Chapter: On the Fear of Allah

باب فی الخوف — خوف خدا کے بارے میں

بَابٌ فِي الْخَوْفِ — On the Fear of Allah

إِنَّمَا يَخْشَى اللَّهَ مِنْ عِبَادِهِ الْعُلَمَاءُ

"Indeed, it is only the scholars among His servants who fear Allah." (Fatir, 35:28). The author explains: The highest degree of khashya (reverent fear) is that of the scholars, for they know Allah's attributes of power, majesty, and justice, and thus appreciate the gravity of standing before Him.

وَخَافُونِ إِن كُنتُم مُّؤْمِنِينَ

"And fear Me, if you are [indeed] believers." (Al-Imran, 3:175)

The author distinguishes between two types of fear: khawf (fear of punishment for sins) and khashya (awe inspired by recognition of Divine greatness). Both are praiseworthy, but khashya is the higher station, for it arises from knowledge and love, not merely from awareness of one's own wrongdoing.

عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ قَالَ: لَوْ تَعْلَمُونَ مَا أَعْلَمُ لَضَحِكْتُمْ قَلِيلًا وَلَبَكَيْتُمْ كَثِيرًا

Narrated by Abu Hurayra (may Allah be pleased with him): The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: 'If you knew what I know, you would laugh little and weep much.' (Agreed Upon — Bukhari and Muslim)

عَنِ ابْنِ مَسْعُودٍ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ: أَنَا أَعْلَمُكُمْ بِاللَّهِ وَأَشَدُّكُمْ لَهُ خَشْيَةً

Narrated by Ibn Mas'ud (may Allah be pleased with him): The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: 'I am the most knowledgeable of you concerning Allah and the most fearful of Him among you.' (Bukhari). The author notes: Fear of Allah is not weakness but the mark of the most learned and most beloved of Allah's servants.