What is the criterion for fear of other than Allah that takes one out of the religion?
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The Shaykh : Yes.
The questioner : May Allah reward you. Regarding the issue of fear of other than Allah, what is the criterion by which one rules that a person’s fear takes him out of the religion or not?
The Shaykh : Fear of other than Allah, if it is dictated by nature and instinct, is nothing, and you have nothing to do with it. However, if the fear is for the sake of drawing near and magnifying, then that is what constitutes shirk (associating partners with Allah). There is nothing wrong with a person’s fear of a lion, his fear of fire, his fear of drowning, or his fear of an enemy. This is fine. But if the fear of the enemy, when jihad is obligatory, leads to abandoning jihad, then that is forbidden (haram), based on the saying of Allah the Exalted:[Ali 'Imran 3:175] Is that clear?
Now, is your fear of Allah like your fear of a lion? I am asking you.
The questioner : No.
The Shaykh : No, your fear of Allah is a fear of reverence, magnification, and awe. As for your fear of a lion, it is not like that; you fear only its harm and run away from it.
The questioner : Some Sufis fear the occupant of a grave.
The Shaykh : Yes?
The questioner : Some Sufis fear the occupant of a grave.
The Shaykh : This is shirk (associating partners with Allah).
The questioner : ...
The Shaykh : It is major shirk, because one does not fear the occupant of a grave, nor does one fear his supplication, because his deeds have been cut off, nor does one fear his harm, because his deeds have been cut off; he is unable to do anything because he is a corpse. This is shirk, major shirk, because it cannot be anything other than fear out of magnification, love, and the belief that he can benefit or harm, whereas he cannot benefit or harm.
The questioner : May Allah reward you. Regarding the issue of fear of other than Allah, what is the criterion by which one rules that a person’s fear takes him out of the religion or not?
The Shaykh : Fear of other than Allah, if it is dictated by nature and instinct, is nothing, and you have nothing to do with it. However, if the fear is for the sake of drawing near and magnifying, then that is what constitutes shirk (associating partners with Allah). There is nothing wrong with a person’s fear of a lion, his fear of fire, his fear of drowning, or his fear of an enemy. This is fine. But if the fear of the enemy, when jihad is obligatory, leads to abandoning jihad, then that is forbidden (haram), based on the saying of Allah the Exalted:
That is only Satan who frightens [you] of his supporters. So fear them not, but fear Me, if you are [indeed] believers.
إنّما ذلك الشّيطان يخوّف أولياءه فلا تخافوهم وخافوني إن كنتم مؤمنينNow, is your fear of Allah like your fear of a lion? I am asking you.
The questioner : No.
The Shaykh : No, your fear of Allah is a fear of reverence, magnification, and awe. As for your fear of a lion, it is not like that; you fear only its harm and run away from it.
The questioner : Some Sufis fear the occupant of a grave.
The Shaykh : Yes?
The questioner : Some Sufis fear the occupant of a grave.
The Shaykh : This is shirk (associating partners with Allah).
The questioner : ...
The Shaykh : It is major shirk, because one does not fear the occupant of a grave, nor does one fear his supplication, because his deeds have been cut off, nor does one fear his harm, because his deeds have been cut off; he is unable to do anything because he is a corpse. This is shirk, major shirk, because it cannot be anything other than fear out of magnification, love, and the belief that he can benefit or harm, whereas he cannot benefit or harm.