Fear of Allah

Allah is both merciful and forgiving. He forgives the sins on repentance and shows the right path. A person should keep Allah’s forgiveness in mind and do righteous deeds. However, an equally important thing is to keep within context is fear. Hope of mercy and fear of Allah’s wrath are like the wings of a bird, and a believer has to keep them balanced. The messenger of Allah and Quran told about stories and events that not only bought good tidings but also fear and dread of Allah’s rage on those who disobeyed Him. A person must be expectant when he reflects on the Mercy of Allah, and likewise be apprehensive of Allah’s wrath when reflecting on his own sins. Mans faith is in a constant state of rebellion to the orders of Allah and his own desires. A believer’s faith strengthens and his certainty increases with the fear of Allah. In Quran Allah has promised paradise and luxuries for those who follow him and has threatened with hell and hardships to those who disobey Him.  

The most sensitive time in a believer’s age is youth. This is the time of adolescence in which they can be lead astray from seerat-e-mustaqeem (the right path) easily and vulnerably. Thus a person should fear Allah so as to be saved from sins. On the contrary, a person should turn hopeful of Allah’s mercy and forgiveness when getting old because death is looming near. The person should turn to repentance and hence be desirous of Allah’s forgiveness. One should remember Allah all the time that is in times of happiness, celebrations and sadness etc. Emotions run high and often people act against the will of Allah. 

Fear prevents a person from committing sins. Today, hearts are rusting due to the height of evils a man does. A state comes when hearts die out completely and nothing can make them alive except Allah if he wishes to do so. Good and bad deeds cannot go hand in hand. Good deeds and sins are taking place side by side for example it’s a good deed to offer prayer but on the way back home a person starts looking at forbidden things. Thus a good deed is wasted.   People engaged in both good and bad at the same time? This is because we don’t fear Allah as they should. Allah says in the Holy Quran: 

"O you who believe! Have Taqwa (fear) of Allah and always speak the truth. He will direct you to do righteous and correct actions and will forgive you your sins and whoever obeys Allah and His Messenger has indeed attained a great achievement." [Soorah al-Ahzaab (33): 70]

and 

"Verily Allah accepts only from those who are the muttaqoon (those who posses Taqwa)." [Soorah al-Maaidah (19): 71-72]

Finally a Muslim should fear Allah the right way. He should not commit sins on the basis of asking mercy from Allah later on. Indeed Allah is the merciful and he forgives minor to major sins but that doesn’t mean we should test His temper because if He the Almighty decides to punish you then nothing in the world can save you. So fear him and avoid all those acts that He has forbidden.