Quranic Answer
The fear of being judged by others is a profoundly human and widespread experience, rooted in both psychological and social dimensions. Many of us, at various points in our lives, have grappled with the pervasive concern of what others think about us, what judgments they might pass, and whether our actions or decisions will gain societal approval. This fear can become a significant barrier to personal growth, self-expression, and even the achievement of our goals. However, if we examine this issue through the lens of the rich teachings of the Holy Quran, we can uncover profound and liberating truths that not only help us overcome this fear but also transform our perspective on the true value of a human being and the meaning of life itself. The Holy Quran, rather than directly addressing the psychological concept of "fear of judgment," provides a comprehensive and divine framework for a believer's life, in which the central pivot is attention to and reliance upon Almighty God. From the Quranic perspective, the only true and absolute judgment is that of Allah. Human judgments, while potentially influential, are inherently limited, changeable, and often based on superficial appearances. Human beings are, ultimately, mere creations of Allah, and their power of judgment is insignificant compared to the boundless knowledge and wisdom of the Divine. In Surah Al-Mulk, verse 13, we read: "وَأَسِرُّوا قَوْلَكُمْ أَوِ اجْهَرُوا بِهِ ۖ إِنَّهُ عَلِيمٌ بِذَاتِ الصُّدُورِ" (And conceal your speech or publicize it; indeed, He is Knowing of that within the breasts.) This verse clearly illustrates that nothing is hidden from Allah, neither outward actions nor inward intentions. When we understand that the only One who is aware of everything and the only absolute Judge is Him, there remains no compelling reason for excessive fear of imperfect human judgments. The Quran invites believers to cultivate "Tawakkul" (reliance on God) and "Ikhlas" (sincerity). Tawakkul signifies complete trust and dependence on Allah. When a person genuinely places their reliance upon Allah, the prospect of losing others' approval or being criticized by them ceases to instill dread. This is because they understand that ultimate reward and support come from their Lord. In Surah Al-Imran, verse 175, it is stated: "إِنَّمَا ذَٰلِكُمُ الشَّيْطَانُ يُخَوِّفُ أَوْلِيَاءَهُ فَلَا تَخَافُوهُمْ وَخَافُونِ إِنْ كُنْتُمْ مُؤْمِنِينَ" (It is only Satan who frightens [you] with his allies; so fear them not, but fear Me, if you are [true] believers.) This verse directly addresses the issue of fear and provides its solution in fearing Allah alone (Khawfat Allah) and not fearing creation. Satan, through the whispers of fear of people, attempts to divert humans from the path of truth or to deter them from performing good deeds. Ikhlas (sincerity) is another Quranic strategy for overcoming this fear. Sincerity means performing all actions and acts of worship purely and solely for the pleasure of Allah, free from any taint of showing off (riya') or pretense. When one's intention is sincere, and their sole aim is to please the Lord, they no longer care what people think or what judgments they pass. This is an unparalleled freedom that liberates a person from the servitude of their ego and the servitude of people. The Quran repeatedly emphasizes the necessity of sincerity in action. For instance, in Surah Al-Bayyinah, verse 5, it states: "وَمَا أُمِرُوا إِلَّا لِيَعْبُدُوا اللَّهَ مُخْلِصِينَ لَهُ الدِّينَ حُنَفَاءَ وَيُقِيمُوا الصَّلَاةَ وَيُؤْتُوا الزَّكَاةَ ۚ وَذَٰلِكَ دِينُ الْقَيِّمَةِ" (And they were not commanded except to worship Allah, [being] sincere to Him in religion, inclining to truth, and to establish prayer and to give zakah. And that is the correct religion.) This verse establishes the fundamental basis of religion upon sincerity. The fear of others' judgment often stems from an unhealthy dependence on external validation. The Quran, instead of external validation, emphasizes internal