Fear Quote by Fazlur Rahman
““Taqwā means to protect oneself against the harmful or evil consequences of one's conduct. If, then, by "fear of God" one means fear of the consequences of one's actions—whether in this world or the next (fear of punishment of the Last Day)—one is absolutely right. In other words, it is the fear that comes from an acute sense of responsibility, here and in the hereafter, and not the fear of a wolf or of an uncanny tyrant, for the God of the Qur’ān has unbounded mercy—although He also wields dire punishment, both in this world and in the hereafter.””
About This Quote
Source Book: Islam and Modernity, Fazlur Rahman, 1982
Taqwā is a conscious, responsible fear of God’s justice and mercy, guiding ethical behavior in this life and the afterlife.
In simple terms: Responsible fear of God that guides actions.
Key Takeaway
Cultivate ethical responsibility.
Themes
ethics
responsibility
spirituality
Mood
reflective
serious
Type
theological
ethical
When to use this quote
- personal decision making
- legal judgments
- community leadership
- interfaith dialogue
Key Concepts
Islamic theology
moral psychology
Questions to Reflect On
- How does responsible fear differ from terror?
- Can fear motivate positive change?
A Different Perspective
May be misinterpreted as mere terror rather than constructive accountability.
