Patent Topic: Concept of Taqwa in the Qur'an- Mamun

TAQWA

بِسۡمِ ٱللهِ ٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ

Bismillah hir-Rahman nir-Rahim

(In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful)

What does Taqwa mean?

The origin of the word Taqwa is from the Arabic root letters wa’ ka’ ya (meaning shield) and its verb is from the word “Ittaki”. Ittaki means to be careful or to be protected or to be cautious.

Linguistically taqwa means protection and shield from what is harmful. In Islam Taqwa means for a person to have a protection and shield between him and the anger and punishment of Allah (SWT). That protection and shield can be established by true “Iman”, which in return will cause great love and fear of Allah, that will lead to doing righteous deeds and avoiding the evil ones.

Taqwa is an internal compass on the path that leads towards Allah. The broader meaning and character of Taqwa is to develop one’s behavior, so as to be cautiously aware in the worship of Allah and attain nearness to Him and in so doing, perfect oneself.

Taqwa is a comprehensive word found in the Quran that carries the meaning of fear, respect, and reverence for God. The Muslim strives to achieve this attribute.

Taqwa is the sum total of Islamic life. It is the highest of all virtues in the Islamic scheme of things. It is a comprehensive word found in the Quran that carries the meaning of God-consciousness, piety, fear and awe of Allah and it signifies submission to Allah and total commitment to all that is good and rejection of all that is evil and bad. The Muslim strives to achieve this attribute.

Consciousness about Allah (SWT) is the core of taqwa because consciousness about Allah (SWT) is acknowledging, feeling, and realizing Allah’s presence at all times, and knowing that He is looking after you and knows what you are doing and even what your soul whispers to you. This feeling results in trying to go through life according to Allah’s orders and being ashamed of doing wrong in His presence, which is at all times.

Taqwa According to Kabb (RA), Hazrat Ali (RA) and Basri

Hadrat Umar (RA) once asked Hadrat Ibn Ka’ab (RA) the definition of taqwa. In reply Hadrat Ibn Ka’ab asked, “Have you ever had to traverse a thorny path?” Hadrat Umar replied in the affirmative and Hadrat Ka’ab continued, “How do you do so?” Hadrat Umar said that he would carefully walk through after first having collected all loose and flowing clothing in his hands so nothing gets caught in the thorns hence injuring him. Hadrat Ka’ab said, “This is the definition of taqwa, to protect oneself from sin through life’s dangerous journey so that one can successfully complete the journey unscathed by sin.”

Hazrat Ali (RA) defined Taqwa as being the ‘fear of Jaleel (Allah), acting upon the tanzeel (Quran), being content with qaleel (Satisfaction with the little), and preparing for the day of raheel (journeying from this world).

Hadrat Hasan Basri said, “Taqwa is the basis of Deen. Desire and greed destroy this basis.”

Fig. Schematic Diagram of Taqwa

Stages of Taqwa

Five Degree of Taqwa

Where Taqwa Located in Human Body?

Taqwa located in side the heart.

Our beloved Prophet (PBUH) said, "At-Taqwa Ha Huna" (he pointed to the heart)...At-Taqwa Ha Huna, At-Taqwa Ha Huna.

Ibn Qayyim rahimahullah reflects on this saying that: “The example of the heart is the example of the king and the limbs are the recruited army. Hence they all go by the orders of their king. If the king was righteous he would order righteousness and if he was corrupt he would order corruption.” Aljawab AlKaafi.

Note: When a person has Taqwa, his speech and his actions will also reflect the Taqwa in his heart. The more a person knows Allah (SWT), the more his heart will increase in Taqwa. His acts of worship also increases his Taqwa. This Taqwa will bring about light in his heart. With this light, he is able to distinguish between good and bad.

How to Create Fear of Allah in Your Heart?

