Page 16 - Perfected Faith

14
PERFECTED FAITH

If We Had sent down this Qur'an upon a mountain, you would
have seen it humbled, crushed to pieces out of fear of Allah. In
such parables We speak to people so that hopefully they may
reflect. (Surat al-Hashr, 21)
As the above verse states, the fear of those who have a deep faith in
Allah is intense and deep.
The fear of Allah that the people of perfected faith feel is very in-
tense yet, by no means, distressing such as the false fears experienced
by those who do not live by the values of the Qur'an. This is the kind
of fear which is based on the profound respect and inner love that
caused believers to be devoted to Allah, their Creator. This is a fear
that gives man zeal, excitement and determination. This is, moreover,
the kind of fear that makes man avoid any deed that would not please
Allah. This is the fear that prompts believers to engage in good deeds,
imbues them with the good morals prescribed by Islam and thus is a
feeling that provides "spiritual satisfaction". This fear can be felt only
through the deep love one has for Allah. People of faith love Allah as
much as they fear Him. These two concepts remain side by side in a
believer's heart and remain as two important signs of perfected faith.
What makes people of perfected faith apprehensive about their
Lord is their proper appreciation of Him. Allah is al-Qahhar (the All-
Conquering, the One Who, by His Might, has subdued everything He
created to His Authority and Power), al-Mu'adhdhib (the Tormentor),
al-Muntaqim (the Avenger), as-Sa'iq (He Who drives to hell), al-Muthill
(the One Who debases or humiliates whomsoever He pleases).
Believers, who are aware of these attributes of Allah, know that He
can inflict any form of punishment on anyone at any time He wills.
They are aware that only those who carry out their duty to Allah can
be saved from this punishment. For this reason, they fear nobody but
Allah, the Almighty.