or discouraged. This encompasses both the rights of Allah and the rights of His servants.

However, since fearing Allah sometimes means fearing punishment in a way that leads one to refrain from unlawful acts, its meaning is elaborated upon in the hadith of Mu‘ādh and likewise in the hadith of Abū Hurayrah—may Allah be pleased with them both—which al-Tirmidhī narrated and graded authentic:

“The Messenger of Allah was asked, ‘What most often brings people into Paradise?’
He replied, ‘Fear of Allah and good character.’
He was asked, ‘And what most often brings people into the Fire?’
He replied, ‘The two cavities: the mouth and the private parts.’”

In an authentic report, ‘Abdullāh ibn ‘Umar—may Allah be pleased with them both—said that the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said:

“The believers with the most complete faith are those with the best character.”

He thus linked completeness of faith to perfection of good character. It is well known that faith, in its entirety, consists of fearing Allah. This is not the place to detail the foundations and branches of fearing Allah, for they encompass the entire religion.

Nevertheless, the fountainhead and foundation of goodness is the servant’s sincere devotion to his Lord in worship and in seeking help, as in His words:

“You alone we worship, and You alone we ask for help.”

And His words:

“So worship Him and put your trust in Him.”

And His words:

“In Him I put my trust, and to Him I turn.”

And His words:

“So seek provision from Allah, worship Him, and be grateful to Him.”

The servant should thus sever his heart’s attachment to created beings, whether in seeking benefit from them or acting for their sake, and direct his aspirations to his Lord, Most High. This is achieved by continually supplicating to Him in every matter of poverty, need, fear, or anything else