Grammatical structure of the verse: The subject of the verse is ‘al-ulama’
(those who posses knowledge) and the word, ‘Allah’ is ‘maf’ool muqaddam’ (i.e.,
object appearing before the subject). In accordance to this grammatical
structure, the verse emphasizes the fact that no one fears Allah except those
who have knowledge. The verse does not mean that Allah is the one who fears
those who have knowledge, Exalted be He far above any such thing. According to
the grammar rules, if the subject was to be mentioned first in the verse, it
would change the intent to mean, ‘those who have knowledge fear nothing but
Allah,’ which is incorrect, for there are some knowledgeable people who fear
things other than Allah. Hence, Shaikh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah said concerning
this verse, ‘This indicates that everyone who fears Allah has knowledge, which
is true; it does not indicate that everyone who has knowledge fears Him.’
[Majmoo al-Fatawa (7/539). See also Tafseer al-Baydaawi (4/418) and Fath al-Qadeer
(4/494).]
Shaikhul-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah said in Majmoo al-Fatawa (17/21), ‘The meaning of
the verse, ‘It is only those who have knowledge among His slaves that fear
Allah’ is that no one fears Him except the one who has knowledge. Allah tells us
that everyone who fears Allah has knowledge, as He says in another verse, ‘Is
one who is obedient to Allah, prostrating himself or standing (in prayer) during
the hours of the night, fearing the Hereafter and hoping for the Mercy of his
Lord (like one who disbelieves)? Say, ‘Are those who know equal to those who
know not?’ [Soorah az-Zumar (39): 9] [End quote]
The meaning of knowledge mentioned in this verse
Ibn Katheer (rahimahullah) said, ‘Those who fear Him as He should be feared are
those who have knowledge of Him (Allah), because the more a person knows of the
Almighty, All-Powerful, the more he will fear Him.’ [See, Ibn Katheer]
Shaikh Ibn Baz (rahimahullah) said while answering a question concerning the
meaning of the verse (35): 28, ‘This lofty verse implies that the knowledgeable
– i.e., those who possess the knowledge about Allah, His Religion and His Book
and the Sunnah of His Prophet – have the most perfect fear of Allah amongst
mankind, and the most complete Taqwa (piety) of Allah and His obedience, and at
the head of them are the Prophets and the Messengers (alaihimus-salaam). So, the
meaning of, ‘It is only those …that fear Allah,’ is the complete fear of His
knowledgeable slaves, and they are those who know their Lord through His Names
and Attributes and His Great Right and they are aware of His Sharee’ah and
believe in that which is with Him from the rewards for those who fear Him and
that which is with Him from the punishment for those who forsake and disobey
Him. Thus, due to their profound knowledge about Allah and their knowledge about
the Truth, they possess the most intense fear of Allah.’ [See, Majmoo Fatawa
wa-Maqalat Mutanawwi’a (part 4). Arabic version obtained from
www.binbaz.org.sa]
Ibn Abbas said, ‘the one among His servant who knows about Ar-Rahman, is the one
who does not associate anything with Him; the one who accepts as lawful that
which He has permitted and accepts as unlawful that which He has prohibited. He
obeys His commands and is certain that he will meet Him and be brought to
account for his deeds.’ [Quoted from Tafseer Ibn Katheer]
Everybody fears Allah in accordance to his knowledge
Shaikh Ibn Baz (rahimahullah) also said while explaining the verse (35): 28
‘This verse does not mean, ‘no one fears Allah except the scholars (those who
possess knowledge).’ So, every Muslim man/woman and every Mumin (believing)
man/woman fears Allah, but their fear is in varying degrees and not of the same
grade. So, the more the believer possesses the knowledge about Allah and
comprehends His Religion – the greater is his fear of Allah. If his knowledge is
less, so is His understanding (and awareness of Allah and His religion) and
subsequently his fear of Allah. Thus, people are of varying degrees in this
matter and so are the scholars… but all the believing men and women fear Allah
in accordance to their knowledge and degree of Eeman and thus, Allah says,
‘Verily, those who believe and do righteous good deeds, they are the best of
creatures. Their reward with their Lord is Adn (Paradise) underneath which
rivers flow, they will abide therein forever, Allah is Well-Pleased with them,
and they with Him. This for him, who fears his Lord.’ [Soorah al-Bayyinah (98):
7-8]
‘Verily, those who fear their Lord unseen (i.e. they do not see Him, nor His
Punishment in the Hereafter, etc.) their’s will be forgiveness and a great
reward (Paradise).’ [Soorah al-Mulk (67): 12]
‘But for him who fears the standing before his Lord, there will be two Gardens
(in Paradise).’ [Soorah ar-Rahman (55): 46]
Everybody deserves reward for their fear of Allah, regardless of whether they
are from the scholars or common people. However, scholars posses the complete
fear of Allah due to their profound awareness, comprehension and great knowledge
about Allah. So, their fear of Allah is greater...’ [See, Majmoo Fatawa
wa-Maqalat Mutanawwi’a (part 4). Arabic version obtained from www.binbaz.org.sa]
Conclusion: Every Muslim man and woman should strive his best in learning about
Allah and His Religion for the more one learns and knows Allah the more he will
fear Allah and consequently the less he will disobey Him, as Said ibn Jubayr
said, ‘Fear is what stands between you and disobeying Allah.’ [Quoted from
Tafseer Ibn Katheer]
Al-Sa’di t, ‘The more a person knows Allah, the more he will fear Him, and the
fear of Allah will make him refrain from sin and prepare to meet the One Whom he
fears. This is indicative of the virtue of knowledge, for it calls one to fear
Allah. The people who fear Allah are the ones who will be honored by Him, as
Allah says, ‘Allah will be pleased with them, and they with Him. That is for him
who fears his Lord.’ [Soorah al-Bayyinah (98): 8] [Quoted from Ibn Katheer]
Al-Hasan al-Basri said, ‘The one who has knowledge is the one who fears the Most
Merciful in private, and seeks that which Allah wants for him and abstains from
that which incurs the wrath of Allah. Then al-Hasan recited the verse, (35): 28.
[Quoted from Tafseer Ibn Katheer]
It was narrated that Ibn Mas’ood @ said,
‘The sign of knowledge is not narrating many ahadeeth.
Rather, the sign of knowledge is fearing Allah a great deal…’
[Quoted from Tafseer Ibn Katheer]
Said ibn Jubayr said,
‘Fear is what stands between you and disobeying Allah.’
[Quoted from Tafseer Ibn Katheer]
