A Few Miscellaneous Stories On The Fear of Allah

It is very difficult to cover all that is said in the Qur'an and the Hadith about the importance of fearing Allah. It may, however, be understood that fear of Allah is an essential step towards all spiritual advancement.

The Prophet Muhammad SAW said:

"Fear of Allah is the root of all wisdom."

Abdullah ibn Umar RA used to weep so much with the fear of Allah that he lost his eyesight. He said to somebody watching him:

"You wonder at my weeping. Even the sun weeps out of the fear of Allah."

On another occasion, Abdullah ibn Umar RA is reported to have said:

"Even the moon weeps with His fear."

The Prophet Muhammad SAW once passed by one of the Sahabah who was reciting the Qur'an.

When he came to the verse:

"And when the heaven splitteth asunder and becometh rosy like red hide." ( Surah 5: Ayat 37)

- the hair of his body stood on end, and he was nearly choked, with excessive weeping. He would cry and say:

"Alas, what will happen to me on the day when even the Heaven splitteth asunder. Woe is me!"

The Prophet SAW said to him:

"Your crying has made even the angels weep."


Once an Ansari sat and wept after Tahajjud, saying:

"I cry to Allah for protection from the Fire of Hell."

The Prophet SAW said to him:

"You have made the angels weep today."


Abdullah bin Rawahah RA was once weeping. His wife also began to weep on seeing him in this condition. He enquired of her:

"Why are you weeping?"

She replied:

"Whatever makes you weep makes me weep too."

He said:

"The idea that I have to cross the bridge of Sirat across Hell makes me weep. I don't know whether I shall be able to cross over or fall into Hell."


Zurarah bin Aufa RA was leading the Solat in a Musjid. When he recited the verse:

"For when the Trumpet shall sound; Surely that day will be a day of anguish!" (Surah 74: Ayat 8 & 9)

- he fell down and expired. People carried his body to his house.


Khulaid RA was saying his Salaat. During his Qirat (recitation), when he reached the verse:

"Every soul will taste of death." (Surah 3: Ayat 185)

- he began to repeat it again and again. He heard a voice from a corner of the room saying:

"How often are you going to repeat this verse? Your recitation has already caused the death of four Jinns."


There are many stories of this type. Fudhail RA, a famous Sheikh, says:

"Fear of Allah leads to everything that is good."


Shibli RA, another Sheikh of high position, says:

"Whenever I have felt Allah's fear in me, I have found a fresh door of knowledge and wisdom opened for me."


In a Hadith Qudsi (Divine Hadith), the Prophet Muhammad SAW is reported to have said that:

"Allah says: 'I do not impose two fears on my slave. If he does not fear me in this world, I shall give him fear in the next, and if he fears me in this world I shall save him from all fears in the Hereafter'."


The Prophet Muhammad SAW says:

"All things fear a person who fears Allah, while everything is a source of fear to him who fears somebody other than Allah."


Yahya bin Ma'az RA says:

"If a man fears Hell as much as he is afraid of poverty then he may enter into Paradise."


Abu Sulaiman Daarani RA says:

"There is nothing but ruin for a heart that is devoid of fear of Allah."


The Prophet SAW says:

"The face that gets wet with the smallest drop of tear from the fear of Allah is safe from entrance into the fire of Hell."


The Prophet SAW also said:

"When a Muslim shivers with the fear of Allah, his sins fall away from him like the falling leaves of a tree."


The dear Prophet SAW has said:

"A person weeping with fear of Allah cannot go to Hell until milk goes back into the teats (which is an impossibility)."


Hadhrat Uqbah bin Amir RA once inquired of the Prophet Muhammad SAW:

"What is the way to salvation?"

The Prophet SAW replied:

"Hold your tongue, stay indoors and cry over your sins."


Ummul Mu'mineen, A'ishah RA once inquired of the Prophet Muhammad SAW:

"Is there anybody among your followers who will go to Paradise without reckoning?"

The Prophet SAW replied:

"Yes - the person who often cries over his sins."


There is another Hadith, in which our dear Master, Muhammad SAW has said:

"No drop is more dear to Allah than two drops: a drop of tear shed in the fear of Allah; and a drop of blood shed in the path of Allah."


It is said in a Hadith that seven persons would be under the shade of the Arsh on the Day of Judgement. One of them would be the person who remembered Allah when all alone by himself, and tears flowed from his eyes with awe of Allah and in repentance for his sins.

Saiyidina Abu Bakr As-Siddiq RA says:

"One who can weep should do so, and one who cannot should make the appearance of a weeping person."


It is reported of Muhammad bin Munkadir RA that, when he wept, he smeared his tears over his face and beard saying:

"I have heard that the Fire of Hell does not touch the place touched by these tears."


