fear and treasure | Quranic Insights

I've heard of living at the center,
but what about
leaving the center of the center?
Flying toward thankfulness,
you become
..... the rare bird
with one wing made of fear,
and one of hope.

- Rumi, Coleman

In the Quran, the idea of fear also has its counterpart of greater reward, treasure what Rumi talks about in his saying, "Our greatest fears are like dragons guarding our greatest treasures."

Perhaps the wisdom of Rumi is better explained in another of his saying. "God turns you from one feeling to another and teaches by means of opposites, so that you will have two wings to fly, not one."

In Quranic context fear can be more appropriately viewed as awe of the Great Majesty of the Divine. For the gnostics, saints, sufis or mystics the fear of God is not the ordinary fear of the common folk. For mystics the awe is associated with the Jalal Face of God, the Face of Overtaking Majesty and their fear is nothing but losing the grace and love of the Beloved.

Nay they are the Friends of God, no fear shall come upon them neither shall they grieve. - The Quran, 10:62

Also this nature of fear or awe carries more of the quality of not displeasing the Beloved than what preoccupies the ordinary folk and literalists such as fear of punishment or hell.

And those who fear the displeasure of their Lord,
For their Lord's displeasure is the opposite of Peace and Tranquility. - The Quran 70:27,28

Here are few Quranic verses where Fear and Reward, Fear and Treasure is talked about in pair.

Their reward (treasure) is with God: Gardens of Eternity, beneath which rivers flow; they will dwell therein for ever; Allah well pleased with them, and they with Him: all this for such as fear their Lord and Cherisher.
- The Quran 98:8

Let them adore the Lord of this House,
Who provides them with food against hunger,
and with protection against fear.
- The Quran 106:3-4

Their reward (treasure) is with Allah: Gardens of Eternity, beneath which rivers flow; they will dwell therein for ever; Allah well pleased with them, and they with Him: all this for such as fear their Lord and Cherisher.
- The Quran 98:8

And as for such who feared (conscious) to stand before his Lord and restrained his soul from lower desires, Their abode shall be the Garden of Bliss. - The Quran 79:40-41

Their reward with their Lord is gardens of perpetuity beneath which rivers flow, abiding therein for ever; Allah is well pleased with them and they are well pleased with Him; that is for one who fears his Lord. - The Quran 98:8

Lo! those who fear their Lord in secret, theirs will be forgiveness and a great reward. And whether ye conceal your word or manifest it, He certainly is Cognizant of the secrets of hearts.
- The Quran 67:12, 13

Quran, often known as Final Testament reveals the same insight and metaphysical truth of spiritual reality as it was revealed in Old Testament. On the insight of fear and treasure the Old Testament illuminates us:

For His unfailing love toward those who fear Him is as great as the height of the heavens above the earth. - Psalms 103: 11

It is better to have little with fear for the Lord than to have great treasure with turmoil. - Proverbs 15: 16

.. let us be thankful and please God by worshipping Him with holy fear and awe. For our God is a consuming fire.
- Hebrews 12: 28 - 29

Those who follow the right path fear the Lord..
- Proverbs 14:2

Those who fear the Lord are secure; He will be a place of refuge for their children. Fear of the Lord is a life-giving fountain ..
- Proverbs 14: 26-27

Do not fear anything except the Lord Almighty. He alone is the Holy One. If you fear Him, you need fear nothing else. He will keep you safe. - Isaiah 8: 13 - 14

Happy are those who fear the Lord with holy awe. - Psalms 112: 1

He (the Lord) blesses those who fear the Lord .. - Psalms 115: 13


# Reference: The Quran via the Compendium of Muslim Texts
. Related: our greatest fears guarding our greatest treasures