Why do I fear ruthless people but not God?

This is a profound and thought-provoking question that resonates deeply within many hearts: why does the fear of ruthless and unjust people sometimes weigh heavily upon us, while the majesty and absolute power of God, the Creator and Sustainer of all, does not take root in our being as it should? This phenomenon, though seemingly paradoxical, has psychological, epistemic, and spiritual roots, which the Holy Quran addresses, offering solutions to liberate us from such baseless and misguided fears. First, let us understand the distinction between 'fear of creation' and 'awe of the Creator.' Fear of ruthless people often stems from our perception of their limited, material power. We witness their ability to inflict physical harm, seize our possessions, tarnish our reputation, or even take our lives. These threats are tangible and immediately conceivable, shaped by our worldly experiences. This type of fear is 'khawf,' a fear that typically arises from the anticipation of material and specific harm or danger. Humans naturally fear anything that can inflict pain or loss, and this is an instinctive survival mechanism. When a powerful and ruthless individual poses a real and immediate threat, our nervous system reacts, and we experience fear. Due to the worldly and tangible nature of its source, this fear can be potent and paralyzing, leading to feelings of weakness and helplessness in the face of an oppressor. In some instances, Satan also exploits this tendency, using whispers (waswasah) to amplify the fear of creation in the human heart, thereby diverting individuals from the path of truth and reliance on God. The Quran states: "It is only Satan who instills fear in his allies, so do not fear them but fear Me, if you are [true] believers." (Surah Al Imran, 3:175). This verse clearly indicates that fearing creatures (Satan's allies) is a satanic deception. However, the fear of God is of a different nature. This is not a paralyzing dread or terror, but rather a profound sense of 'kashyah' (awe) and 'taqwa' (God-consciousness). Kashyah is a fear mingled with knowledge, understanding, and reverence. The more one comprehends God's majesty, power, justice, wisdom, and infinite knowledge, the more one's apprehension of transgressing His commands and disobeying Him increases. This fear is constructive, not destructive. It is a fear that propels a person towards observing divine limits, fulfilling obligations, abstaining from prohibitions, and striving to earn the Lord's pleasure. Kashyah of God restrains a person from committing sins, not from moving forward and progressing in life. In essence, this fear is not about God oppressing us – far be it from Him, for He is the Absolutely Just – but rather a fear of our own shortcomings in servitude and an awe of the Divine Presence. This reverence compels a person to constantly be mindful of their actions and words, knowing that nothing is hidden from God's sight and that they will one day be held accountable before Him. This awareness is motivating and protective, not a source of dread or terror in life. The reason why this second type of fear (awe of God) often takes less hold in our hearts than the fear of ruthless people is due to several factors. One of the most significant reasons is heedlessness (ghaflah) and weakness of faith (Iman). When a person becomes engrossed in fleeting worldly pleasures and becomes oblivious to God and the Afterlife, their perspective on life becomes superficial. In this state, material and worldly threats appear magnified because they are the only things perceived tangibly. God's power becomes abstract and distant in their minds, while the oppressor's power is concrete and present. Humans forget that worldly powers are temporary and unstable, and no one can harm another except by God's permission and will. "Say, 'Never will we be afflicted except with what Allah has decreed for us; He is our protector.' And upon Allah let the believers rely." (Surah At-Tawbah, 9:51). This verse and similar ones emphasize that nothing happens without divine will, and reliance on God eliminates fear of anything other than Him. Another reason is an insufficient understanding of God's Names and Attributes. If a person gains a deeper acquaintance with the Most Beautiful Names (Asma al-Husna) such as 'Al-Qawiy' (The All-Strong), 'Al-Jabbar' (The Compeller), 'Al-Muntaqim' (The Avenger), alongside 'Ar-Rahman' (The Most Gracious), 'Ar-Rahim' (The Most Merciful), and 'Al-Ghafoor' (The All-Forgiving), they realize that God is both the Most Powerful authority in the universe and the Most Merciful and Forgiving. This knowledge balances the fear of His wrath with hope in His mercy and forgiveness, establishing equilibrium in the heart. Furthermore, understanding the truth that humans, no matter how tyrannical or powerful, are ultimately under the dominion of divine power and cannot step outside the sphere of His will, reduces the fear of them. "And Allah is predominant over His affair, but most of the people do not know." (Surah Yusuf, 12:21). To overcome this imbalanced fear and cultivate the correct awe of God, the Quran offers several remedies: Firstly, increasing knowledge and insight into God and His attributes. The more we reflect on God's majesty, His power over all existence, His knowledge of the seen and unseen, and His infinite justice, the more His awe will settle in our hearts, and consequently, the more we will refrain from disobeying Him. Secondly, strengthening reliance (Tawakkul) on God. Tawakkul means complete trust in God in all matters, believing that He is the best supporter and protector. When a person truly relies on God, they know that no power can harm them without His permission, and this belief dispels the fear of creation. Thirdly, remembrance and reflection on the Day of Judgment and accountability for deeds. When a person knows that every action, good or bad, is ultimately recorded and they will be held accountable before God, their outlook on life and their fears transform. The fear of eternal punishment and the hope for divine reward are among the greatest motivators for upholding Taqwa and freeing oneself from worldly fears. Fourthly, devotion to the Quran and performing acts of worship. Prayer (Salat), supplication (Du'a), recitation of the Quran, and remembrance of God (Dhikr) calm the heart and strengthen a person's bond with their Creator. These acts make God's presence more prominent in one's life and lead to a reduction in the fear of anything other than Him. Ultimately, the fear of ruthless and unjust people is a symptom of a certain weakness in understanding God's absolute power and a lack of complete reliance on Him. In contrast, the awe of God (kashyah) is a sign of perfected faith and spiritual awakening. A true believer, with a correct understanding of their Creator and reliance on Him, fears no creature, except the One who truly deserves to be feared: God, in whose grasp lies everything, and who is the ultimate Accountant of our deeds. This shift in the locus of fear not only brings inner peace and tranquility but also grants a person courage and steadfastness in the face of oppression and corruption, for they know that their support is an infinite power that no oppressor can withstand. Thus, the fear of God (kashyah) empowers a person, makes them free, and liberates them from baseless fears. Therefore, the solution to this question lies in deepening one's faith, reliance, and divine knowledge. The closer we draw to God, the unjustified fears of the world and its inhabitants vanish from our hearts, replaced by peace and assurance.