How can the fear of the torment of the grave, of the reckoning, and of Almighty Allah be increased, and how is the extent of this fear known?

What increases the fear of punishment is frequent reading of books on softening the heart (raqa'iq), encouragement, and discouragement. The more one reads about the horrors of the grave and the Day of Judgment, the greater the fear becomes, along with increasing supplication. Among the signs of fear is weeping when visiting graves, as it was narrated that Uthman (may Allah be pleased with him) heard the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) say: "The grave is the first stage of the Hereafter; if one is saved from it, what comes after is easier than it, but if one is not saved from it, what comes after is more severe than it." And he heard him say: "I have not seen a sight but the grave is more terrifying than it."