Fear, a word. Currently, it is the most used word overall in the world. Everyone knows why: because of the fear of being infected from Novel Coronavirus.
However, in Pakistan, due to our weird mores and strange culture, our people are confused with the word fear. Some said never fear. Some said Muslims have nothing to do with fear. Some said Pakistanis are a brave nation; they never fear. I have listened to them all. Wherever you go, these two words: Coronavirus and Fear is part and parcel of every discussion. I told them, there does exist a right to fear. Indeed, there exists a right to fear God.
Rights and liabilities are two sides of the same coin. Wherever there is a right, there is a liability. When I told my colleagues that there is a right to fear. All of their self-made theological and brave philosophies come directly in contradistinction to mine. Because it puts a liability onto humanity to fear.
Before answering the questions are: What is fear? Why it exists? What is its purpose? Is it bad to fear? Or is it good not to fear? In my research, I open the Quran to find answers.
Here is it what briefly I have found.
The dictionary defines fear as an “ unpleasant emotion caused by the threat of danger, pain, or harm”. One of the purposes of fear is survival. It is natural. By natural means, it is too a creation of God.
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When God said: “That is Allah, your Lord; there is no deity except Him, the Creator of all things, so worship Him. And He is Disposer of all things”. (Al-Quran: Surah #6, Ayat #102). Thus, He creates fear as well. As he says “and He creates that which you do not know” (Al-Quran: Surah #16 Ayat #8), therefore, every human emotion including the fear also has been created by Him Almighty with a certain purpose. Here you will find the purpose.
He orders humanity to fear at many places in the Quran: to fear from hell (Al-Quran: Surah #2, Ayat #24) (Al-Quran: Surah #3, Ayat #131); to fear from judgment day (Al-Quran: Surah #2, Ayat #48, 281); and above all to fear from Him Almighty (Al-Quran: Surah #2, Ayat #41, 74, 105, 196, 197, 203, 278)
The reasons to fear are as follows:
Fear Him because he has a right to be feared: “O you who have believed, fear Allah as He should be feared and do not die except as Muslims” (Al-Quran: Surah #3, Ayat #102)
Fear Him because He said: “And fear Allah and know that Allah is with those who fear Him” (Al-Quran: Surah #2, Ayat #194).
Fear Him because there is a reward to fear from Him: “but those who fear Allah are above them on the Day of Resurrection” (Al-Quran: Surah #6, Ayat #212)
Fear Him so that you may be successful: “But fear Allah that you may be successful” (Al-Quran: Surah #3, Ayat #103)
Above all, Fear Him because He said loves God-fearer: “But yes, whoever fulfills his commitment and fears Allah; then indeed, Allah loves those who fear Him”. (Al-Quran: Surah #3, Ayat #76)
So whether should we fear from pandemic caused by Novel Coronavirus. No, certainly not. Rather it is a testing period for us. Be patient and fear from Him who creates Novel Coronavirus.
In this regard, as Almighty Allah said: “and We will surely test you with something of fear and hunger and a loss of wealth and lives and fruits, but give good tidings to the patient”. (Al-Quran: Surah #2, Ayat #155)
So, what should we do?
In these testing times, we have two recourse to adopt: one, patience and second, fear of Allah.
As it is said in Quran: “You will surely be tested in your possessions and in yourselves… but if you are patient and fear Allah; indeed, that is of the matters (worthy) of determination. (Al-Quran: Surah #3, Ayat #186)
The next question is: What will be the result if we adopt these two measures?
The answer is: and those who fear Him here, at the end “There will be no fear concerning them, nor they will grieve” (Al-Quran: Surah #6, Ayat #262, 274, 277)
Here, one may raise the question, how do we know that Novel Coronavirus is a test for us?
Hazrat Ali (R.A) said in this regard: “the difficulty which leads you away from God is a torment, and the difficulty which brings you near to God is a test”
So, take the testing times in a positive sense, as a means of nearness to God, and reform yourselves: “Oh you who have believed, fear Allah and seek the means (of nearness) to Him and strive in His cause that you may succeded” (Al-Quran: Surah #5, Ayat #35)
In a nutshell, it is time not to fear from any virus or from being infected. As God said: “that is only Satan who frightens (you) of his supporters. So fear them not, but fear Me. If you are believers. (Al-Quran: Surah #3, Ayat #175). So, it is time to fear Him. It is time to fear the Creator of all things. The creator of Novel Coronavirus as well.
Lastly, it is time to quarantine ourselves from all evils and bad deeds. It is time to isolate our hearts from jealousy, greed, grudge, ill-will, and every evil thought.
It is time to reform ourselves, as it is written in the Holy Quran “…then, whoever fears Allah and reforms; there will be no fear concerning them, nor will they grieve” (Al-Quran: Surah #7, Ayat #35). And if we fear from Him right now then surely He will save us; since He promised to do so: “Unquestionably, (for) the allies (friends) of Allah there will be no fear concerning them, nor will they grieve” (Al-Quran: Surah #10, Ayat #62).
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So, let’s do friendship with Him; remember, He loves us seventy times more than our mothers do. Fear Him and pray Him.
The writer is an advocate of the high court and writes on various topics. He can be reached at Khokhar.azeem@yahoo.com. His articles can be accessed on hmazeem.blospot.com. He holds an LL.M. from the Punjab University and teaches and practices law.
The views expressed in this article are author’s own and do not necessarily reflect the editorial policy of GVS.