Thabit Banani RA was suffering from a disease of the eyes. His doctor said to him:

"Your eyes would be all right, provided you do not weep in future."

Thabit RA replied:

"What is the good of an eye if it cannot shed tears."


Yazid bin Maisarah RA says:

"There can be seven reasons for weeping i.e. - extreme joy, insanity, extreme pain, horror, artifice, intoxication and Fear of Allah. A single tear shed in the Fear of Allah is sufficient to quench oceans of Fire of Hell."


Ka'ab Ahbar RA says:

"By Him who holds my life in His (hands), I love to weep for fear of Allah, with tears flowing down my cheeks, rather than spend a mountain of gold in charity."


There are numerous other sayings of the Sahabah RA and the pious people of the past - all indicating that weeping because of the Fear of Allah, and over one's sins, is very effective and beneficial in attaining spiritual elevation.

Nevertheless, we should never loose hope in Allah. Allah's Mercy is All-Embracing. Allah SWT is the Most Merciful out of all those capable of showing mercy.


Saiyidina Umar Al-Khattab RA says:

"If it be announced on the Day of Judgement that all except one individual shall go to Hell - my expectation of the Mercy of Allah would make me hope that I may be that chosen one. Again, if it be announced on that day that all except one individual shall go to Paradise - then my sins would make me fear that I may be that condemned one."


It is therefore necessary for us to have fear and hope placed together in our hearts. Especially when the time of death is approaching, we should have more hope than fear.

The Prophet Muhammad SAW says:

"None of you should die, except with a strong hope in the Mercy of Allah."

When Imam Ahmad bin Hanbal RA was about to approach his end, he sent for his son and asked him to read to him the Ahadith that induce hope in Allah and His Mercy.

The Prophet SAW Reprimands The Sahabah RA Laughing

Once, the Prophet Muhammad SAW came to the masjid for Solat, where he noticed some people laughing and giggling.

The Prophet SAW remarked:

"If you remembered your death, I would not see you like this. Think of your death often.

Not a single day passes when the grave does not call out: 'I am a wilderness', 'I am a place of dust', 'I am a place of worms'.

When a Mu'min is laid into the grave, it says: 'Welcome to you. It is good of you to have come into me. Of all the people walking on the earth, I liked you best. Now that you have come into me, you will see how I entertain you'. It then expands as far as the occupant can see. A door from Paradise is opened for him in the grave and, through this door, he gets the fresh and fragrant air of Paradise.

But when an evil man is laid in the grave it says: 'No word of welcome for you. Your coming into me is very bad for you. Of all the persons walking on the earth, I disliked you most. Now that you have been made over to me, you will see how I treat you!' It then closes upon him so much that his ribs of one side penetrate into the ribs of the other. As many as seventy serpents are then set upon him, to keep biting him till the Day of Resurrection. These serpents are so venomous that if one of them happened to spurt its venom upon the earth, not a single blade of grass would ever grow."

After that, the Prophet Muhammad SAW said:

"The grave is either a garden of Paradise or a pit of Hell."

Fear of Allah is the basic and essential qualification of a Muslim. The Prophet SAW advised Believers to remember death, off and on, and to keep the Fear of Allah ever present in their hearts.

The Prophet Muhammad SAW Passing Near The Ruins Of Thamud During The Tabuk Expedition

The Tabuk expedition is one of the major campaigns of the Prophet Muhammad SAW, and the last one in which he personally took part. When he received the news that the Caesar of Rome had mustered a large force to crush the power of Islam and was on his way through Syria to invade Madinah, he decided to lead the Sahabah RA to check him on his way.

On Thursday, 5th Rajab, in the 9th year of Hijrah - the devoted band marched out of Madinah. As the weather was hot and the fighting was expected to be very tough, the Prophet SAW made an open declaration that the Muslims should gather in strength and prepare fully to face the forces of the Roman Empire. The Prophet SAW also exhorted them to contribute towards the equipment of the expedition.

It was on this occasion that Saiyidina Abu Bakr As-Siddiq RA contributed all his belongings. When he was questioned by the Prophet SAW as to what he had left for his family, he replied:

"I have left Allah and His Prophet (SAW) for them."

Saiyidina Umar Al-Khattab RA contributed half of his belongings and Saiyidina uthman bin Affan RA provided for the equipment of one-third of the whole army. Although everybody, contributed beyond his means, yet the equipment fell far short of the requirements. Only one camel was available for each group of ten persons, who were to ride it in turn. This is why this campaign is known as - "The campaign of hardship."

