Transliteration:( Innal lazeena yakhshawna rabbahum bilghaibi lahum maghfiratunw wa ajrun kabeer )
"Those who fear their Lord without seeing [27] Him, for them is forgiveness and a great reward [28]."
This verse highlights the fear of Allah felt by those who sincerely believe in Him, even though they cannot see Him. Their fear is not out of mere terror but arises from their deep reverence and awareness of Allah's majesty. The Prophet Muhammad's teachings instilled this fear of Allah in their hearts, making them conscious of His presence in their lives.
It is important to note that this fear is not like the fear one experiences upon witnessing punishment, as described when even Satan acknowledged his fear of Allah in Surah Al-Hashr (59:16). However, the fear of the believer is driven by love, respect, and devotion rather than fear of punishment alone, making it a means to salvation.
For those who possess this fear of Allah and live by His guidance, they are promised forgiveness and a great reward. The great reward refers to the ultimate blessings in the Hereafter, namely Paradise.
The commentary of Tafseer Roohul Bayaan illustrates how even the companions of the Prophet, like Hazrat Abu Bakr (RA), exhibited this deep, soul-stirring fear of Allah, as seen in the fragrance of fried liver emanating from his heart. This deep spiritual state reflects how his heart was fully immersed in the fear of Allah. Likewise, the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), in his intense devotion during Tahajjud prayers, would weep so much that his chest would make a sound like a boiling pot—indicating the depth of his fear and love for Allah.
These examples show that the true fear of Allah leads to profound spiritual rewards, including forgiveness and closeness to Allah.
12. Verily, those who fear their Lord unseen, theirs will be forgiveness and a great reward. 13. And whether you keep your talk secret or disclose it, verily, He is the All-Knower of what is in the breasts. 14. Should not He Who has created know And He is the Most Kind and Courteous, All-Aware. 15. He it is Who has made the earth subservient to you; so walk in the paths thereof and eat of His provision. And to Him will be the resurrection.
Allah informs of he who fears standing before his Lord, being frightened about matters between himself and Allah when he is not in the presence of other people. So he refrains from disobedience and he performs acts of obedience when no one sees him except Allah. Allah mentions that this person will have forgiveness and a great reward. This means that his sins will be remitted and he will be rewarded abundantly. This is similar to what has been confirmed in the Two Sahihs,
(There are seven people whom Allah the Exalted will shade in the shade of His Throne on the Day when there will be no shade except its shade.) Then he mentioned that among those people are:
(A man who is tempted by a beautiful woman of high social status, but he says: `Verily, I fear Allah.’ Another person from among them is a man who gives charity and he conceals it so that his left hand does not know what his right hand spent.) Then He says, while informing that He is aware of the innermost conscience and secrets,
(And whether you keep your talk secret or disclose it, verily, He is the All-Knower of what is in the breasts.) meaning, that which occurs in the hearts (ideas, thoughts, etc.).
(Should not He Who has created know) This means, `doesn’t the Creator know’
(And He is the Most Kind and Courteous, All-Aware (of everything).)
Then Allah mentions His favor to His creation in subjugating the earth to them, and making it subservient to them. This is by His making it a stable abode and dwelling place. He placed in it mountains and caused water springs to gush forth from it. He fashioned pathways, and placed useful things in it and places fertile for the growth of fruit and vegetation. Allah says,
(He it is Who has made the earth subservient to you; so walk in the paths thereof) meaning, travel wherever you wish throughout its regions and frequent its countrysides and all the areas of its domain in your various journeys to seek earnings and trade. And know that your efforts will not benefit you anything unless Allah makes matters easy for you. Allah continues to say,
(and eat of His provision.) Thus, striving by using the means (to attain something) does not negate the necessity of depending upon Allah (At-Tawakkul). This is similar to what Imam Ahmad recorded from `Umar bin Al-Khattab, that he heard the Messenger of Allah say,
(If you would trust in Allah as He truly should be trusted in, He would surely provide for you as He provides for the birds. They set out in the morning with empty stomachs and return in the evening with full stomachs.) At-Tirmidhi, An-Nasa’i and Ibn Majah all recorded this Hadith. At-Tirmidhi said, “Hasan Sahih.” So this confirms that the bird searches morning and evening for its sustenance while depending upon Allah. For He is the Subduer, the Controller and the One Who causes everything.
(And to Him will be the resurrection.) meaning, the place of return on the Day of Judgement. Ibn `Abbas, Mujahid, As-Suddi and Qatadah all said that Manakibiha (its paths) means its outermost borders, its roads and its regions.
(67:12) Surely forgiveness and a mighty reward[19] await those who fear Allah without seeing Him.[18]
19. That is, there are two inevitable results of fearing God unseen.
(1) That whatever errors and sins one will have committed because of human weaknesses, will be forgiven provided these were not committed because of fearlessness of God.
(2) That whatever good acts a man performs on the basis of this belief, he will be rewarded richly for them.
20. The address is to all human beings, whether they are believers or unbelievers. For the believer, it contains the admonition that while living his life in the world he should always remember that not only his open and hidden deeds but even his secret intentions and innermost thoughts are not hidden from Allah. And for the unbeliever, the warning that he may do whatever he may please fearless of God, but nothing that he does can remain un-noticed and unseen by Him.
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