How to not fear God and yet understand His majesty?

Your question is profound and insightful, reflecting a deep understanding of the relationship between humanity and its Creator. When many people hear the phrase 'fear of God,' they immediately conjure an image of an angry, punitive deity, leading to anxiety and apprehension. However, the Quranic teachings offer a much nobler and more comforting meaning for this concept, one that not only does not contradict the understanding of Divine majesty but is complementary and essential to it. In fact, 'fear of God' in the Holy Quran primarily signifies 'Khashyah' (reverential awe), 'Taqwa' (piety), and 'God-consciousness,' rather than paralyzing 'terror' or 'dread.' This fear stems from knowledge, deep recognition, and profound respect for the Lord's divine station, rooted in an understanding of His infinite power, wisdom, justice, and mercy. It is this kind of fear that compels a person to obey and abstain from sin, knowing that Allah is All-Aware and All-Capable, and will reward or punish every action. This fear, far from disrupting peace, actually brings inner tranquility and guides one towards felicity. To grasp this delicate balance between 'not fearing' (in the sense of unwarranted terror and anxiety) and 'understanding majesty' (in the sense of Khashyah and Taqwa), it is essential to turn to the verses of the Holy Quran. The Quran teaches us that true Khashyah of God is, in fact, a product of deep knowledge and recognition of Him. In Surah Fatir, verse 28, Allah states: "Indeed, only those fear Allah from among His servants who have knowledge." This verse clearly indicates that genuine and constructive fear of God does not arise from ignorance, but from the pinnacle of knowledge and awareness of Him. The more one comprehends Allah's greatness, power, wisdom, and knowledge, the more humble one becomes before Him, and the more one becomes wary of doing anything that might displease Him. This God-consciousness is precisely a movement towards Divine proximity and attaining His pleasure. Understanding Divine majesty is achieved through contemplation of Allah's signs in the horizons and within ourselves. The creation of the heavens and the earth, the unparalleled order of the universe, the complexities of human existence, and Allah's infinite power in managing all affairs are all signs of His greatness and glory. When we observe the grandeur of mountains, the vastness of oceans, the intricate details of cells, and the precise movement of planets, we instinctively bow in reverence before the boundless power of their Creator. This understanding of majesty signifies the realization of Allah's Jalal (Majesty) and Kamal (Perfection), which instills in humanity a sense of humility and absolute servitude. This feeling is not one of insignificance but rather one of absolute dependence on the Self-Sufficient and All-Powerful Creator, leading to peace and assurance, for one knows that their reliance is on an infinite power. Verse 255 of Surah Al-Baqarah, famously known as Ayatul Kursi, is a prime example of the description of Allah's grandeur and majesty. In this verse, we read: "Allah - there is no deity except Him, the Ever-Living, the Sustainer of [all] existence. Neither slumber overtakes Him nor sleep. To Him belongs whatever is in the heavens and whatever is on the earth. Who is there that can intercede with Him except by His permission? He knows what is before them and what will be after them, and they encompass not a thing of His knowledge except for what He wills. His Kursi extends over the heavens and the earth, and He feels no fatigue in guarding and preserving them. And He is the Most High, the Most Great." This verse, by comprehensively describing divine attributes such as eternal life, self-subsistence, freedom from slumber or sleep, absolute ownership of existence, all-encompassing knowledge, and infinite power to preserve the heavens and the earth, fills the human heart with awe and reverence for Allah. Contemplating this verse does not bring fear or dread; rather, it increases assurance and reliance in the heart of the believer, for they know they are under the protection of an infinite power from whose domain nothing is outside. Therefore, the main strategy to achieve this balance is to increase one's knowledge and understanding of Allah. The more we learn about His names and attributes, the more we ponder His signs (both in the Quran and in creation), and the more we reflect on our actions and their consequences before Divine justice, the closer we come to that desired 'Khashyah' and 'Taqwa.' This Khashyah is the awe of a repentant servant before a Most Merciful and Wise Lord, which leads him to repentance and return, not the fear of a servant before an unjust master. This is the state of 'Khawf wa Raja' (fear and hope) that places the believer between the fear of punishment and the hope for Divine mercy. This state is what the Quran describes in Surah Az-Zumar, verse 23: "Allah has sent down the best statement: a consistent Book wherein is reiteration. The skins of those who fear their Lord shiver therefrom; then their skins and their hearts relax at the remembrance of Allah. That is the guidance of Allah by which He guides whom He wills. And he whom Allah leaves astray - there will be for him no guide." This verse describes how the skins of those who fear their Lord shiver upon hearing the divine verses (a sign of majesty and awe), then their skins and hearts soften and relax at the remembrance of Allah. This is the desired balance: initial trembling from majesty, followed by peace through His remembrance. This is a constructive and spiritual fear that awakens a person from heedlessness and guides them towards a continuous presence with God, not a fear that paralyzes life. This deep understanding of God's majesty leads to submission and inner contentment, which is the highest degree of peace. A believing life flourishes under this balance of hope in Divine mercy and fear of His justice, achieving true tranquility.