Proof of Achievement of the Degree of Taqwa

Indeed, Taqwa is a degree of sincerity, one cannot claim easily. It cannot simply be obtained by the mere presence of Ramadan or just going for Hajj or simply Pray; there is a lot on the part of every individual in order to get to that degree. So if any one pray perfectly, fast sincerely, and perform Hajj just to satisfy Allah (SWT) as well as follow the way our beloved Prophet, than he might achieve Taqwa. The proof is that after performing those Ibadath the individual’s character must be changed. However, after performing those ibadath if individuals character remain un-change, such as he is still involved in back biting, jealousy, interest, do not fulfill committeemen, earning unlawful money, spreading rumor, herm other people, telling lies, etc. than how that individuals can claim that he achieve Taqwa. When a person achieves Taqwa, his speech and his actions will reflect on heart and he should be much disciplined all the time. His tongue is disciplined as with the rest of his body.

The Individual Who Achieve the Degree of Taqwa

A Momin who achieve TAQWA (Piety) is called Muttaquie (Pious).

Some attributes of a Muttaquie (Pious):

1. A Muttaquie loves Allah (SWT) more than any one else.

2. After Allah (SWT) a Muttaquie loves Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) more than any one else.

3. A Muttaqi being conscious of Allah (SWT) being all seeing never does any thing that may be considered sin that will displease Allah at him.

4. Muttaquie always has fear of the consequences of committing sin in his heart and is always is conscious of presence of Allah near him which stops him from committing sins.

5. A Muttaquie keeps all his body limbs under his control such as: tongue, eyes, hands, foots, and ears. Nobody get hart by a Muttaqi.

6. Neighbor's, colleagues, friends, and fellow Muslim brothers are always safe from a Muttaquie,

7. A Muttaquie is always thankful to Allah for His uncountable gifts / niama,

8. A Muttaquie is always Tawakkul to Allah (SWT) either in good or bad time, good time he says Alhamdu Lillah and bad time he says Nnna ----- rejeon.

Repeated Word inThe Holy Quran

Ibada & Taqwa Repeated in the Quran

Note: Allah (SWT) mentioned in the Holy Quran about obligatory prayers such as: Namaj, Fasting, Hajj and Zakat 82, 7, 9 and 32 times respectively, but about Taqwa 251 times. This indicate that how much important Taqwa is. So we have to pay attention / be sincere to achieve Taqwa.

Taqwa is only fear of Allah (SWT)?

Taqwa is not only mean fear, but also love of Allah (SWT). You do good deeds out of love and you stay away from bad deeds out of fear of Allah.

يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا اتَّقُوا اللَّهَ وَلْتَنْظُرْ نَفْسٌ مَا قَدَّمَتْ لِغَدٍ ۖ وَاتَّقُوا اللَّهَ ۚ إِنَّ اللَّهَ خَبِيرٌ بِمَا تَعْمَلُونَ

“O ye who believe! Fear Allah, and let every soul look to what (provision) He has sent forth for the morrow. Yea, fear Allah: for Allah is well-acquainted with (all) that ye do. (Surah: Al-Hashr: 59: 18)

Note: Muslims are taught to fear Allah (SWT). Not as a man fears another in cowardice. Not as a child fearing the bogey man. Not as a rich man who safe guards his wealth in fear of poverty. Fear Allah as in reverence which is analogous to love. Love Allah (SWT) more than anything in the world.

إِنَّهُمْ كَانُوا يُسَارِعُونَ فِي الْخَيْرَاتِ وَيَدْعُونَنَا رَغَبًا وَرَهَبًا ۖ وَكَانُوا لَنَا خَاشِعِينَ

“They used to race towards goodness, invoke Us with hope and fear and they were devout to Us.” (Surah: Al-Anbiyaa: 21: 90)

Note: Love and fear that a Muslim feels for Allah. A person with taqwa desires to be in the good pleasures of Allah and to stay away from those things that would displease Allah. He is careful not to go beyond the bounds and limits set by Allah (SWT). Abu Bakr (RA) used to say in his khutba: ‘I advise you to observe Taqwa and to praise Allah as He deserves to be praised. Mix hope and fear and combine importunity with asking (for help).

