The meaning of fear is the startled reaction of the heart to something frightening or dangerous approaching or to something beloved going away. Fear can be divided into two types:

1.     The mere biological fear which is an automatic reaction which Allah (Subhaanahu wa Ta’aalaa) has created in us for our defense. For example, if one is suddenly attacked on a dark street, he will likely experience this kind of fear: speeding of the heart, production of adrenalin, etc. This is normal in Allah (Subhaanahu wa Ta’aalaa)’s creation and does not constitute fearing other than Allah (Subhaanahu wa Ta’aalaa).

2.     The reasoned or “intellectual” fear which causes one to modify their actions or lack of actions. An example would be one who dresses un-Islamically or neglects their Salaah (Prayer) for fear of losing employment. This type fear is only to be directed to Allah (Subhaanahu wa Ta’aalaa). To have this kind of fear of other than Allah (Subhaanahu wa Ta’aalaa) in something which contradicts fear of Allah (Subhaanahu wa Ta’aalaa) can reach the level of Shirk (Polytheism).

Fear of Allah (Subhaanahu wa Ta’aalaa) is a feeling which arises from knowledge and clear awareness of Allah (Subhaanahu wa Ta’aalaa)’s greatness and reality of the All-knowing Creator as well as knowledge of what this requires and demands of us in our actions. Fear of Allah (Subhaanahu wa Ta’aalaa) is developed and cultivated through:

1.     Seeking knowledge about Allah (Subhaanahu wa Ta’aalaa)’s sublime attributes along with contemplating them.

For example, one who truly knows that Allah (Subhaanahu wa Ta’aalaa) is Ar-Razzaaq (the Provider) will be unable to compromise his obedience to Allah (Subhaanahu wa Ta’aalaa) for fear that someone may terminate their employment. In the face of consciousness of Allah (Subhaanahu wa Ta’aalaa) and His attributes, such a decision would not even make any sense.

2.     Seeking knowledge about the Shari’ah of Allah (Subhaanahu wa Ta’aalaa).

Once we know the need to obey and worship Allah (Subhaanahu wa Ta’aalaa), we must necessarily look to His Communication to us in its two parts: the Quraan and the Sunnah to learn How are we required to worship Allah (Subhaanahu wa Ta’aalaa).

3.     Practice what we have learned.

Every act of obedience adds to the scale of our Imaan, increases it directly and indirectly. Directly in the sense that the act of obedience is itself a portion of our Imaan and indirectly in the sense that each act of obedience brings us closer to Allah (Subhaanahu wa Ta’aalaa) and increases his aid and blessing upon us. This aids us in further acts of worship and obedience. Contrast this to the effects of each act of disobedience (either commission or omission): it detracts from our Imaan directly and indirectly and decreases our closeness to Allah (Subhaanahu wa Ta’aalaa) and diminishes His aid and blessing upon us.

Allah (Subhaanahu wa Ta’aalaa) has used a variety of words to express the concept of fear in the Quraan. Among them: Al-Faz’, Al-Wara’, Ar-Rahbah, Al-Kheefah and Al-Khashyah.

In Soorah Al-Israa’, Allah (Subhaanahu wa Ta’aalaa) mentions the fact that He communicated the Quraan in many pieces spread out over time so that it could be given to the people slowly. Then, He says:

“Say: believe or don’t believe. Surely, those who were given knowledge before it when it is recited to them fall on their faces in prostration. And they say exalted is our Lord. The promise of our Lord is surely to be fulfilled.” (Al-Israa:108-109)

The reaction of the believer to the verses of Allah (Subhaanahu wa Ta’aalaa) is clear: They fall to their faces in prostration out of the realization that Allah (Subhaanahu wa Ta’aalaa) is real and His word is truth and out of fear of displeasing Him or incurring His wrath. They know that the promise of Allah (Subhaanahu wa Ta’aalaa) - and the promise of Allah (Subhaanahu wa Ta’aalaa) - here is His promise to come to the aid of the believers in this world and in the Aakhirah (Hereafter) - is surely to come to pass and there is no power able to turn back His decree in the least.

