53 – Chapter: Combining Fear and Hope

Know that while a servant is in good health, the preferred state is to maintain both fear and hope, keeping the two in equal measure. When illness strikes, however, he should devote himself wholly to hope.

The principles of the Sacred Law—drawn from the Qur’an, the Sunnah, and other evidences—stand together in affirming this balance. Allah the Exalted says:

“None feels secure from the scheme of Allah except the losers.” (Al-A‘raf 7:99)

And He says: “None despairs of relief from Allah except the disbelieving people.” (Yusuf 12:87)

And He says: “On that Day some faces will turn white while others will turn black.” (Al-‘Imran 3:106)

And He says: “Indeed, your Lord is swift in punishment, and yet He is Forgiving, Merciful.” (Al-A‘raf 7:167)

And He says: “Surely the righteous will be in bliss, whereas the wicked will be in a blazing Fire.” (Al-Infitar 82:13–14)

And He says: “As for the one whose scales are heavy, he will enjoy a pleasant life; but as for the one whose scales are light, his mother will be the abyss.” (Al-Qari‘ah 101:6–9)

Verses of this purport are many. Fear and hope may therefore be joined in two consecutive verses, in several verses, or even within a single verse.

1/443 – Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said: “If the believer knew what punishment Allah holds, no one would still aspire to His Paradise; and if the disbeliever knew what mercy Allah holds, no one would despair of His Paradise.” Related by Muslim.

2/444 – Abu Saʿid al-Khudri (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said: “When …”