And He links turning to Him with fear in His saying:

“This is what you were promised—for everyone who repeatedly turns to Him and is mindful.”

“Whoever feared the Most Merciful unseen and came with a heart turned to Him.”

“Enter it in peace. This is the Day of Eternity.”

This is because whoever fears Allah must also place hope in Him and desire His mercy, and so turn to Him, love Him, and love worshipping and obeying Him. That is what saves him from what he fears and brings him what he loves. Such fear cannot exist in someone who is certain that he will be punished, for certainty of punishment is accompanied by despondency, despair, and utter hopelessness. This is not fear or apprehension. Fear and apprehension exist only alongside hope of deliverance.

For this reason, He says:

“You will see the wrongdoers fearful of what they have earned, yet it will befall them.”

Thus, whoever fears Allah turns to Him, as He says:

“And Paradise will be brought near to the righteous, not far away.”

“This is what you were promised—for everyone who repeatedly turns to Him and is mindful.”

“Whoever feared the Most Merciful unseen and came with a heart turned to Him.”

“Enter it in peace. This is the Day of Eternity.”

This occurs when fear and apprehension reach their fullness. In their initial stages, however, a person may fear punishment and the sin