affirmation and divine pleasure. If our actions are performed according to divine commands and with a sincere intention, even if they are subjected to negative judgment from others, their value is preserved in the sight of Allah. In Surah At-Tawbah, verse 105, we read: "وَقُلِ اعْمَلُوا فَسَيَرَى اللَّهُ عَمَلَكُمْ وَرَسُولُهُ وَالْمُؤْمِنُونَ ۖ وَسَتُرَدُّونَ إِلَىٰ عَالِمِ الْغَيْبِ وَالشَّهَادَةِ فَيُنَبِّئُكُمْ بِمَا كُنْتُمْ تَعْمَلُونَ" (And say, 'Do [as you will], for Allah will see your deeds, and [so will] His Messenger and the believers. And you will be returned to the Knower of the unseen and the witnessed, and He will inform you of what you used to do.') This verse emphasizes that our deeds are observed not only by people (the believers) but, more importantly, by Allah and His Messenger. This perspective shifts the axis of human attention from creation to the Creator. From the Quranic perspective, the true worth of a human being lies not in what people say about them, but in their faith, piety, and righteous deeds. In Surah Al-Hujurat, verse 13, it states: "إِنَّ أَكْرَمَكُمْ عِنْدَ اللَّهِ أَتْقَاكُمْ" (Indeed, the most noble of you in the sight of Allah is the most righteous of you.) This verse provides a divine criterion for evaluation that is independent of superficial human opinions and judgments. Focusing on piety and servitude to Allah liberates a person from the shackles of human considerations and allows them to seek only divine pleasure. To overcome this fear, the Quran also offers practical strategies. One of them is the continuous practice of reflection and contemplation on divine verses. The more a person becomes acquainted with the grandeur of Allah and the smallness and limitations of creation, the less this fear affects them. Furthermore, strengthening faith and connection with Allah through prayer (Salah), supplication (Dua), and recitation of the Quran, provides inner peace that shields one from the turbulence of external judgments. Possessing a divine self-esteem, which is based on understanding the dignity and status of a human being as Allah's vicegerent on earth, also contributes to reducing this fear. A believing person knows that their honor comes through their connection with Allah, not through the approval of others. Finally, understanding that both negative and positive judgments from people are fleeting and transient is crucial. Neither the praise of people should make one arrogant nor their blame should make one despair. The only thing that is lasting and true is one's relationship with their Lord and the consequences of their deeds in the divine presence. The Holy Quran teaches us that instead of expending our energy trying to please people and escape their judgments, we should direct all our efforts toward gaining the pleasure of the Almighty Creator. This shift in perspective not only grants a person peace and freedom but also strengthens them on the path of fulfilling the primary purpose of creation, which is servitude to Allah. This insight enables us to build our lives with strength and confidence based on divine values, without fear of the judging tongues and gazes of people.
Related Verses
إِنَّمَا ذَٰلِكُمُ الشَّيْطَانُ يُخَوِّفُ أَوْلِيَاءَهُ فَلَا تَخَافُوهُمْ وَخَافُونِ إِنْ كُنْتُمْ مُؤْمِنِينَ
It is only Satan who frightens [you] with his allies; so fear them not, but fear Me, if you are [true] believers.
Al-Imran : 175
وَقُلِ اعْمَلُوا فَسَيَرَى اللَّهُ عَمَلَكُمْ وَرَسُولُهُ وَالْمُؤْمِنُونَ ۖ وَسَتُرَدُّونَ إِلَىٰ عَالِمِ الْغَيْبِ وَالشَّهَادَةِ فَيُنَبِّئُكُمْ بِمَا كُنْتُمْ تَعْمَلُونَ
And say, 'Do [as you will], for Allah will see your deeds, and [so will] His Messenger and the believers. And you will be returned to the Knower of the unseen and the witnessed, and He will inform you of what you used to do.'
At-Tawbah : 105
وَأَسِرُّوا قَوْلَكُمْ أَوِ اجْهَرُوا بِهِ ۖ إِنَّهُ عَلِيمٌ بِذَاتِ الصُّدُورِ
And conceal your speech or publicize it; indeed, He is Knowing of that within the breasts.
