In The Name of Allaah, The Most Merciful, The Bestower of Mercy

Imaam Ibnul Qayyim [may Allaah have mercy upon him] said:

The basis of the happiness (success, wellbeing etc) of a person (in this worldly life and Afterlife) are three, but each of them has its opposite, therefore whoever is deprived of one of them will encounter its opposite: Tawheed and its opposite is Shirk, the (authentic) Sunnah and its opposite is innovation in religious affairs, obedience (to Allaah and His Messenger) and its opposite is disobedience. These three affairs are opposed by one thing and that is: the heart being deprived of Ar-Raghbah Fillaah Wa Feemaa Indahu, Wa Minar Rahbah Minhu Wa Mimmaa Indahu [i.e. the heart deprived of the fervent desire to seek Allaah’s Pleasure through acts of obedience and hoping for Allaah’s reward, and deprived of fear of Allaah and the reward Allaah has kept for those who fear Him]. (1)

Amazing indeed is the affair of those who are still wearing masks!

You see a person wearing a mask when walking in the streets, even where the government has not mandated masks, but when he desires to smoke in public – a manifest sin indeed, he removes his mask and smokes. He fears something which he thinks follows him everywhere, so he wears a mask; but completely heedless of his Lord whilst smoking openly! https://salaficentre.com/2019/03/29/words-of-advice-for-the-smoker-especially-the-one-who-smokes-during-hajj-and-ummah-admonitions-by-shaikh-uthaymeen-and-shaikh-abdur-razzaaq-al-badr/

You see a person walking arrogantly in the streets, whilst showing his muscles, yet he wears a mask even in places where the government has not mandated masks. So, he fears that thing, yet he does not fear Allaah whilst walking arrogantly in the land. https://salaficentre.com/2016/12/11/revel-arrogance-reality/

A Mutabarrijah walking in the streets with a mask even in places where government has not mandated masks. She fears something, yet she does not fear Allaah. https://salaficentre.com/2021/07/17/severe-threat-from-the-messenger-regarding-dressed-but-naked/

Allaah [The Exalted] stated about the people of Kufr who fear the creation more than they fear Him:

[لَأَنتُمۡ أَشَدُّ رَهۡبَةً۬ فِى صُدُورِهِم مِّنَ ٱللَّهِ‌ۚ – Verily, you (believers in the Oneness of Allah – Islamic Monotheism) are more awful as a fear in their hearts than Allah]. [Surah Al-Hashr. Ayah 13]

Imaam As-Sadi [may Allaah have mercy upon him] said: They give more concern to fear of the created things that do not possess – either for themselves or others – the ability to bring about harm or benefit more than (they) fear the Creator, in Whose hand is the (absolute control) of all harm, bestowal and hindrance.

[ذَٲلِكَ بِأَنَّہُمۡ قَوۡمٌ۬ لَّا يَفۡقَهُونَ – That is because they are a people who comprehend not (the Majesty and Power of Allah)]- Meaning, neither do they comprehend the importance (status or levels) of different affairs nor the different realities of things, nor are they able to assess outcomes; rather sound understanding (necessitates) fear of the Creator, hoping for (the Creator’s mercy etc) and love of the Creator given precedence over others. (2)

لا حول ولا قوة الا بالله

Abu Moosaa Al-Ash’aree [may Allaah be pleased with him] said, “The Messenger of Allaah [peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him] said to me, ‘O Abdullaah Bin Qais! Shall I tell you a word which is one of the treasures of Paradise? It is [لَا حَوْلَ وَلَا قُوَّةَ إِلَّا بِاللهِ – (i.e. There is neither might nor power (to alternate from one state to another nor move from one thing to another) except by Allaah’s Will]’”. [Bukhaari 6384 & Muslim 2704]

Al-Harwee [may allaah have mercy upon him] said that Abu Haytham [may Allaah have mercy upon him] said, “Al-Hawl (i.e. might) is Al-Harakah (movement), meaning, there is neither movement nor ability except by the Will of Allaah”. And it is said, “There is no might to repel evil nor any power to reach good except by the Will of Allaah”. (3)

Allaah [The Exalted] said: [سَنُلۡقِى فِى قُلُوبِ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُواْ ٱلرُّعۡبَ بِمَآ أَشۡرَڪُواْ بِٱللَّهِ مَا لَمۡ يُنَزِّلۡ بِهِۦ سُلۡطَـٰنً۬ا‌ۖ – We shall cast terror into the hearts of those who disbelieve, because they ascribe partners to Allaah, for which He had sent no authority]. [Surah Aal Imraan. Aayah 151]

Imaam Ibnul Qayyim [may Allaah have mercy upon him] said: The level of Shirk determines the level of fear, and the one who ascribes a partner to Allaah has the greatest fear and terror. Those who believe and do not mix their belief with Shirk have safety, guidance and success and the one who ascribes a partner to Allaah has fear, misguidance and wretchedness. (4)

Imaam As-Sadi [may Allaah have mercy upon him] said that this fear is due to that which they took as partners to Allaah, such as those things they set up as equals to Allaah and the idols based on their vain desires and corrupt goals, for which they neither have proof nor evidence, and thus they cut themselves off the Protection of The One and Only True Deity, The Most Merciful. (5)

Finally, amazing mask show – 

Wearing a mask when in seclusion and taking it off to meet someone and shake hands!

We ask Allaah to protect us from this disease that has afflicted many in society Aameen

[Ref 1: Al-Fawaa-id page 167]
[Ref 2: an Excerpt from Tafseer As-Sadi. slightly paraphrased]
[Ref 3: Sharh Saheeh Muslim 4/87]
[Ref 4: Iddat As-Saabireen 166-167. Slightly paraphrased]
[Ref 5: Tafseer As-Sadi. Slightly paraphrased]