وَهُوَ يَخشىٰ

While he fears [Allah].

EXPOSITION

To fear God is to fear going against His commands, to fear sin and its consequences,^{‎[1]Tibyan, 10/270.}
it is to fear the station of God and His majesty, like in the verse, Only those of Allah’s servants having knowledge fear Him (35:28).

REVIEW OF TAFSĪR LITERATURE

Zamakhsharī entertains the possibility that yakhshā (he fears) could also mean that he fears the faithless, who were oppressing the Muslims in Mecca.^{‎[2]Zamakhshari, 4/702; Muhit, 10/407.}
However, the context of the verses is one of praising the act of fear, and so we should understand fears to mean the fear of God that is the result of piety.

Rāzī suggests a third possibility, which is that he was afraid of falling down or stumbling, because he was blind and had no one helping him.^{‎[3]Razi, 31/54; Muhit, 10/407.}
While this is linguistically possible, it is absolutely detached from the context. We mention this only to remind that interpretation of the Quran should never simply focus on linguistic possibilities whilst ignoring the context.

INSIGHTS FROM OTHER TRADITIONS

1. ‘But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, “God, have mercy on me, a sinner.” “I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”’^{‎[4]Luke 18:13-14.}
   
2. ‘These are the ones I look on with favour: those who are humble and contrite in spirit, and who tremble at my word.’^{‎[5]Isaiah 66:2.}
   
3. ‘He mocks proud mockers but shows favour to the humble and oppressed.’^{‎[6]Proverbs 3:34.}
   

[1] Tibyan, 10/270.
[2] Zamakhshari, 4/702; Muhit, 10/407.
[3] Razi, 31/54; Muhit, 10/407.
[4] Luke 18:13-14.
[5] Isaiah 66:2.
[6] Proverbs 3:34.