Re: why do we fear God?
^ Bit complicated to explain so i won't bother since the 'no fear' crew will not believe me or look into it, or watever! :p
Ah, c'mon. This is all complicated stuff, don't assume yours is more complicated or well thought-out than others'. And please don't assume that all of us are closed-minded.
All in one:)
Not to all of us. :)
Re: why do we fear God?
All in one:)
For some reason I have never felt fear towards He/That Who/Which Created this Universe. Why fear such a Majestic Being? I do not think khaafa and khashiyata have been used in the sense of "fear" sense in the Quran. The same way "Merciful" used in the Arabic sense and English/Euro/Persian sense are completely different... The word for Merciful is Raheem ... It is interesting how that word comes from the root R-H-M which means WOMB.
Re: why do we fear God?
For some reason I have never felt fear towards He/That Who/Which Created this Universe. Why fear such a Majestic Being? I do not think khaafa and khashiyata have been used in the sense of "fear" sense in the Quran. The same way "Merciful" used in the Arabic sense and English/Euro/Persian sense are completely different... The word for Merciful is Raheem ... It is interesting how that word comes from the root R-H-M which means WOMB.
Salam brother h2k long time,
Let me first start,last year i started pondering that God has to be loved,praised thanked and they are varioous verses with respect to that.
So i came to a conclusion that God has to be loved only, but later a quranic verse proved me wrong.
According to me i am in still in search for a perfect answer, i am in the pursuit of it and Insha Allaah
Re: why do we fear God?
Salam brother h2k long time,
Let me first start,last year i started pondering that God has to be loved,praised thanked and they are varioous verses with respect to that.
So i came to a conclusion that God has to be loved only, but later a quranic verse proved me wrong.
According to me i am in still in search for a perfect answer, i am in the pursuit of it and Insha Allaah
Yes I think I know the verse you may be referring to; I and Bro Ahmad Bahgaat had a discussion/debate on it on FM a long time back :)
Re: why do we fear God?
You fear for your assets if you don't pay your debts.
I see no problem fearing God if you aren't paying your debt to Him.
Re: why do we fear God?
You fear for your assets if you don't pay your debts.
I see no problem fearing God if you aren't paying your debt to Him.
:) And to this I say, God is "Raheem": That which provides WITHOUT asking for anything in return.
We (should) "fear" the outcome of our actions, not God.
Re: why do we fear God?
:k:
Re: why do we fear God?
Yes I think I know the verse you may be referring to; I and Bro Ahmad Bahgaat had a discussion/debate on it on FM a long time back :)
Thats interesting,i think i better ask AB but he is been very busy over the days.
And to add to pico's point completely agree the time fear comes is when we are dong something illegal, and i feel this is necessary for really balanced world coz once this fear is out of the heart we will have no good people on the face of earth.
Re: why do we fear God?
But are peoples' good actions based on fear, really good people? Or just acting good? I think there's a difference. We should do the right things based on the right reasons, not for selfish ones based on fear. If for instance you want to help a little old lady cross the street, the right reason to do is selfless and obvious. The less impressive (spiritual) reason to do it would be for a reward of a quarter or you were afraid your daddy would spank you if you didn't.
A popular belief amongst atheists and agnotics is that is the reason man created religion was to keep those who aren't spiritual or without good morals in line. To appeal to their selfish emotions through fear or through some type of carnal reward in the hereafter.
Re: why do we fear God?
But are peoples' good actions based on fear, really good people? Or just acting good? I think there's a difference. We should do the right things based on the right reasons, not for selfish ones based on fear. If for instance you want to help a little old lady cross the street, the right reason to do is selfless and obvious. The less impressive (spiritual) reason to do it would be for a reward of a quarter or you were afraid your daddy would spank you if you didn't.
A popular belief amongst atheists and agnotics is that is the reason man created religion was to keep those who aren't spiritual or without good morals in line. To appeal to their selfish emotions through fear or through some type of carnal reward in the hereafter.
First the second paragraphy i agree with you semi.
The first paragraph for a person who believes in God has some basis of fear in him, that he is watching him/her and doesnt wanna do anything wrong.
Let it be stealing, raping or any other immoral acts.
I would slightly take back my point and accept yours because we cant generalize the issue that good things are done because of fear of something, but I am looking the evil part of it bad things are avoided inevitably due to some fear.
My point of generalizing was outwardly wrong, and I accept yours.
Re: why do we fear God?
[quote="Seminole, post:3097, topic:150990"]
Ah, And please don't assume that all of us are closed-minded.
CORRECTION I don't assume anyONE of being close minded!
Like salveofallah said, in a nutshell its done all in one!
Re: why do we fear God?
Peace All
Nice one picoico! in #45
To clarify this is how I see Taqwa ...
Consider the levels of God -Consciousness ...
Fear in Allah for His Anger > Fear in Allah from His Punishment > Repulsion from Punishment > Interest in Allah for His Pleasure> Intrigue in Allah for His Pleasure
Love in Allah for His Pleasure > Awe in Allah for His Pleasure > Fear in Allah for His Pleasure
The fear that is experienced at the lower levels are self-protecting ... the Fear one has for Allah (SWT) at the other end of spectrum is the natural conclusion to what comes after awe. Awe is a surprise attack of inspiration and enlightenment. Fear is what is experienced as a conclusion that progresses beyond awe.
Fear in magnificience of Allah (SWT) ... Has anyone ever thought of the exhiliration in a sky dive or a bungy jump? Well there is that fear that is intoxicating and occurs to the love or enjoyment of what comes with it.
When we truly know the Magnificient then that is what is experienced ... Fear most Beautiful ... That is taqwa!
Re: why do we fear God?
This fear God stuff is totally a lie created by those preaching islam for a living. So that peoiple can suspend reason and follow whatever they are told as mere sheep or worse.
