draw near to them with acts of devotion, offering sacrifices, vows, food, and even money that they throw upon the tombs, hoping thereby to escape their supposed harm or obtain their imagined benefit. This is the fear of worship.

The second type is natural fear: the fear a person feels toward something tangible that truly possesses the power to harm, such as a snake, a scorpion, or an enemy. These are visible, well-known dangers, and fearing them is not shirk; it is a natural reaction to a real, perceptible cause. One is expected to protect himself and be on guard—taking a weapon or a staff to kill the snake or scorpion or to fend off a predatory beast—because these are physical threats whose harm is evident. Feeling afraid of them, therefore, is called natural fear, not shirk.

For this reason Allah says about Moses—peace be upon him—“So he left the city fearful and vigilant” (al-Qasas 28:21); he was afraid of his enemies because he had killed one of them. He fled to Midian, constantly looking around in fear that they might overtake him. This is natural fear. Yet a believer must learn to seek refuge with Allah, make use of the means that ward off harm, rely upon Allah, and place his trust in Him. He said