Hadith #3373

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Praise be to Allah, the Lord of all the worlds. May peace and blessings be upon our beloved Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), his pure progeny, and his noble companions.

The Arabic Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states,

إذا خِفْتَ المَخْلُوقَ فَرَرْتَ مِنْهُ۔

This can be translated as,

Whenever you fear the created [as opposed to the Creator], you flee from him.

Let us delve into the deeper meaning of this impactful Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) in light of the Quran. The word (khifta) "خِفْتَ" means to fear or be afraid, while (al-makhluq) "المَخْلُوقَ" refers to the created beings. It is important to note that this Hadith emphasizes the distinction between fearing Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) and fearing the creation.

In the Quran, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) repeatedly reminds us to fear Him alone. In Surah Al-Baqarah, verse 197, Allah says, (2:197)

And take provisions, but indeed, the best provision is Taqwa (fear of Allah). So fear Me, O you of understanding.

This verse highlights the importance of having fear and consciousness of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) in our hearts.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) reminds us that when we fear the creation, we should flee from it. This means that our fear should not lead us to submit or surrender to anyone or anything other than Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). We should not allow our fear to control us or dictate our actions. Instead, we should seek refuge in Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) and turn to Him for guidance and protection.

The Quran provides numerous examples of individuals who demonstrated this principle in their lives. Prophet Ibrahim (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) fearlessly stood against the idol-worshippers of his time, even though they threatened him with harm. In Surah Al-Anbiya, verse 68, Allah says, (21:68)

They said, 'Burn him and support your gods - if you are to act.'

Despite the immense pressure, Prophet Ibrahim (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) did not fear the created beings and instead relied solely on Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ).

Similarly, Prophet Musa (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) faced the tyrant Pharaoh, who claimed to be a god. In Surah Yunus, verse 83, Allah recounts the words of Prophet Musa (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) when he said, (10:83)

And Moses said, 'Indeed, I have sought refuge in my Lord and your Lord from every arrogant one who does not believe in the Day of Account.'

Prophet Musa (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) did not fear Pharaoh's power and instead sought refuge in Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ).

The consequences of fearing the creation rather than the Creator can be detrimental to our faith and well-being. When we fear the creation, we may compromise our principles, beliefs, and values. We may seek validation and approval from others, even if it means going against the teachings of Islam. This can lead to a loss of self-respect and a weakening of our relationship with Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ).

On the other hand, when we fear Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) alone, we are guided by His divine wisdom and mercy. We are not swayed by the opinions or actions of others. Our fear of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) becomes a source of strength and motivation to do what is right, even in the face of adversity.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) reminds us to direct our fear towards Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) alone and not towards the creation. We should not allow our fear to control us or lead us astray. Instead, we should seek refuge in Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) and rely on Him for guidance and protection. By doing so, we can maintain our faith, uphold our values, and find strength in our relationship with Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the ability to fear Him alone and seek His pleasure in all aspects of our lives.