take heed. A person may take heed and thereby come to fear Allah, or he may fear Allah and be prompted by that fear to take heed.

Qatādah expressed this meaning when he said: “By Allah, no servant has ever feared Allah without remembering Him.”

“But the most wretched will avoid it.”

Qatādah said: “No, by Allah, no servant turns away from this reminder out of disdain for it and hatred of it and its adherents unless he is plainly wretched.”

The unqualified mention of fear in the Quran encompasses fear of Allah and fear of His punishment in this world and the Hereafter. Allah Most High says:

“They ask you about the Hour: ‘When will it arrive?’ What have you to do with telling of it? Knowledge of its appointed time rests with your Lord. You are only a warner to those who fear it.”

And He Most High says:

“So remind with the Quran those who fear My warning.”

And He Most High says:

“It is Allah who has sent down the Book in truth, and the balance. And what will make you know? Perhaps the Hour is near. Those who do not believe in it seek to hasten it, while those who believe are fearful of it and know that it is the truth.”

And He says:

“They will say, ‘Previously, when we were among our families, we lived in fear. Then Allah bestowed His favor upon us and protected us from the punishment of the scorching Fire.’”