The Concept Of Piety In Islam

Akbar Ali RajwaniYaqoob Khalid KhanTaha BurhanuddinFahad Mansoori

Osama AaashiqeenArbaaz

Definition “O you who believe! fear Allah as He should be feared and die

not except in the state of Islam”

In spiritual terminology, “piety” is a virtue. In other words, it is a trait or quality deemed to be morally excellent and thus is valued as the foundation of principle and good moral being.

In Islam, the simplest meaning of Taqwa (Piety) is to protect oneself from the hellfire by following the commandments of Allah (SWT).

Definition Of Taqwa

► The word “Taqwa” has derived from the word “waqiya” which means to protect.

► The true meaning of Taqwa, other than performing all the obligations like salat and sawm, is GOD CONCIOUSNESS.

► Holy Prophet (May Allah Be Pleased with Him) stated in his last sermon: “I ask you to fear Allah (SWT), listen to Him (SWT) and obey”.

Levels Of Taqwa Taqwa helps an individual refrain from all the things that are

forbidden or disliked by Allah (SWT).

Taqwa does not mean that one reaches a certain level and remains there all the time: it increases with righteous deeds, declines due to sins.

Taqwa has three levels: 1. to be muwahhid.2. to fulfill the obligations and staying away from the forbidden.

3. to practice Ihsaan - Abstaining from everything intercepting the connection between Allah and the heart .

Increasing Taqwa – By Becoming Muwwahid

• Realising that there is no God but Allah (SWT) and He (SWT) is the only one worthy of worship.

• The Quran declares that: “Nothing is like him” (42:11). • He (SWT) is the sole Creator and the Sustainer of the entire

universe. He (SWT) begets not, nor is He (SWT) begotten. He (SWT) is eternal. No one can be compared with Him (SWT).

• Tawheed is of four types:

Tawheed al-Rububiyah

Tawheed al-Uluhiyah

Tawheed al Asma wa Sifaat

Tawheed al Itaaba

• All those who have firm believe in the above are the Muwahhids.

Increasing Taqwa – By Fulfilling Obligatory Acts

Taqwa can be achieved by fulfilling the obligatory acts. The obligatory acts include the five pillars of Islam:-

1. The first two Testimonies

2. Salaat

3. Sawm

4. Zakat

5. Hajj

Increasing Taqwa – By Abstaining from Haraam

• 'Umar ibn Abdul Aziz (RA) once said, "Taqwa is not by fasting the day and not by praying the night. And its 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.“

• Taqwa can be increased by following the path of Allah (SWT) and abstaining from Haram.

• In Islam, numerous things have been stated as Haraam.

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