FEAR OF ALLOH

Nov. 09^th 2007 – Shawwal 28^th 1428

Introduction:

It is very difficult to cover all that is said in The Qur'an and the Ahadiths about the importance of fear for (Almighty) Alloh. It may, however, be understood that fear of (Almighty) Alloh is an essential step towards all spiritual advancement. -02

Humanity has been created to worship (Almighty) Alloh and is constantly being tested. The Day of Judgment is a fearsome reality to be reflected upon with awe so that it becomes impossible to remain unaffected by it. However, this fear is only applicable to people of faith and is a particular type of fear because (Almighty) Alloh has described what will happen on the Day of Judgment in numerous Qur'anic verses; the scribes, witnesses and the enormous congregation of people. This is an absolute certainty, which is unconditionally accepted by true believers who are fearful of facing such a terrifying ordeal. You are fast approaching the day when you will be called by (Almighty) Alloh to account for your actions. So we hope to be amongst those who have earned (Almighty) Alloh's pleasure through fearful awareness of Him:-01

Whatever good you do, Alloh is fully aware thereof. As you prepare your provisions for the journey, the best provision is righteousness. You shall observe Me, Oh you who possess intelligence {The Qur’an – Surah Al Baqarah (Chapter: The Heifer) 02: 197}.

You will be heeded only by those who uphold this message, and reverence (fear) the Most Gracious - even when alone in their privacy. Give them good news of forgiveness and a generous recompense {The Qur’an – Surah Al Yaseen (Chapter: The Yaseen) 36:11}.

Ahadiths on Taquwa:

Narrated companion Abu Dharr (RTA) that The Last Messenger Prophet Muhammad (SAW) said: "Fear (Almighty) Alloh 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" [Hadith - Al-Trimidhi #5083].

Narrated companion Hudhayfah (RTA) that The Last Messenger Prophet Muhammad (SAW) said: "By Him in Whose hand my soul is, you must enjoin what is reputable and forbid what is disreputable, or (Almighty) Alloh will certainly soon send punishment from Himself to you. Under such a condition, you will make supplication and not receive an answer" [Hadith - Al-Trimidhi #5140].

Narrated companion Abu Dharr (RTA) that The Last Messenger Prophet Muhammad (SAW) said: "For him who fears (Almighty) Alloh He will appoint a way out and He will give him provision from an unimagined source"[Hadith - Al-Trimidhi #5306].

Narrated companion Abdullah Ibn Masa’ood (RTA) that The Last Messenger Prophet Muhammad (SAW) said: "If, through fear of (Almighty) Alloh, 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 (Almighty) Alloh"[Hadith - Al-Trimidhi #5359].

Abu Huraira (RTA) narrated that “(Almighty) Alloh’s Messenger (SAW) was asked, "Who are the most honourable of the people?” The Last Messenger Prophet Muhammad (SAW) said: "The most honourable of them in (Almighty) Alloh’s Sight are those who keep their duty to (Almighty) Alloh and fear Him…"  [Sahih Bukharie - Prophetic Commentary on the Qur'an Volume 6, Book 60, Number 211].

Exegesis of Fear:

Ibn Juzayy Al Kalbi (RUA) said in his dictionary of terms from the introduction to his tafsir: "Taqwa's meaning is fear, clinging to obedience to (Almighty) Alloh and abandoning disobedience to Him. It is the sum of all good". -04

There are five degrees of Taquwa:

1. That the slave should protect himself from kufr (covering over the truth), and that is the station of Islam;

2. That he should protect himself from acts of disobedience and forbidden things, and it is the station of turning or repentance (tawbah);

3. That he should protects himself from doubtful matters, and that is the station of caution or carefulness (wara');

4. That he should protect himself from even those things that are permitted, and that is the station of doing without (zuhd);

5. That he should protect himself from the presence of other than (Almighty) Alloh in his heart, and it is the presence of witnessing (mushahadah).

How to increase Fear (Taquwa):

• To observe (Almighty) Alloh's Commandment in private as well as in public.

• To watch over prayer, obligatory and optional.

• To associate with the righteous and to avoid the vicious.

• To seek refuge with (Almighty) Alloh and to supplicate Him, since He does not disappoint anybody.

• To recite the Qur'an perpetually and to remember Him often.

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