Taqwa is only limited to Salat (Namaj)?

No, Allah (SWT) mentioned in His Holy Quran:

لَيْسَ الْبِرَّ أَنْ تُوَلُّوا وُجُوهَكُمْ قِبَلَ الْمَشْرِقِ وَالْمَغْرِبِ وَلَٰكِنَّ الْبِرَّ مَنْ آمَنَ بِاللَّهِ وَالْيَوْمِ الْآخِرِ وَالْمَلَائِكَةِ وَالْكِتَابِ وَالنَّبِيِّينَ وَآتَى الْمَالَ عَلَىٰ حُبِّهِ ذَوِي الْقُرْبَىٰ وَالْيَتَامَىٰ وَالْمَسَاكِينَ وَابْنَ السَّبِيلِ وَالسَّائِلِينَ وَفِي الرِّقَابِ وَأَقَامَ الصَّلَاةَ وَآتَى الزَّكَاةَ وَالْمُوفُونَ بِعَهْدِهِمْ إِذَا عَاهَدُوا ۖ وَالصَّابِرِينَ فِي الْبَأْسَاءِ وَالضَّرَّاءِ وَحِينَ الْبَأْسِ ۗ أُولَٰئِكَ الَّذِينَ صَدَقُوا ۖ وَأُولَٰئِكَ هُمُ الْمُتَّقُونَ

“It is not taqwa that you turn your faces toward East or West, but it is taqwa to believe in Allah and the Last Day, and the Angels, and the Book and the Messengers, to spend of your substance out of love for Him, for your kin, for orphans, for the needy, for the wayfarer, for those who ask, and for the ransom of slaves; to be steadfast in prayer and practice regular charity; to fulfill the contracts you have made; to be firm and patient, in pain and adversity. Those are the truthful and those are the muttaqun.” Sura Bakara: 2:177

Taqwa is only limited to Salat (Namaj) and Fasting?

No

Hazrat Umar ibn Abdul Aziz (RA) said, "Taqwa is not by fasting the day and not by praying the night. And it's not by mixing between the two of them. But taqwa is leaving what Allah (SWT) has made Haram and by doing what Allah (SWT) has made Fard. After one has done this, Allah (SWT) will provide good things for that person."

Note: Umar ibn Abd al-Aziz (c. 682 - February, 720) was Umayyad caliph who ruled from 717 to 720. He was a great-grandson of Hazrat Umar (RA). He is considered as a Rightly Guided Khalifa (Khalifa Rashed). All muslims must obey the rightly guided khalifas as The Prophet (PBUH) said: "Therefore, hold fast to my Sunnah and the Sunnah of the rightly guided Khalifas. (Bukhari & Muslim)

Taqwa is only limited to believe in Allah (SWT) and the Day of Judgment?

No, there is the proof from the Holy Quran.

وَمِنَ النَّاسِ مَنْ يَقُولُ آمَنَّا بِاللَّهِ وَبِالْيَوْمِ الْآخِرِ وَمَا هُمْ بِمُؤْمِنِينَ

“And of the people there are some who say, ‘We believe in Allah and the Last Day;’ while they are not believers at all. Sura Bakara: 2:8

Who is the most honored person in the sight of Allah?

Allah (SWT) mentioned in the Holy Quran:

يَا أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ إِنَّا خَلَقْنَاكُمْ مِنْ ذَكَرٍ وَأُنْثَىٰ وَجَعَلْنَاكُمْ شُعُوبًا وَقَبَائِلَ لِتَعَارَفُوا ۚ إِنَّ أَكْرَمَكُمْ عِنْدَ اللَّهِ أَتْقَاكُمْ

O mankind! We have created you from a single male and female, and made you into nations and tribes that you may know each other. Verily the most honored amongst you in the sight of Allah is he who is most righteous (Taqwa) of you. Sura Hujurat: 49:13

Note: Any president / any king / any most rich man in this world / any great leader / any famous scientist / any great poet / any famous philosopher / any noble prize winner is the most honorable person in our society but without Taqwa he is not considered as an honorable person in front of Allah (SWT). On the other hand any poor person / office peon / sweeper / any day labor can be considered as an honorable person in front of Allah (SWT) if he had Taqwa.