The journey was long and the weather hot and dry. At that time, the orchards were laden with ripe dates - the staple crop of Madinah, and it was just the time for harvesting, when all of a sudden the Sahabah RA were required to start on this campaign. It was really an acid test of their Imaan. They visualised the long and arduous journey, the scorching heat, the formidable enemy opposing them and, to top all, the prospective loss of the year's crop. Nevertheless, they could not even dream of evading the call to arms, and that solely on account of the deep-rooted fear of Allah in their hearts.

Except the women, the children (who were excusable), those who were ordered to stay behind by the Prophet SAW himself, and the munafiqin, nearly everybody joined the expedition.

Also among those left behind were such persons who could neither arrange conveyance for themselves, nor was the Prophet SAW able to provide them with any. It is about such people that Allah says in the Qur'an:

"They turned back with eyes flowing with tears in sorrow that they could not find means to spend." (Surah 10: Ayat 92)

Of the true believers, those who stayed behind without any excuse whatsoever were three in number. (Their story would be related in another post InshaAllah.)

On their way to Syria when the expedition reached the habitation of Thamud, the Prophet SAW covered his face with his shirt and quickened the pace of his camel. He also instructed the Sahabah RA to do the same, since that was the scene of Thamud's destruction. They were advised to pass there weeping and fearing lest Allah should punish them as he had punished the Thamud. The dearest and the most beloved Prophet of Allah SAW and his privileged Companions RA pass by the ruins of the punished people in fear and tears, lest they meet the same fate.

On the other hand today, if any place is struck with an earthquake, it becomes a place of sightseeing for us and, if we come across any ruins, our eyes remain dry and our hearts unaffected. How hard and blind our hearts are.

An Admonition by Abdullah bin Abbas RA

Wahab bin Munabbah RA says:

"Abdullah bin Abbas (RA) lost his eyesight in his old age. I once led him to the Haram in Makkah, where he heard a group of people exchanging hot words among themselves. He asked me to lead him to them. He greeted them with 'Assalaamu'alaikum'.

They requested him to sit down, but he refused and said:

'May I tell you about people whom Allah holds in high esteem? These are those whom His fear has driven to absolute silence, even though they are neither helpless nor dumb. Rather they are possessors of eloquence and have power to speak and sense to understand. But constant glorification of Allah's name has so over-powered their wits that their hearts are overawed and their lips sealed. When they get established in this state, they hasten towards righteousness. Whither have you people deviated from this course?

After this admonition, I never saw an assembly of even two persons in the Haram."

It is said that Abdullah bin Abbas RA used to weep so much with Allah's fear that the tears streaming down his cheeks had left permanent marks on them. In this narration, Abdullah bin Abbas RA as prescribed a very easy way to righteousness. This is to meditate over the greatness of Allah. If this is done, it becomes very easy to perform all other acts of righteousness with full sincerity.

Is it so very difficult to devote a few minutes, out of the twenty four hours of a day at one's disposal, to this spiritual meditation?

Umar Al-Khattab RA's Fear of Allah

Umar Al-Khattab RA would often hold a straw in his hand and say:

"I wish I were a straw like this."

Sometimes he would say:

"I wish my mother had not given birth to me."

Once he was busy with some important work when a person came to him and, complaining about some petty grievance, requested for its redress. Umar RA laid a lash across his shoulders, saying:

"When I sit for that purpose, you do not come to me but when I am engaged in other important work you come with your grievances to interrupt me."

The person walked away. Umar RA then sent for him and, handing his whip over to him, said:

"You now lash me to even the matter."

The person said:

"I forgive you for the sake of Allah."

Umar RA went home, prayed a Solat of two raka'ats in repentance and upbraided himself saying:

"O, Umar! You were low but Allah elevated you. You were wandering astray but Allah guided you. You were base but Allah ennobled you and gave you sovereignty over His people. Now one of them comes and asks you for redress of the wrong done to him, and you beat him? What answer have you to give before Allah?"

He kept on chiding himself thus for a very long time.

Once Umar RA was going on his usual round towards Harrah (a suburb of Madinah) with his servant Aslam RA, when he saw a distant fire in the desert.

Umar RA said:

"There seems to be a camp. Perhaps, it is a caravan that could not enter the town due to night fall. Let's go and look after them and arrange for their protection during the night."

When he reached there, he found a woman and some children. The children were crying. The woman had a pan of water over the fire. Umar RA greeted her with salam and, with her permission, went near her.

(Conversation)

Umar:
"Why are these children crying?"

Woman:
"Because they are hungry."

Umar:
"What is in the pan?"

The Woman:
"Only water to soothe the (minds of the) children, so that they may go to sleep in the belief that food is being prepared for them. Aah! Allah will judge between Umar (RA) and me, on the Day of Judgement, for neglecting me in my distress."

