ar-Rajāʾ is interpreted in two ways:
1. ar-Rajāʾ is used in the sense of ṭamaʿ/hope; as in the following verses:
They hope (yarjūna) for His mercy and fear His punishment. (al-Isrāʾ 17:57)
It is those who hope (yarjūna) for the mercy of Allah. (al-Baqara 2:218)
There are many similar statements.
2. ar-Rajāʾ is also used in the sense of khashya (awe/fear); as in the following verses:
Whoever should hope (yarjū) for the meeting with his Lord {that is, whoever feels awe at being resurrected after death}, let him do righteous work. (al-Kahf 18:110)
Whoever should hope (yarjū) for the meeting with Allah, indeed, the term decreed by Allah {that is, whoever feels awe at being resurrected after death, surely the Day of Resurrection} is coming. (al-ʿAnkabūt 29:5)
Indeed, those who do not hope (yarjūna) for the meeting with Us {that is, those who do not feel awe at being resurrected after death}... (Yūnus 10:7)
For they were not expecting (yarjūna) any account {that is, they did not feel awe regarding the reckoning}. (an-Nabaʾ 78:27)