kh-w-f

Description

The Arabic root خوف (kh-w-f) conveys the core meaning of fear, apprehension, and reverential awe, appearing throughout the Quran in various grammatical forms to describe both negative anxiety and positive God-consciousness. In Quranic context, this root encompasses the spectrum from paralyzing terror of divine punishment to the cultivated fear of God (taqwa-related reverence) that motivates righteous behavior and restrains believers from sin. The frequency of this root (124 instances) underscores its theological significance as a fundamental human emotion that the Quran channels toward spiritual awareness, distinguishing between blameworthy fear of created things versus praiseworthy fear of the Creator and His judgment.