Anees Bhayat
The Fear of Allāh Based on His Recognition
Aḥmad ibn ‘Āṣim رحمه الله said:
“Whoever has a better recognition of Allāh will be more fearing of Him, and the āyah of Allāh points towards this: ‘Only those of His slaves fear Allāh who are knowledgeable’[1], and so does the ḥadīth of the Prophet ﷺ: ‘I am the most aware of Allāh from amongst you, and the most fearing of Him.’[2]”[3]
[1] (35:28)
[2] Al-Bukhārī and Muslim
[3] Ibn Al-Qayyim in Madārij As-Sālikīn
وقال أحمد بن عاصم رحمه الله: من كان بالله أعرف كان له أخوف، ويدل على هذا قوله تعالى: إنما يخشى الله من عباده العلماء، وقول النبي : أنا أعرفكم بالله وأشدكم له خشيّة (متفق عليه)