Allah (SWT) advice (wasiat) mankind to have Taqwa

Allah (SWT) has given an advice (wasiat) to the whole mankind. The wasiat is to have Taqwa (to fear Allah). This has been the wasiat for men in all eras.

يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا كُتِبَ عَلَيْكُمُ الصِّيَامُ كَمَا كُتِبَ عَلَى الَّذِينَ مِنْ قَبْلِكُمْ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَتَّقُونَ

O ye who believe! fasting is prescribed for you, as it was prescribed for those before you, so that you may become righteous. Surah: 2: Al-Baqarah: 184

قَوْمَ فِرْعَوْنَ ۚ أَلَا يَتَّقُونَ وَإِذْ نَادَىٰ رَبُّكَ مُوسَىٰ أَنِ ائْتِ الْقَوْمَ الظَّالِمِينَ

"Behold, Allah called Moses "Go to the people of iniquity" The people of Pharaoh will they not have taqwa of Allah. Surah: Ash-Shu’ara: 26: 10 & 11

إِذْ قَالَ لَهُمْ أَخُوهُمْ نُوحٌ أَلَا تَتَّقُونَ كَذَّبَتْ قَوْمُ نُوحٍ الْمُرْسَلِينَ

"The people of Noah rejected the apostles Behold their brother Noah said to them will you not have taqwa of Allah.“Ash-Shu’ara: 26: 105 & 106

إِذْ قَالَ لَهُمْ شُعَيْبٌ أَلَا تَتَّقُونَ كَذَّبَ أَصْحَابُ الْأَيْكَةِ الْمُرْسَلِينَ

, "The companions of the wood rejected the Apostles. Behold Shu’aib said to them will you not have taqwa of Allah”. Surah: Ash-Shu’ara: 26: 176 & 177

وَإِنَّ إِلْيَاسَ لَمِنَ الْمُرْسَلِينَ إِذْ قَالَ لِقَوْمِهِ أَلَا تَتَّقُونَ

"So also was Elias among those sent (by us) Behold, he said to his people: Will you not have taqwa of Allah.“As-Saffat:37: 123 & 124.

يَا أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ اعْبُدُوا رَبَّكُمُ الَّذِي خَلَقَكُمْ وَالَّذِينَ مِنْ قَبْلِكُمْ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَتَّقُونَ

"O you people Submit to your Lord, the One who created you and those who came before you, that you may have the chance to learn taqwa.“ Surah:Al-Baqarah:2: 21

Note: From the above mentioned verses in the holy Quran we can realize that Taqwa is a general goal for sending messengers. If the Taqwa is found in the heart of the individuals, they don’t need any one to watch over them. Because his Taqwa is a shield between him and evils and it is pushing him to do righteousness. If Taqwa is missing or became weak in the heart of individuals nothing will stop and protect people from wrongdoing. We can see the above verses in the Holy Quran that the paigam (message) of the messengers to their followers is one that is "Obtain Taqwa of Allah and obey me (messengers)." Allah (SWT) mentioned it Prophet Noah, Hud, Salih, Sha’uib and Jesus (Peace Be Upon Them All). Allah (SWT) also advised to the Muslims in the Qur’an in surat Al-Emran, (verse 102), "O you who believe obtain Taqwa of Allah as should be, and do not die except in a states of Islam."

Reward of Taqwa: Forgive sin and remove hardship

Allah (SWT) strongly emphasizes the rewards of people with Taqwa in this life and the Hereafter. It is these “Muttaqeen” that Allah (SWT) grants assistance, victory and removes hardship. Thus, understanding the concept of Taqwa is vital and mandatory for every Muslim. Allah (SWT) promises:

“Whoever fears Allah, Allah will grant him a way out of hardship.” [Surah At-Talaq: 65:2]

Allah (SWT) had also promised forgiveness of sins to those people who are Muttaqoon.

