Q: A Muslim sister from Riyadh asks whether the Mu'min (believer) should not fear death. If this is the case, does this reflect one's having no wish to meet Allah?
A: The believing men and women should fear and have hope in Allah (Glorified be He). Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He) states: so fear them not, but fear Me, if you are (true) believers. Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He) also says: Therefore fear not men but fear Me (O Jews) Allah (Glorified be He) also says: and fear none but Me. Allah (Glorified be He) also says: Verily, those who have believed, and those who have emigrated (for Allâh's Religion) and have striven hard in the Way of Allâh, all these hope for Allâh's Mercy. Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He) also says: So whoever hopes for the Meeting with his Lord, let him work righteousness and associate none as a partner in the worship of his Lord.
No believing man or woman should despair of Allah's Mercy or feel secure against the Plan of Allah. Allah (Glorified be He) states: Say: "O 'Ibâdî (My slaves) who have transgressed against themselves (by committing evil deeds and sins)! Despair not of the Mercy of Allâh: verily, Allâh forgives all sins. Truly He is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful. Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He) also says: and never give up hope of Allâh's Mercy. Certainly, no one despairs of Allâh's Mercy, except the people who disbelieve. Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He) also says: Did they then feel secure against the Plan of Allâh? None feels secure from the Plan of Allâh except the people who are the losers.
Every Muslim should be ready to meet death and beware of neglecting it, because of the above-mentioned Ayahs (Qur'anic verses). It is reported that the Prophet (peace be upon him) stated: Remember the destroyer of the enjoyments (death) continuously. Being heedless of death and unprepared for it are causes of bad end. It is authentically reported that `Aishah (may Allah be pleased with her) narrated that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said:
"He who loves meeting Allah, Allah will love to meet him, and he who dislikes to meet Allah, Allah dislikes to meet him." I ('A'ishah) said: "Allah's Messenger, as for death, we all hate it." Thereupon he (the Prophet) said: "It is not that (which you construe), but (this) that when a believer (at the time of death) is given the glad tidings of the mercy of Allah, His Pleasure, and of paradise, he longs to meet Allah, and Allah also loves to meet him; and when a Kafir (disbeliever/non-Muslim) is given the news of the torment and hardship which he is going to face at the Hand of Allah, he abhors to meet Allah and Allah also hates meeting him." (Agreed upon by Al-Bukhari and Muslim)
This Hadith is evidence of the fact that there is nothing wrong with disliking and fearing death, for this does not indicate disliking to meet Allah. When the Mu'min hates or fears death, he hopes to increase his righteous deeds and obey Allah in preparation to meet Him.
There is nothing wrong with the Muslim fearing harmful animals such as predators, snakes, etc., and to guard himself against them. Similarly, there is nothing wrong with Muslims fearing their enemy and prepare to fight him. Allah (Glorified be He) states: And make ready against them all you can of power The meaning is to make ready for the enemy along with relying on Allah and believing that victory is from Allâh; for the Mu'min should adopt the means as Allah orders but should not rely on them independently.
Allah (Glorified be He) states: (Remember) when you sought help of your Lord and He answered you (saying): "I will help you with a thousand of the angels each behind the other (following one another) in succession." Allâh made it only as glad tidings, and that your hearts be at rest therewith. And there is no victory except from Allâh. Verily, Allâh is All-Mighty, All-Wise.
The fear which Allah forbids is to fear a creature to a degree that makes one give up an obligation or commit sin. In this respect, Allah states: so fear them not, but fear Me, if you are (true) believers. This involes fearing others beside Allah by way of worship, or thinking they know Ghayb (the Unseen), manage the affairs of the universe, harm or benefit without Allah's Will, as do the Mushriks (those who associate others with Allah in His Divinity or worship) with their gods.