…desire (raghbah), fear (rahbah), and humility (khushu). These are the hallmarks of the prophets—peace be upon them—and each of them is an act of worship that must be directed to Allah alone. In this is a rebuttal of the Sufis who say, “We do not worship Allah out of desire for His reward or fear of His punishment; we worship Him purely out of love.” Such a statement is invalid, for the prophets themselves invoked Allah in both hope and fear, and they are the most perfect of creation. (19) Khashyah is a particular kind of fear, more specific than the general khawf; some define it as fear tinged with veneration. Allah says, “So do not fear them; rather, fear Me” (Q 2:150). He thus commands that khashyah be devoted to Him alone. In another verse He says, “So do not fear them; fear Me, and so I may perfect My favor upon you and that you may be guided” (Q 2:150). Concerning the devout in prayer He says, “And those who are apprehensive of the punishment of their Lord” (Q 70:27), meaning that they are fearful. These select servants of Allah fear Him, and regarding the angels He says, “They fear their Lord above them and do whatever they are commanded” (Q 16:50).