Assalaamu alaykum. My question is regarding Shirk (polytheism) in fear. Recently, I was reading about the powers which the Dajjaal has. I know that nothing can effect us unless Allah wills. I know that he is a false messiah. However, when I try to do something bad regarding him, like abusing him, I feel fear, as if he may harm me. I do not know all the powers which he possesses. And even though I do know that he will not me, even then, I get this fear, knowing the fact that he is just a trial for the Muslims. I do not believe in him, nor do I worship him. Is this Shirk in fear? I cannot say anything bad regarding him out of fear, though I do not deny the truth and do not do anything wrong. Please answer me seperately, as I have gone through other related questions already but could not find an answer specific for my situation.

All perfect praise be to Allah, the Lord of the worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allah and that Muhammad, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, is His slave and Messenger.

First of all, this question and your previous ones clearly indicate that you suffer from Waswasah (devilish/obsessive whisperings) regarding falling into Shirk. We advise you to beware of such Waswasah, as it leads to grave evils if you let yourself get carried away with it.

Regarding man's fear of evil, it is considered a natural, inherent fear, and not Shirk. It was narrated that Huthayfah, may Allah be pleased with him, said, "The people used to ask the Messenger of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, about good, but I used to ask him about evil lest I be overtaken by it..." [Al-Bukhaari and Muslim]

For more benefit, please refer to fatwas 92486and 359449.

There is no doubt that the evil of the Dajjaal is among the gravest evils; so the Muslim's fear of the Dajjaal's evil and Fitnah (temptation, tribulation) is legitimate. The Shariah instructs the Muslim to seek refuge with Allah from the evil and Fitnah of the Dajjaal, and it urges the Muslims who are alive when he appears to flee from him lest they become influenced by his evil. The Prophet, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, said, "Whoever hears about the coming of the Dajjaal should stay away from him for, by Allah, a man would come to him thinking of himself that he is a strong believer, but then he will follow the Dajjaal because of the doubts which he will spread." [Abu Daawood and others]

However, the excessive fear of the Dajjaal that drives the person to refrain even from seeking refuge with Allah from him is considered cowardice and dispraised fear in the Shariah. The Prophet, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, used to seek refuge with Allah from cowardice.

Allah knows best.