Page 56 - Fear of Allah

FEAR OF ALLAH
Without doubt being burnt alive is a terrible punishment but in the
case of the Prophet Ibrahim (as) Allah had ordered the fire to be "cool-
ness and peace" for him and it did not cause him any pain or suffering.
Distress, harm and misfortune are a punishment or warning which
occur only as a result of a person's own incorrect manner and bad be-
havior: "Any disaster that strikes you is through what your own
hands have earned…" (Surat ash-Shura: 30).
Otherwise, for a sincere believer who fears Allah to the best of his
ability and who is constantly mindful of Allah's approval in his con-
duct, punishment is not an issue.
All the hardships which true believers experience in this world
are confronted as tests which only enhance the respect and fearful
awareness they have towards Allah, as well as further increasing
their desire for the Garden. A true believer is aware that these hard-
ships are created for him as a trial and a learning experience, and as
opportunities for displaying good conduct, exercising patience and
as long as he relies on Allah, as an opportunity for reward in the
Hereafter. The Qur'an mentions the particular quality of being able
to view all events as an opportunity, in connection with those who
truly believe and who are fearfully aware of Allah, Allah states as
follows in one of His verses:
When those who fear Allah are asked, "What has your Lord
sent down?" their reply is, "Good!" There is good in this world
for those who do good, and the abode of the Hereafter is even
better. How wonderful is the abode of the righteous [who fear
Allah]. (Surat an-Nahl: 30)
The death of a true believer who has lived on Earth in righteous-
ness will be good and easy, his afterlife will commence with the wel-
coming of angels, and its continuation will be the comfort and ease
that awaits every true believer.

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