Fear Allah as Is His Right

After that, Allah (swt) addresses the believers, and several distinct matters are raised here. First, Allah (swt) speaks of being wary of one's enemy — wary of those who are ever out to get you, who will turn you from your faith as far as they are able. This is seen constantly, and there is a good deal more of it as the sūrah proceeds. It is seen all the time. Anyone who attempts to do some good, who attempts to speak of the truth and of reality — whether the matter concerns world politics or anything else — finds the media, and certain Islamophobic media outlets in particular, ready to pounce on him, to troll him, and to publish editorial after negative editorial about him in an effort to deter him. That is why only the very brave survive such treatment; and it is here that a great deal of the himmah, a great deal of the energy, a great deal of the encouragement, is provided. Allah (swt) says:

This is verse 102. Allah tells us that we must fear Allah as much as it is His right to be feared. That is an enormous demand. ʿAbdullāh ibn Masʿūd (may Allah be pleased with him) accordingly explains it. How does one fear Allah as much as it is His right to be feared — ḥaqq al-taqwā, as it is called? First, one obeys Him as far as one is able, and does nothing that He has prohibited. One remembers Him — dhikr: one remembers Him constantly in every dealing, keeps Him in mind, never forgets Him. One thanks Him for every good that comes — and good is always coming to us; there is a good with us at every moment. And one never shows ungratitude, ingratitude, towards Allah (swt).