Allah’s Messenger, may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him, said, “For him who fears Allah, He will appoint a way out and He will give him provision from an unimagined source.” [Tirmidhi]
Sayyidina Hudhaifa reports that the Messenger of Allah, may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him, said: “There was a man amongst the people who had suspicion as to the righteousness of his deeds. Therefore he said to his family, ‘If I die, take me and burn my corpse and throw my ashes into the sea on a hot (or windy) day.’ They did so, but Allah, collected his particles and asked (him), ‘What made you do what you did?’ He replied, ‘The only thing that made me do it, was that I was afraid of You.’ So Allah forgave him.” [Bukhari]
Indeed, Allah states in the Qur’an:
“If any one fears Allah, He will remove his ills, from him, and will enlarge his reward.” [Qur’an 65:5]
Fear of Allah & taqwa
Sayyidina Abu Dharr Ghaffari reports that Sayyidina RasulAllah, may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him, said:
“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]
According to Tafsir ibn Kathir, the root meaning of taqwa is to avoid what one dislikes. The term comes from the Arabic verb ittaqá, meaning ‘to be wary, God-fearing.’ Indeed, a person who fears Allah & His Wrath will seek to avoid that which will incur Allah’s punishment. This is exhibited by willfully avoiding actions that lead to Allah’s Anger and disapproval; while consciously performing actions that will please Allah.
The fear of Allah is such a feeling, such a emotion that it purifies the heart and strengthens one’s faith. It adorns a Muslim’s character with humility and patience, and ultimately Almighty Allah favors that person due to their taqwa:
Allah’s Messenger, may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him, said, “If, through fear of Allah, tears – even to the extent of a fly’s head – fall from any believer’s eyes and drop on some part of his cheek, he will be kept away from Hell by Allah.”[Tirmidhi]
The word ‘taqwa’ and its variations have been used in the Holy Qur’an 151 times, which emphasises the importance for a believer to be conscious of Allah’s Pleasure and fear His Wrath. The fear of Allah in this manner is the path to forgiveness, salvation, and the attainment of Allah’s Mercy. This crucial aspect of imaan (faith) is a recurring theme in the Noble Qur’an. In this way, Almighty Allah has called upon mankind in every era to fear Him so that they may be guided & attain His Pleasure.
“Verily we have directed the People of the Book before you, and you (O Muslims) to fear Allah.” [Qur’an 4:131]
“O you who believe! Fear Allah as He should be feared, and die not except in a state of Islam.” [Qur’an 3:102]
A great summary of this article is made by Sayyidina ‘Umar bin al-Khattab, who wrote in a letter to his son Sayyidina Abdullah ibn ‘Umar, “Verily, I advise you to have taqwa (fear) of Allah the Mighty and Majestic, for whoever fears Him, Allah will protect him, and whoever gives a loan to Him, Allah will reward him, and whoever thanks Him, Allah will increase him.”
May Allah include us amongst those who attain the ranks of piety due to our fear of His Displeasure and our love for His Mercy. Ameen.