One who truly places his belief and reliance in Allah (Subhaanahu wa Ta’aalaa) will be free from fear in this life and in the Aakhirah. Allah (Subhaanahu wa Ta’aalaa) said speaking about the events of Qiyaamah:

“And the faces are bowed before the Living, the Maintainer and whoever carries any oppression is dejected in loss. And whoever has done good deeds and is a believer has no fear of oppression nor of any diminishing.” (TaaHaa:111-112)

Note the combination of belief and good deeds. Belief without good deeds will not free one from fear and punishment of Allah (Subhaanahu wa Ta’aalaa) in the Aakhirah. Good deeds without belief are nothing. Allah (Subhaanahu wa Ta’aalaa) has described them elsewhere in the Quraan as “like a mirage in the desert”. Oppression in the first verse means Shirk and all other lesser sins along with it. Oppression in the second verse means that he has no fear of being punished unfairly or without sin.

As we said, fear of Allah (Subhaanahu wa Ta’aalaa) arises out of study and knowledge about Allah (Subhaanahu wa Ta’aalaa)’s sublime attributes and his Shari’ah or ordinances for us to be able to please and worship Him. There is no other route to this objective other than this. Those who have been blocked by their desires or misled by innovations and deviations in belief can never truly fear Allah (Subhaanahu wa Ta’aalaa) because the road to knowledge/consciousness of Allah (Subhaanahu wa Ta’aalaa) has been blocked. It is those most in knowledge of Allah (Subhaanahu wa Ta’aalaa) who have the chance to fear Allah most. Allah (Subhaanahu wa Ta’aalaa) said:

“And among the people and the creatures and the cattle different colors likewise the only ones who fear Allah among his slaves are the knowledgeable. Surely, Allah is Mighty, Forgiving. Surely, those who recite the Book of Allah and maintain the Salaah and spend from that which we have provided them in secret and openly look forward to a transaction which will not be fruitless. So that He may give them their recompense and add an increase from His Generosity. Surely Allah is extremely Forgiving and Grateful. (Soorah Faatir:28-30)

Fear of Allah (Subhaanahu wa Ta’aalaa) which comes from consciousness of Allah (Subhaanahu wa Ta’aalaa) must be present at all times. This is what prevents someone from falling into bad deeds. The Prophet (SallAllaho alaihe wa sallam) said:

“Seven whom Allah will shade with His shade on a day when there is no shade except His shade: ………., and a man who was called by a woman of social status and beauty but said: I fear Allah.” (Muslim & Bukhari)

These two things lead to the reward of Allah (Subhaanahu wa Ta’aalaa) and His Jannah (Paradise):

1.     Fear of standing before Allah (Subhaanahu wa Ta’aalaa) and consciousness of this reality at all times and in all things.

2.     Restricting oneself to obedience of Allah (Subhaanahu wa Ta’aalaa) and rejecting all desires and inclinations which are contrary to Allah (Subhaanahu wa Ta’aalaa)’s orders and commandments.

“And as for those who fear standing before their Lord and forbid themselves their desires - surely the garden (of paradise) is their place of shelter.” (An-Naazi’aat:40-41)

The more one knows about Allah (Subhaanahu wa Ta’aalaa) and about His Communication to us in the Quraan and the Sunnah, the more one will be inclined to fear Allah (Subhaanahu wa Ta’aalaa) and to act accordingly. Hadhrat Anas reports:

The Prophet (SallAllaho alaihe wa sallam) addressed us with a Khutbah (Sermon) the likes of which I have never heard and he said:

“If you only knew what I know, you would laugh little and you would cry much.”

And the Sahaabah (Companions) of Allah (Subhaanahu wa Ta’aalaa)’s Messenger (SallAllaho alaihe wa sallam) covered their faces and they were crying.

Once we understand the greatness of Allah (Subhaanahu wa Ta’aalaa) and what He demands of us, there is a need for constant vigilance lest Shaitaan (Stan) confuse us with innovations or deviations or sins. Hadhrat Ibne Hazm once said:

“One hour of neglect can undo a year of pious effort.”

Imam Al-Baihaqi reports that the big Shaitaan sends his armies to deceive worshippers and tells them first to look at what they eat and instructs them that, if his consumption is not Halaal to “let them worship long and hard” since he knows that these prayers are not accepted. So, these worshippers will work hard believing that they are doing something when in reality they are doing nothing. The same thing applies to acts of worship which are accompanied by innovations (Bid’ah) in Islam or deviant and wrong beliefs not based on the Quraan and the Sunnah. This is similar to Allah’s statement:

“Say: Should we inform you of those whose actions are the most bankrupt? Those whose efforts were lost in the life of this world but who believe that they are doing something good. (Al-Kahf:103-104)

A scholar once said that there is no verse which causes him more fear than the above verses.