Those who have hearts that tastes the presence of Allah...

Those who have hearts that tastes the presence of Allah (awj) and who continuously watch over their souls are punished with this type of fear. They always fear the fact that the grace of Allah (awj) could end for them and that the sweetness of Allah’s (awj) presence could vanish.

Those who have set foot in this way-station have themselves become subject to Divine Guile since they have left “the Giver” for His “gifts.” Allah (awj) says, “And for he who fears His Lord, there are two Gardens.” [^10] The fear of great souls who have living hearts: That means the acknowledgement of the greatness of Allah (awj). While witnessing the Beauty of Allah (awj), they also get a taste of His power.

His beauty has showed itself to them with ultimate coyness and His honour has manifested itself with the show of self-sufficiency. Therefore the situation of the special friends of Allah (awj) differs from that of other people. The fear that occurs from witnessing the greatness of Allah (awj), and the manifestations of the Names of Allah (awj) unto their hearts, increases every moment. They are drowned in such spiritual pleasures.

This fear doesn’t contradict the verse of the Qur`an that states: “Know that the friends of God have no fear nor are they sad. ”[^11] Because of this we say to Imam al-Zaman (ع), “Peace be upon you O Pure One who fears the greatness of Allah, Almighty.”[^12] Brief Answer Detailed Answer [^1]: Bihar al-Anwar, vol.71 pg. 360: وَ أَوْصَانِي أَنْ لاَ أَخَافَ فِي اللٌّهِ لَوْمَةَ لاَئِمٍ. [^2]: Mizan al-Hikmah, no. 5258: إِنَّ الْمُؤْمِنَ وَلِيُّ اللٌّهِ ... وَ لاَ يَخَافُ غَيَرَهُ.

[^3]: Surat Ali-’Imran (3), Verse 175:  إِنَّــمَا ذٌلِكُمُ الشَّيْطَانُ يُخَوِّفُ أَوْلِيَآءَهُ فَلاَ تَخَافُوهُمْ وَخَافُونِي إِنْ كُنْـتُمْ مُؤْمِنِينَ  [^4]: Mizan al-Hikmah, no. 5178: اَلْخَوْفُ جِلْبَابُ الْعَارِفِينَ. [^5]: Mizan al-Hikmah, no. 5195: مَنْ کَانَ بِاللٌّهِ أَعْرَفَ کَانَ مِنَ اللٌّهِ أَخْوَفَ. [^6]: Mi’raj al-Sa’adah [^7]: Muntakhab Mizan al-Hikmah, no. 2000: إِذَا خِفْتَ الْخَالِقَ فَرَرْتَ إِلَيْهِ إِذَا خِفْتَ الْمَخْلُوقَ فَرَرْتَ مِنْهُ.

[^8]: Surat al-Nazi’at (79), Verse 40-41:  وَأَمَّا مَنْ خَافَ مَقَامَ رَبِّهِ وَنَهَى النَّفْسَ عَنِ الْهَوَى.

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