Gems from Juzz Amma: "When the hearts will tremble"

Day 2 / Gem 2

"When the hearts will tremble"

Surah Naz'iaat, ayah 8

The main theme of Surah Naz’iaat, is the Day of Judgment and a reminder of its absolute reality. In ayah 8 of the Surah, Allah says:

قُلُوبٌ يَوْمَئِذٍ وَاجِفَةٌ
“Some) Hearts - especially on that Day - will shake with Fear.” (79:8)

By not placing ‘AL’(the) before Quloob, it signifies that only some hearts will shake with fear. So there are other hearts, which will not shake with such a fear on that Day, such as the hearts of the believers who feared standing before their Lord. Regarding them, Allah says in the same Surah: “As for the one who feared (Khaaf/khawf) standing before their Lord. Then the Paradise is his finding refuge (Ma'waa).” (79:40-41)

The word Allah used to describe the fear that these hearts will experience, is ‘Wajf.’ There are many words used for fear in Arabic. To list a few:

Khawf: Khawf is a perceived danger and a fear of something that is physical. Khawf is the type of fear you’d feel if a dog began to chase you.

Khashyah: Khashyah is a fear as a result of knowledge and leads to action. It is when you know the greatness and magnitude of what you fear, and as a result, have an awe and reverence of it.

Khushoo:’ Khushoo’ is a fear that is manifested not only in your heart but it is shown on your face and limbs. Khushoo’ literally means to bend down and to become still. Khushoo’ is used for the submissiveness of the heart which is reflected on the limbs.

Wajf, however, is a fear mixed with discomfort. It is when your heart pounds and palpitates so hard out of fear. It is to be agitated and in a disturbed condition. Awjaftul Khayl means ‘I made my horse race forward by making its heart race.’ So Allah used this word to depict the immense fear that the heart fill feel on that Day. The sentence structure also illustrates that these hearts are not scared at the moment, right now they have peace in this world enjoying their heedlessness. Yet, on that Day they will experience wajf. Furthermore in the above ayah, waajifah is an ism faa’il (someone who does an act), so their hearts will be start pounding and it will not come to rest. The terror will not subside.

Gem: Allah is reminding us of the severity of that day and the fear so that perhaps we may turn back to Him in obedience and fear standing before Him in this life so that we may be recipients of His overflowing Mercy on that day.

May Allah protect us from this Wajf and allow our hearts to be at peace on the Day enjoying the gardens of bliss, ameen.