“And whoever fears Allah, and keeps his duty to Him, He will forgive his sins from him and will enlarge his reward.” [Surah At-Talaq: 65:5]

As for those who fear their Lord unseen, for them is Forgiveness and a great Reward. [Surah Al-Mulk: 67:12]

Some Quranic Verses Concerning Taqwa

يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا اتَّقُوا اللَّهَ حَقَّ تُقَاتِهِ وَلَا تَمُوتُنَّ إِلَّا وَأَنْتُمْ مُسْلِمُونَ

"O you who believe! fear Allah as He should be feared and die not except in a state of Islam." [Aal-e-Imran: 3:102

يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا إِذَا تَنَاجَيْتُمْ فَلَا تَتَنَاجَوْا بِالْإِثْمِ وَالْعُدْوَانِ وَمَعْصِيَتِ الرَّسُولِ

وَتَنَاجَوْا بِالْبِرِّ وَالتَّقْوَىٰ ۖ وَاتَّقُوا اللَّهَ الَّذِي إِلَيْهِ تُحْشَرُونَ

O you who believe! When you hold secret counsel, do it not for sin and wrong-doing, and disobedience towards the Messenger (PBUH), but do it for Al-Birr (righteousness) and Taqwa (virtues and piety); and fear Allah unto Whom you shall be gathered. (Surah: Al-Mujadila: 58:9).

وَلَوْ أَنَّ أَهْلَ الْقُرَىٰ آمَنُوا وَاتَّقَوْا لَفَتَحْنَا عَلَيْهِمْ بَرَكَاتٍ مِنَ السَّمَاءِ وَالْأَرْضِ وَلَٰكِنْ كَذَّبُوا فَأَخَذْنَاهُمْ بِمَا كَانُوا يَكْسِبُونَ

And if the people of the towns had believed and had the Taqwa (piety), certainly, We should have opened for them blessings from the heaven and the earth, but they belied (the Messengers). So We took them (with punishment) for what they used to earn (polytheism and crimes). (Surah: Al-Araf: 7:96).

وَتَعَاوَنُوا عَلَى الْبِرِّ وَالتَّقْوَىٰ ۖ وَلَا تَعَاوَنُوا عَلَى الْإِثْمِ وَالْعُدْوَانِ ۚ وَاتَّقُوا اللَّهَ ۖ إِنَّ اللَّهَ شَدِيدُ الْعِقَابِ

Help you one another in Al-Birr and At-Taqwa (virtue, righteousness and piety); but do not help one another in sin and transgression. And fear Allah. Verily, Allah is Severe in punishment.(Surah:Al-Maeda:5:2).

يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا اتَّقُوا اللَّهَ وَلْتَنْظُرْ نَفْسٌ مَا قَدَّمَتْ لِغَدٍ

"O ye who believe! Have taqwa of Allah and let every soul look to what provision he has sent forth for the morrow." [Al-Hashar, 59:18].

Hadith Concerning Taqwa

Our beloved Prophet (PBUH) addressed the people signifying that the concept of Taqwa during the last Hajj Pilgrimage, saying: "O People! Your God is one; your father is one; no preference of an Arab neither over non-Arab nor of a non-Arab over an Arab or white over black or black over white except for the most righteous. Verily the most honored of you is the most righteous."

Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said, “The most common thing which leads people to Paradise is Taqwa of Allah and good conduct, and the most common thing which leads people to the Hell Fire is the mouth and the private parts.” [Tirmidhi]

As-Sa’di (RA) reported that the Prophet (PBUH) said, “The servant will not acquire the status of those with Taqwa until he abandons what is harmless out of fear of falling into that which is harmful.” [Ibn Majah, Tirmidhi]

Reported by a companion of our beloved Prophet, a person once asked, "Oh Messenger of Allah, give me some advice." The Prophet (PBUH) responded, "I advise you to fear Allah (SWT) because it is the head of everything." [Ahmad]. In another occasion the Prophet (PBUH) replied, "Fear Allah (SWT) because it is the collection of all goodness."