God is God, all things good and for well being. Not to be feared but befriended.
It is shaitan that is feared.
Re: why do we fear God?
Fear is related to other negative emotional states such as worry, anxiety, fright, paranoia, horror, panic, dread and others that have absolutely nothing to do with the Glory that is God. It is not beautiful in the least.
Re: why do we fear God?
Fear is related to other negative emotional states such as worry, anxiety, fright, paranoia, horror, panic, dread and others that have absolutely nothing to do with the Glory that is God. It is not beautiful in the least.
You have answered fear with anxiety now you have hit the nail on the head. It is this anxiety which is leading to fear.
What is anxiety, we are anxious to know what will be the outcome of tomorrow. Similar to me writing an examination and hoping i get good results so that i obtain a scholarship it is this anxiety which leads to fear, it is this anxiety which lead to hope, it is this anxiety that leads to results being accountable.
Now this is the anxiety which we are waiting at the Judgement day, it is this anxiety which leads to results on Judgement day and it is this anxiety which leads to fear of the Judgement day which we are all accountable for our deeds.
That is the Judgement day in which God the Just will show us the path for the deeds we have done and hence we human beings are anxiously waiting to hope God through his mercy and forgiveness can provide us with a good life here after. So being anxious for the Judgement day is what leads to fear, not because we fear God but we fear our actions which will result in sealing our fate.
But if we already know the results of our actions, then there is no anxiety, no fear, no hope, no worry
Re: why do we fear God?
This fear God stuff is totally a lie created by those preaching islam for a living. So that peoiple can suspend reason and follow whatever they are told as mere sheep or worse.
God is God, all things good and for well being. Not to be feared but befriended.
It is shaitan that is feared.
Peace Tariq Akhtar
I as you can see am an advocate of the Fear in God concept which is primed and based in our Islamic traditions and teachings. I don't think calling this concept 'a lie' has been done with any fear of God in mind. You don't fear or believe one should not fear God, that is between you and your Lord. However, you fail in your allusion to this concept not being grounded in reason. It is indeed grounded in reason and tradition. Islam is a combination of naql and aql and we should not become like those people whose reason overpowered their abilty to follow nor should we allow our zeal to follow make us do so blindly without reason.
I presented my reasoning in the Fear of God concept ... dismantle it ... I can of course back up using scripture and more reason to support my stance. Are you game?
Re: why do we fear God?
You have answered fear with anxiety now you have hit the nail on the head. It is this anxiety which is leading to fear. What is anxiety, we are anxious to know what will be the outcome of tomorrow. Similar to me writing an examination and hoping i get good results so that i obtain a scholarship it is this anxiety which leads to fear, it is this anxiety which lead to hope, it is this anxiety that leads to results being accountable.
Now this is the anxiety which we are waiting at the Judgement day, it is this anxiety which leads to results on Judgement day and it is this anxiety which leads to fear of the Judgement day which we are all accountable for our deeds.
That is the Judgement day in which God the Just will show us the path for the deeds we have done and hence we human beings are anxiously waiting to hope God through his mercy and forgiveness can provide us with a good life here after. So being anxious for the Judgement day is what leads to fear, not because we fear God but we fear our actions which will result in sealing our fate.
But if we already know the results of our actions, then there is no anxiety, no fear, no hope, no worry
Peace brother SlaveofAllaah
May Allah (SWT) reward you many fold ... good catch ... What people fail to realise is that I think this is an element within the critical set of beliefs regarding Allah (SWT). The Muttaqun are people at the ultimate level of Islamic belief and this is being challenged here. SubhanAllah!
Re: why do we fear God?
Shaitan is not ur Lord and is not the one who is gonna be deiciding who goes to jannah and who doesn’t on Qiyamah (that is IF you believe in Qiyamah). It is rather Allah who outta be feared because He is the Lord and the one who created everything. Without His help, nothing can be done. Allah did not send each of us an angel telling us that so-and-so from us is gonna to go jannah so we can stop fearing Allah. Allah is the one who outta be feared and Allah is the one who will decide between us on Yaum-al-Qiyamah, nuff’ said :k:
Re: why do we fear God?
Salam brother Psyah,
Thanks for your kind words, and Allaah may increase your knowledge too, Ameen. YOu used the word Muttaqqun i was watching Qiyam al layl live from Makkah, guess what this is the verse i get, which answers all of them here.
007.035 *
**YUSUFALI:* O ye Children of Adam! whenever there come to you messengers from amongst you, rehearsing My signs unto you,- those who are righteous and mend (their lives),- on them shall be no fear nor shall they grieve. **
**PICKTHAL: O Children of Adam! When messengers of your own come unto you who narrate unto you My revelations, then whosoever refraineth from evil and amendeth - there shall no fear come upon them neither shall they grieve.
SHAKIR: O children of Adam! if there come to you messengers from among you relating to you My communications, then whoever shall guard (against evil) and act aright-- they shall have no fear nor shall they grieve.
Re: why do we fear God?
But are peoples' good actions based on fear, really good people? Or just acting good? I think there's a difference. We should do the right things based on the right reasons, not for selfish ones based on fear. If for instance you want to help a little old lady cross the street, the right reason to do is selfless and obvious.
What would you call "right reasons"? I my view, why most people do good is because they have been programmed to do good. The programming is the upbringing, culture, society, environment, education and other influences. Once these influences have molded the personality, it does not remain in ones control to diverge from the same. These influences limit your behavior to the norms of the society.
Again, most people do good is because it appears the right thing to do and it makes them feel good about themselves. So basically people do good to please themselves. Similar reasoning help me justify fear/reward of God as the most valid reason for doing good or staying away from bad; at least it is the least selfish of reasoning.