Fear in Islam

Fear in Islam

Fear stands among the loftiest and most esteemed virtues in the realm of religion. Allah, the Most Exalted, has spotlighted this attribute in His divine Book when describing the leaders among the close angels, the righteous allies, and the virtuous. The Almighty says in His Noble Book:

 يَخَافُونَ رَبَّهُم مِّن فَوْقِهِمْ وَيَفْعَلُونَ مَا يُؤْمَرُونَ) [النحل: 50])

{They fear their Lord above them, and do whatever they are commanded.} 16:50.

وَهُم مِّنْ خَشْيَتِهِۦ مُشْفِقُونَ) [الأنبياء: 28])

[and they tremble in awe of Him.] 21:28.

وَلِمَنْ خَافَ مَقَامَ رَبِّهِۦ جَنَّتَانِ) [الرحمن: 46])

[And whoever is in awe of standing before their Lord will have two Gardens.] 55:46.

ذَٰلِكَ لِمَنْ خَافَ مَقَامِى وَخَافَ وَعِيدِ) [إبراهيم: 14])

[This is for whoever is in awe of standing before Me and fears My warning.] 14:14.

Human fear can be classified into three categories:

1. Fear induced by Shirk:

This type of fear involves apprehension regarding harm inflicted by beings other than Allah, such as illness, poverty, or death, based on the ability and will. It is the same fear that polytheists held towards their deities.

Today, worshippers at graves similarly believe in the power of the deceased, seeking proximity through supplication, sacrifice, and vows, fearing them and hoping for their assistance.

If an oath is sought from them in the name of Allah, they do not hesitate even to take a false oath. However, when asked to swear in the name of a deceased person to whom they attribute false beliefs, they refrain from taking the oath. The sole reason for this is that in their hearts, the fear of this deceased person surpasses the fear of Allah, even though the deceased is reduced to dust. May Allah protect us.

This type of fear, which involves associating fear with someone other than Allah, constitutes major Shirk, leading one to exit the Islam. May Allah protect us.

2. Natural Fear:

This type involves fearing enemies, predators, or similar entities, which is not condemned. Allah mentions it in the Quran regarding Moses:

فَخَرَجَ مِنْهَا خَآئِفًۭا يَتَرَقَّبُ) [القصص: 21])

[So Moses left the city in a state of fear and caution] 28:21

3. Fear of Abandoning Religious Duties:

This involves refraining from fulfilling Allah's obligations and seeking His rewards due to the fear of people. This is prohibited in Islam.

Allah, the Exalted, says:

إِنَّمَا ذَٰلِكُمُ ٱلشَّيْطَـٰنُ يُخَوِّفُ أَوْلِيَآءَهُۥ فَلَا تَخَافُوهُمْ وَخَافُونِ إِن كُنتُم مُّؤْمِنِينَ) [آل عمران: 175])

[That ˹warning˺ was only ˹from˺ Satan, trying to prompt you to fear his followers. So do not fear them; fear Me if you are ˹true˺ believers.] 3:175

This means that Satan scares you with the false impression that his allies will cut off your provisions and that they possess great strength.

4: The fear of Allah's warning and threat:

This is mentioned in the Quran:

ذَٰلِكَ لِمَنْ خَافَ مَقَامِى وَخَافَ وَعِيدِ) [إبراهيم: 14])

[This is for whoever is in awe of standing before Me and fears My warning.] 14:14.

وَلِمَنْ خَافَ مَقَامَ رَبِّهِۦ جَنَّتَانِ) [الرحمن: 46])

[And whoever is in awe of standing before their Lord will have two Gardens.] 55:46.

This type of fear is among the highest levels of faith. It serves as a barrier preventing the Muslim from committing sins. This fear is coupled with hope, and they both are companions, and one cannot approach Allah except through them. Fear prevents one from committing sins, while hope motivates towards acts of obedience.

Anything beyond this is unnecessary.

May Allah grant us success, and peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad.

The fourteenth lesson concludes with the praise of Allah.