Page 22 - Fear of Allah

FEAR OF ALLAH
Feeling hope with fear

Although a believer fears Allah, he should never forget Allah's
compassion, mercy and forgiveness, or that He is the One Who due
to His generosity accepts repentance. This will in turn be the reason
for possessing a sincere sense of hope, whilst experiencing genuine
fear. A deep fear of Allah will give rise to a profound level of reflec-
tion on these attributes of Allah, enabling Allah's superiority and
greatness to be even more keenly appreciated, resulting in a greater
closeness to Allah. One will acquire a greater perception of Allah's
mercy, His grace and His immense forgivingness.
Therefore, a true believer will turn and supplicate to Allah in a
spiritual state full of fear and hope:
Their sides eschew their beds as they call on their Lord in fear
and ardent hope. And they give of what We have provided for
them. (Surat as-Sajda: 16)
This is an indication that fear of Allah has never been a feeling to
cause hopelessness and pessimism. In many verses of the Qur'an it is
declared that a Muslim should be in a constant state of hopefulness:
Call on Him fearfully and eagerly. Allah's mercy is close to
the good-doers. (Surat al-A'raf: 56)
Say: "My servants, you who have transgressed against your-
selves, do not despair of the mercy of Allah. Truly Allah for-
gives all wrong actions. He is the Ever-Forgiving, the Most
Merciful." (Surat az-Zumar: 53)
On the other hand, hopelessness is a characteristic of disbelievers,
which is also indicated in various Qur'anic verses:
Those who reject Allah's Signs and the meeting with Him,
such people can despair of My mercy, such people will have
a painful punishment. (Surat al-'Ankabut: 23)

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