The word · The heart
الخَوْف
Khawf
Fear of Allah: the awareness of His justice that keeps a person from walking off the edge.
Also written · Khauf · Khowf · Kawf · Khof · Khawf min Allah · Khashyah · Khashya · Fear of Allah · Fear of God · Godfearing · Fear of punishment
The meaning
What Khawf means in Islam
The Qur'an describes believers as those whose hearts tremble when Allah is mentioned (Qur'an 8:2), and as calling on their Lord in fear and hope together (Qur'an 32:16). Scholars say the two wings must stay even: fear alone tips into despair, hope alone tips into carelessness. Healthy khawf is measured by what it makes you do, not by how bad it makes you feel.
Evidence · Qur’an · Stated directly in the Qur’an
Read beside it
Words that sit beside it
- Raja'Hope in Allah's mercy, held by someone who is still working, not by someone who has stopped.الرَّجَاء
- TaqwaAn alert, careful awareness of Allah that keeps a person away from what harms them.التَّقْوَى
- RahmahMercy: the disposition to spare, relieve and be gentle, in Allah first and in people after.الرَّحْمَة
- MuraqabahLiving with the awareness that Allah sees you, at the moment you are acting.المُرَاقَبَة
More from The heart
- 'AfwPardon: dropping a wrong you are owed, without the other person having to earn it.العَفْو
- Ghadd al-BasarLowering the gaze: turning your eyes away from what you are not permitted to look at.غَضُّ البَصَر
- IstighfarAsking Allah for forgiveness, usually in the words astaghfirullah.الاسْتِغْفَار
- MujahadahThe struggle against your own self: making yourself do the right thing when you do not want to.المُجَاهَدَة
- Sakha'Generosity: giving easily, before being asked, without making the receiver pay in dignity.السَّخَاء
- TafakkurDeliberate reflection on creation and on your own life, treated as an act of worship.التَّفَكُّر