Comprehensive Guide to the Fear of Allah: Benefits, Attainment Strategies, and Spiritual Rewards
Fear of Allah and Its Fruits and Means of Attainment
Written by: Sheikh Maqbool Ahmad Salafi (Hafizahullah), Jeddah Dawah Center (Saudi Arabia)
Fear is the restlessness of the heart. When a person commits forbidden acts and sins, their heart trembles with the fear of Allah. Similarly, the heart becomes uneasy when they abandon the acts commanded by Allah or fears their rejection of their deeds. This is what is meant by the fear of Allah. This fear is desired from a believer because fear of Allah is an act of worship and part of monotheism.
The Quran contains various words and phrases related to fear:
- “Ittaqoo”: “So fear Allah as much as you are able.” (At-Taghabun: 16)
- “Nazeer”: “O Prophet, indeed We have sent you as a witness and a bearer of good tidings and a warner.” (Al-Ahzab: 45)
- “Khawf”: “Indeed, it is only Satan who frightens his allies. So do not fear them, but fear Me, if you are believers.” (Aali ‘Imran: 175)
- “Wajilat”: “Indeed, the believers are only those who, when Allah is mentioned, their hearts become fearful.” (Al-Anfal: 2)
- “Khashiyah”: “Indeed, those who fear their Lord are the ones who are apprehensive.” (Al-Mu’minun: 57)
- “Rahbah”: “And fear Me alone.” (Al-Baqarah: 40)
- “Rahaq”: “And that there were men from humankind seeking refuge in men from the jinn, so they increased them in fear.” (Al-Jinn: 6)
These verses indicate that only Allah should be feared. Here, I clarify a point to make the topic completely clear:
Types of Fear
The only one deserving of fear is Allah. Fearing anyone else can be considered a form of shirk in worship, which can manifest in two ways:
- First Type: Abandoning religious practice out of fear of others. For example, one might pray aloud in Saudi Arabia but abandon this practice when returning to their home country out of fear of others.
- Second Type: Believing that someone other than Allah has the power to cause harm independently, such as idols, saints, jinn, deceased individuals, or imagined wandering spirits.
This point is emphasized in the Quran:
“Indeed, it is only Satan who frightens his allies. So do not fear them, but fear Me, if you are believers.” (Aali ‘Imran: 175)
Therefore, one should not develop fear of others in their heart in any circumstance. Only Allah is the master of benefit and harm; without His decree, no one can affect us. Allah says:
“And if Allah should touch you with adversity, there is no remover of it except Him. And if He intends for you good, then there is no repeller of His bounty.” (Al-An’am: 17)
However, natural fear is an exception. It is a natural response, such as fearing a snake or wild animals. This fear is not in comparison to the fear of Allah. For example, Moses feared the snake:
“Throw down your staff. But when he saw it writhing as if it were a snake, he turned in flight and did not return. [Allah] said, ‘O Moses, fear not. Indeed, in My presence the messengers do not fear.'” (An-Naml: 10)
Allah commands:
“O you who have believed, fear Allah as He should be feared and do not die except as Muslims.” (Aali ‘Imran: 102)
Some scholars have abrogated this verse with “So fear Allah as much as you are able.” However, the majority of scholars hold that this command refers to fearing Allah to the best of one’s ability, as Allah does not burden any soul beyond its capacity. Allah says:
“Allah does not burden a soul beyond that it can bear.” (Al-Baqarah: 286)
In a hadith, the Prophet ﷺ asked Hudhaifah bin al-Yaman (رضي الله عنه):
“Do you know what is the right of Allah upon His servants?” He replied, “Allah and His Messenger know best.” The Prophet ﷺ said, “The right of Allah upon His servants is to worship Him alone and not associate anything with Him.” (Sahih Muslim: 30)
A person who worships Allah alone and does not associate partners with Him has fulfilled the right of Allah.
Ways to Attain Fear of Allah
- Sincerity in Acquiring Knowledge: Allah says, “It is only those who have knowledge among His servants who fear Allah.” (Fatir: 28) Ibn al-Qayyim wrote that a person will fear Allah in proportion to their knowledge of Him. Knowledge without sincerity leads to a lack of fear. Today, there are many scholars, but few truly fear Allah because they have not pursued knowledge with sincerity, seeking only worldly gains.
- Reflecting on and Reciting the Quran: Allah says, “When the verses of the Most Merciful were recited to them, they fell in prostration and weeping.” (Maryam: 58) Abdullah bin Mas’ud (رضي الله عنه) narrated that the Prophet ﷺ wept when he heard the Quran recited.
- Contemplating the Conditions of the Believers: Believers are described as those who tremble when Allah is mentioned. The Prophet ﷺ mentioned those who remember Allah in solitude and their eyes shed tears.
- Repenting from Sins: Sinfulness can make one lose fear of Allah. Repentance and avoiding sin bring one closer to Allah and increase the fear of Him.
- Reflecting on the Verses about Punishment: Reflecting on the severe punishment of Hell and avoiding actions that lead to it.
- Considering the Fate of Tyrants and Disbelievers: The Quran describes how past nations that were mightier were destroyed for their disbelief and tyranny. (Qaf: 36)
- Remembering the Day of Judgment: The day when people will be overwhelmed with fear and anxiety. Allah describes this momentous day in detail.
The Rewards of Fearing Allah
- Worldly Benefits: Fear of Allah leads to solutions for problems and unexpected provisions. Allah says, “And whoever fears Allah – He will make for him a way out and will provide for him from where he does not expect.” (At-Talaq: 2-3) Example: The story of the three men in the cave illustrates this.
- Eternal Rewards: The reward in the Hereafter for fearing Allah is Paradise. Allah says, “For those who fear the position of their Lord are two gardens.” (Ar-Rahman: 46-48) Also, “But for he who has feared the position of his Lord and restrained himself from desires, Indeed, Paradise will be his refuge.” (An-Nazi’at: 40-41) The Prophet ﷺ said, “A man who weeps out of fear of Allah will not enter Hell until the milk returns to the udder.” (Sahih At-Tirmidhi: 1633)
Conclusion
The fear of Allah must be embedded in the heart. This fear guides behavior in all circumstances, be it in solitude or in public, during travel or at home, at night or during the day. This fear helps a person remain steadfast in faith and actions, ensuring adherence to Allah’s commands and avoidance of sins.