Page 36 - Fear of Allah

FEAR OF ALLAH
In conclusion when we look at the Qur'an we see that bad deeds,
as long as the one who commits them doesn't repent and cease im-
mediately as is due to Allah's exalted justice, do not go unpunished.
However, this punishment sometimes reaches people here on Earth,
and sometimes is revealed on the Day of Reckoning. Those who
show ingratitude and persist in what they do, are never safe from
the punishment that Allah is able to inflict upon them within an in-
stant. This reality is described as follows in the Qur'an:
Do you feel secure against Him causing the shore to swal-
low you up or sending against you a sudden squall of
stones? Then you will find no one to be your guardian. Or
do you feel secure against Him taking you back into it an-
other time and sending a violent storm against you and
drowning you for your ingratitude? Then you will find no
one to defend you against Us. (Surat al-Isra': 68-69)
The Prophet Muhammad (saas) expresses Allah's exalted justice
as follows:
"By Him in Whose hand my soul is, you must enjoin what is reputable and
forbid what is disreputable, or Allah will certainly soon send punishment
from Himself to you. Then you will make supplication and not receive an
answer." (Tirmidhi)

People cannot live their entire lives irresponsibly, because they are
accountable to Allah. To go against this would be to incur the severity
of Allah's punishment. To persist consciously with such behavior is
clear evidence of failure to appreciate the totality of Allah's power. If
Allah willed, He could at any moment withdraw all of the blessings
He has bestowed upon mankind. This is referred to in the Qur'anic
verses cited below:
If We wished, We could put out their eyes. Then, though they
might race for the path, how would they see?
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