Some Key Points Concerning Taqwa

Conclusion

Taqwa (piety) is the heavenly water of life, and a Muttaqi (pious) is the fortunate one who has found it. Therefore I humbly request you kindly look into the concept of “Taqwa”, and to practice the total meaning of “Taqwa” in your private as well as in your public daily life. If you do so, you will be loved by Allah (SWT), and Insha’Allah you will enter the Jannah (paradise) and you will have the best of what is in the Jannah.

My Dua

Oh Allah give tawfique to all Muslim brothers and sisters to achieve the degree of “Taqwa” who are striving to achieve that, you are the Only One Who can offer that degree. Ameen.

Oh Allah rewarded those who have received as well as read the above compilation, and also those who practice it. Ameen.

Oh Allah accepts all of our good deeds and includes all of us in Your grateful servant’s (Muttaquie / Pious) lists. Ameen.

Our beloved Prophet (PBUH) said that “Whoever guides to the right, his reward is the same as of a person doing it”. [Muslim].

He knows what enters the earth and what comes out of it, and wha t

comes down from heaven and what goes up into it. And He is with you

wheresoever you may be. And Allah sees all that you do. Surah: Hadid:

57:4

whether you disclose what is in your minds or keep it hidden, Al lah will

call you to account for it. Surah: Bakara: 2: 284

If nobody hair something but there is One Who can hair,

If nobody see while any body is stilling but there is One Who ca n see,

If nobody knows your hidden place but there is One Who knows,

If nobody knows your secrete plan but there is One Who knows,

If nobody hair your whispering but there is One Who can hair,

If nobody listen your back biting but there is One Who can liste n,

Please ask the following question to your self

1. Be alert to whatever may divert you from Allah.

2. Be alert to the carnal pleasures that may lead to

the realm of the forbidden.

3. Ascribe all material and spiritual accomplish -

ments to Allah (SWT).

4. Never consider yourself as higher and better

than anyone else.

5. Long for Allah’s pleasure and satisfaction in all

affairs.

6. Renew the fountains of your Iman by studying

and reflecting on Allah ’s Quran.

7. Remember death, and live with the conscious

knowledge that it may happen at any time.

Abdullah bin `Umar(RA) reported: Messenger of Allah (S) took hold of my

shoulders and said, "Be in the world like a stranger or a wayfar er". Ibn`Umar(RA)

used to say: "When you survive till the evening, do not expect t o live until the

morning; and when you survive until the morning, do not expect t o live until the

evening; (do good deeds) when you are in good health before you fall sick, and (do

good deeds) as long as you are alive before death strikes". [ Bukhari].

FEAR ALLAH

ACT ACCORDING TO THE QURAN

PREPARE TO DEPART FROM THIS WORLD

BEING CONTENT WITH QALEEL

1.Taqwa against polytheism: Refraining from

polytheism by having faith in Allah. Thus, a person

protects himself/herself from hell.

2. Taqwâ against sins: Refraining from committing

the major sins and from insisting committing the

minor sins.

3. Taqwa against everything except Allah:

Abstaining from everything intercepting the

connection between Allah and the heart.

1.The first degree of taqwa is when a person stays away from Shir k.

With this, he will be saved from staying in Hell for eternity.

2.The second is staying away from Wrongdoings and performing His

Commands.

3.The third degree is to stay away from Syubhat (unknown /

suspicious). With this, he will be saved from a difficult Hisab.

4.The fourth degree is to be careful with the Mubah.

5.The fifth degree is to stay away from everything which makes hi m

forget Allah (SWT). With this, he is always with Allah. This is the

highest degree.

Note:Mubah is an action as neither forbidden nor recommended, better to

avoid