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Response of a believer when told to fear Allah

Written by Abdullah Jallow on . Posted in Basics, Brotherhood, Contemporary Issues, Methodology - 'Manhaj', Morals and Manners - 'Akhlaaq', Purification of The Soul, Qur'aan, Repentance, Scholars of Islam, Sin, Worship - 'Ibaadah'.

In The Name of Allah, The Most Merciful, The Bestower of Mercy.

وَإِذَا قِيلَ لَهُ ٱتَّقِ ٱللَّهَ أَخَذَتۡهُ ٱلۡعِزَّةُ بِٱلۡإِثۡمِ‌ۚ

And when it is said to him, “Fear Allah”, he is led by arrogance to (more) crime.

[Al-Baqarah. 204-206]

Imam Muhammad Ibn Salih Al-Uthaymin, may Allah have mercy upon him, said:

This is the state of many a person when it is said to him, “Fear Allah”, he is led by arrogance and then says, “Am I a disobedient person; am I a criminal?! You fear Allah”. But there is one who when it is said to him, “Fear Allah”, he is shaken and what he holds in his hand drops out of fear of Allaah [The Mighty and Majestic]. This person is from the people of piety and those who are truly acquainted with the reality of affairs; but as for the second person, he is one led by arrogance, and Allah’s Refuge is sought. He is led by arrogance to sin and then would say, “I have not done anything!” “What have I done to the extent that you tell me to fear Allah?!” We say to this person, “You are not more fearful of Allah than the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him. Indeed, Allah said to him in the beginning of [Surah Al-Ahzaab] :[يَـٰٓأَيُّہَا ٱلنَّبِىُّ ٱتَّقِ ٱللَّهَ   – O Prophet! Fear Allah]; and in the final section of the Surah, Allah said: [يَـٰٓأَيُّہَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ ٱتَّقُواْ ٱللَّهَ وَقُولُواْ قَوۡلاً۬ سَدِيدً۬ا – O you who believe! Keep your duty to Allah and fear Him, and speak (always) the truth]. This includes everyone, even the Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him.

[An Excerpt from at-Taleeq Alaa As-Siyaasah Ash-Shar’iyyah. Page 264]