Page 44 - Basic Tenets of Islam

BASIC TENETS OF ISLAM

understanding of these two kinds of fear, both expressed by
different words in Arabic. Worldly fears are usually caused
by a potential threat. For example, one may fear being

murdered. However, fear of Allah is different. Allah is the
All-Compassionate, the Most Merciful and the Most Just.
Therefore, fear of Allah implies showing respect to Him, the
All-Compassionate, the Most Merciful and the Most Just, and
avoiding exceeding His limits, rebelling Him and being of
those who deserve His punishment.
The consequences that a fear of Allah has on people make
this difference apparent. Faced with a deadly danger, a person
panics; seized with hopelessness and desperation, he fails to

exercise his reason and discover a solution. Fear of Allah,
however, actuates wisdom and adherence to one's conscience.
Through fear of Allah, a person is motivated to avoid that
which is evil, corruptive, and likely to cause either physical or
mental harm to him. Fear of Allah fosters wisdom and insight.
In a verse of the Qur'an, Allah informs us that it is through fear
of Allah that wisdom and understanding is acquired:
You who believe! If you have fear of Allah, He will give
you a criterion (by which to judge between right and
wrong) and erase your bad actions from you and forgive
you. Allah's favor is indeed immense. (Surat al-Anfal: 29)

Worldly fears cause man anxiety. Fear of Allah, however,
not only gives rise to increased spiritual strength, but also to
peace of mind.
It is through fear of Allah that man avoids those evil
actions displeasing Allah. In one verse of the Qur'an, it is

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