Al-Mulk : 13
Short Story
In ancient times, in the city of Shiraz, where gardens of knowledge and wisdom bloomed, there lived an ascetic and pious man named Sheikh Saleh. He had dedicated his entire life to worship and serving God's creation. The people of the city held him in high esteem and respected him, yet Sheikh Saleh never became attached to their praise and admiration, nor did he fear their criticism or condemnation. He always used to say, "My concern is with my inner self, not with the outward appearance of creation." One day, as Sheikh Saleh was passing through the market, he saw a group of ignorant youths mocking him and laughing at his simple attire. One of the Sheikh's young and devoted disciples, who witnessed this scene, became intensely angered and wanted to respond to them. But Sheikh Saleh calmed him down and, with a smile that indicated his inner peace, said, "My son, why do you trouble your heart with the empty and baseless words of people? Will these people judge you on the Day of Resurrection, or will the Lord of all worlds?" The disciple asked in astonishment, "But, O Sheikh, should not your dignity be preserved, and people be aware of your worth and status?" Sheikh Saleh sighed and replied, "My true worth is with my Creator, not in the eyes of a creature who praises me today and might condemn me tomorrow. If I perform my deeds for the pleasure of the Truth, what harm is it if an ignorant person calls me foolish, or a wise person praises me? They are like a fleeting breeze that blows upon the branches and leaves of a tree; if the roots of the tree are firm, it will never bend from these winds." Then Sheikh Saleh recounted the story of a man who was always concerned about the judgment of others: "There lived a man in a village whose sole endeavor was to appear virtuous and flawless in the eyes of his neighbors. Whatever he did, he first considered what people would say. If he wore clothes, he worried if they would be approved by others. If he bought something, he wondered if his neighbors would deem it appropriate. Even in his acts of worship, he sometimes paid more attention to their outward appearance than to a sincere intention, out of fear of people's judgment. One day, he decided to build a wall for his house. While building, a neighbor passed by and said, 'This wall is crooked and will soon collapse.' The man immediately tore down the wall and rebuilt it. Another came and said, 'This wall is too high and blocks the sunlight from the neighbor's house.' The man again demolished the wall and made it shorter. A third came and said, 'This wall is too short and offers no security.' The man grew tired and heartbroken from all these opinions and judgments. He spent his entire life trying to gain people's satisfaction, but he never succeeded. His house remained unfinished, and he himself was constantly anxious and worried lest someone judge him." Sheikh Saleh continued, "My son, do you see what became of the man who enslaved himself to the judgment of creation? He was deprived of inner peace and could never undertake any work with sincerity and conviction. Conversely, there was another man who, whenever he did something, his gaze was solely directed towards the heavens, and he would say, 'O God, You see and You know. I have no concern with the judgment of Your servants.' This man built a strong house, treated his neighbors kindly, and performed his deeds with sincerity. Sometimes he was praised, and sometimes criticized, but his heart remained steadfast like a mountain. For he knew that his ultimate Judge was God, and His pleasure was superior to any praise or blame." Upon hearing these words, tears welled up in the disciple's eyes, and he said, "O Sheikh, your counsel has settled in my soul. From today, I shall seek only the pleasure of Allah and will not fear the judgment of His servants." Sheikh Saleh smiled and said, "This is the path to salvation and true peace. He who fears creation is their servant and will always be in fear and tremor. But he who fears only the Creator is free and unburdened, seeking nothing but His pleasure." This story, inspired by the wisdom of Saadi, illustrates how the fear of others' judgment can distance a person from the true purpose of life and inner peace. The solution, as the Quran and the wisdom of great figures teach us, is to rely on the Creator and to be sincere in intention and action. When a person's heart is inclined towards truth, no external voice can disturb their tranquility. This is a great lesson for liberation from this hidden fear: one must be freed from the bondage of people's opinions and only ponder the judgment of their Lord. Ultimately, he who does not fear the Truth will not fear falsehood, and he who fears creation will be enslaved by himself and his ego.