Umar RA (weeping):
"May Allah have mercy on you! How can Umar know of your distress?"

The Woman:
"When he is our Amir, he must keep himself informed about us."

Umar RA returned to the town and straightway went to Baitul-Mal to fill a sack with flour, dates, fat and clothes, and also drew some money.

When the sack was ready, he said to Aslam RA:
"Now put this sack on my back, Aslam."

Aslam RA:
"No please, Amir-ul-Mu'mineen! I shall carry this sack."

Umar refused to listen to Aslam RA, even on his persistent requests to allow him to carry the sack, and remarked:
"What! Will you carry my load on the Day of Judgement? I must carry this bag, for it is I who would be questioned (in the Hereafter) about this woman."

Aslam RA most reluctantly placed the bag on Uma's RA's back, who carried it with a swift pace right to the woman's tent. Aslam RA followed at his heels. He put a little flour and some dates and fat in the pan and began to stir. He blew into the fire to kindle it.

The famous narration of Aslam RA is well-known:
"I saw the smoke passing through his thick beard."

After some time, the pottage was ready. He himself served it to the family. When they had eaten to their fill, he made over to them the little that was left for their next meal. The children were very happy after their meal and began to play about merrily.

The woman felt very grateful and remarked:
"May Allah reward you for your kindness ! In fact you deserve to take the place of Khalifah instead of Umar."

Umar RA consoled her and said:
"When you come to see the Khalifah, you will find me there."

He sat for a while at a place close by and kept on watching the children. He then returned to Madinah.

On his way back, he said to Aslam RA:
"Do you know why I sat there, Aslam? I had seen them weeping in distress; I liked to see them laughing and happy for some time."

It is said that Umar RA while leading Subuh Solat, he used to recite Surah Kahf, Taha and other such Surahs in his Solat, and would weep so much that his crying could be heard way back to several rows. Once he was reciting Surah Yusuf during Subuh. When he came to the verse:

"I only plead for my distress and anguish unto Allah," (Surah 12: Ayat 86)

- he wept so much that he could not recite any further. In Tahajjud, he would sometimes fall to the ground and would get indisposed with excessive weeping. Such was the fear of Allah in Umar RA whose name struck terror in the hearts of the mightiest monarchs of his time. Even today, the people are filled with awe when they read about him. Is there any person in power today who is prepared to show such kindness to the people in his charge?

Abu Bakr As-Siddiq RA's Fear of Allah

Saiyidina Abu Bakr As-Siddiq RA is the most exalted person after the Prophets AS. The Prophet Muhammad SAW himself conveyed to Abu Bakr RA the glad tidings that he will be the head of a group of people in Paradise.

The Prophet SAW once remarked:

"Abu Bakr's name shall be called out from all the gates of Paradise, and he will be the first of my followers to enter it."

With all these virtues and privileges, Abu Bakr RA used to say:

"I wish I were a tree that would be cut and done away with."

Sometimes he would say:

"I wish I were a blade of grass, whose life ended with the grazing by some beast."

Abu Bakr RA also said:

"I wish I were a hair on the body of a Mu'min."

Once he went to a garden, where he saw a bird singing. He sighed deeply and said:

"O, bird! How lucky you are! You eat, you drink and fly under the shade of the trees, and you fear no reckoning of the Day of Judgement. I wish I were just like you."

Rabiah Aslami RA narrates:

"Once I had some argument with Abu Bakr RA, during which he uttered a word that I did not like. He realised it immediately and said to me 'Brother, please say that word back to me in retaliation.'

I refused to do so. He persisted, and even spoke of referring the matter to the Prophet (SAW), but I did not agree to utter that word. He got up and left me. A few people of my clan remarked:

'Look! How strange! The person does wrong to you and, on the top of that, he threatens to complain to the Prophet (SAW).'

I said:

'Do you know who he is? He is Abu Bakr (RA). To displease him is to displease the Prophet (SAW) and to displease the Prophet (SAW) is to displease Allah, and if Allah is displeased then who can save Rabiah from ruin?'

I went to the Prophet (SAW) and narrated the whole story to him.

He (SAW) said:

'You were quite right in refusing to utter that word. But you could have said this much in reply:

'O, Abu Bakr, (RA) May Allah forgive you!"

Let us look at the fear of Allah in Abu Bakr RA !

He is so anxious to clear his accounts in this world that no sooner has a slightly unpleasant word been addressed by him to a person, than he regrets it and requests him to say that word back to him in retaliation. He is so particular in this that he threatens to have the retaliation done through the intervention of the Prophet SAW.

We are in the habit of saying offensive words to others, but we fear neither the retaliation nor the reckoning in the Hereafter.