Why does people's judgment seem more fearful than God's judgment?

The fear of people's judgment more than God's judgment is a profound and common human experience rooted in psychological, social, and even spiritual factors. At its core, humans are social beings with an inherent need for acceptance, validation, and a place within society. This innate need unconsciously compels us to attach significant importance to the opinions and reactions of those around us. Human judgments are tangible, immediate, and carry immediate consequences; a condescending look, a mocking word, or social exclusion can instantly have a deep impact on one's psyche and even lead to the loss of social or material opportunities. In contrast, God's judgment is often associated with the future and the Hereafter, and its consequences, though greater and eternal, are not experienced tangibly in the present moment. This temporal distance and lack of direct observation cause the human mind to lean more towards tangible and immediate threats, i.e., human judgments, and to take them more seriously. The Holy Quran frequently addresses this issue, calling believers to overcome this fear and focus on divine judgment. In Surah Al-Ahzab, verse 37, Allah states: “And you feared the people, while Allah is more worthy of your fear.” This verse explicitly points to this human inclination and reminds us that the primary source of fear and awe should be Allah, not His creation. The root cause of this problem is a weakness in complete reliance (Tawakkul) and faith in God's absolute power and knowledge. When an individual fails to believe that the only true and ultimate Judge is Allah, and that no power exists above Him, they easily become influenced by the fluctuating and unstable opinions of people. Humans may judge based on appearances, incomplete information, or even misunderstandings, but Allah is the All-Knowing and aware of all hidden secrets and intentions of the heart. His judgment is based on pure justice and infinite wisdom, flawless in every aspect. Therefore, fearing people's judgment indicates a deficiency in our perception of God's importance and authority in our lives, leading us to seek worldly approval instead of divine pleasure. This situation can lead to hypocrisy, pretense, and a loss of inner peace. Someone who fears people's judgment might neglect their religious and moral duties to avoid criticism or mockery. They might refrain from speaking the truth or performing a righteous act that goes against conventional social norms, merely to preserve their social status or avoid being labeled. This is while the Quran constantly encourages believers to be steadfast and firm on the path of truth, without regard for the blame of blamers (Al-Ma'idah: 54). To overcome this fear, the Quranic solution is to deepen one's understanding of Tawhid (the Oneness of God) and His attributes. The more a person believes in God's greatness, power, knowledge, and justice, the smaller and more insignificant human judgments will appear to them. Constantly remembering the Day of Judgment and the final accountability, where no one will find help except through their own deeds, helps an individual shift their focus from this transient world and the unstable opinions of people towards eternal truth and divine pleasure. Ultimately, true peace and inner tranquility are achieved when a person aims solely for the pleasure of their Creator and frees themselves from the judgments of His creations. This liberation from the bondage of people's opinions allows an individual to live courageously and truthfully, based on divine principles, and to remain steadfast on the path of righteousness. Such a person, relying on Allah, is neither elated by praise nor disheartened by blame. They know that the ultimate Judge is none other than the Almighty Lord, and only His judgment holds true and eternal significance.