Taqwá

One of the early Companions of the Prophet gave an example of taqwá.

"If one is walking through a forest where there are many thorns, one walks carefully so as not to get pricked or get one's clothes torn."

 

• All gratitude and praise is to Allah, whom we seek His help and forgiveness. 

• We seek refuge in Him from whatever evil our hearts conceal and from the consequences of our evil deeds. 

• Whoever Allah grants guidance will never be led astray. 

• Whoever He leads astray will never find guidance. 

• I confirm that none is worthy of worship except Allah, who has no partners, and that Mohammad is His slave and Messenger

Dear Bothers and sisters in every Friday prayer we hear this Ayah in which Allah SWT addressing the believers to perform Taqwá and to do rightly and not to die except being Muslims. We may stop here for a moment to address the meaning of al Taqwá and how should we practice it the right way.

 

The Definition of Taqwá has been listed as

• An Islamic behavior, conduct or attitude of the sense of fearfulness towards Allah

• Refraining from transgressing the boundaries set by Allah

• Consciousness of God’s existence

• Constant awareness of God's encompassing knowledge and attributes

• Obedience to the commands of Allah

Therefore, the practice of Taqwa should be included in every aspect of our lives; in dealing with family, friends, neighbors, workers, employees, animals, properties, nature and every thing that you may imagine surrounding us.

Now the question rises here; do we have some descriptions and rewards for the people who follow this behavior? The answer is yes.

The person who fears Allah, conscious of his existence and acting toward pleasing Allah is called Muttaqy and the plural is Muttaqoon or Muttaqueen .

These individuals are to obey without defiance, remember without forgetfulness, and thank without ingratitude."

 

So what are the qualities and characteristics of these people as mentioned in Qur'an. The Characteristics a re as follows:

In surat Al Bakarh

Who believe in the Ghaib (Unknown) and perform As-Salat , and spend out of what Allah provided for them. 

 

And who believe in what has been revealed to you and what was revealed before you as in Torah and bible  and they believe with certainty in the day of Judgment.  

They are on guidance from their lord, and they are successful.

Birr an Arabic word for piety and righteousness. So Ayah explains ; It is not piety, righteousness that you turn your faces towards east and (or) west (in prayers); but Al-Birr is the one who believes in Allah,  the day of judgment, the Angels,    the Scriptures,   the Prophets and gives his wealth, in spite of love for it, to the relatives, orphans, poor, and passing-by, and to those who ask, and to set slaves free, performs As-Salat , and gives Zakat, and who fulfill their promise when they promise, and who are patient ones, in extreme hardship and ailment and at the time of war. Such are the people of the truth and they are Al-Muttaqun.

( Al Bakarah.2:177).

 

In surat Al Imran

Those who spend in prosperity and hardship, suppress anger, and pardon people; Truly, Allah loves Al-Muhsinun (the good doer.)

(Al - Imran 2:134)

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Those who, when they have committed Fahishah (illegal sexual intercourse etc.) or wrongly treated themselves, then remember Allah and ask forgiveness for their sins; - when none can forgive sins but Allah - And do not persist in what they knowingly and wrongly have done

(Al-Emran 2:135).

 

In surat Al-Ma’idah, (verse 8) 

Allah addressing the believers to Stand out firmly for Allah and be fair and do not let the hate of others make you shun justice. Be just: that is closer to faithfulness, and fear Allah. Verily, Allah is Well-Acquainted with what you do.

 

In surat Al-Hajj, (verse 32) 

 

A llah (S.W.T.) says "Thus it is. And whosoever honors the symbols of Allah, then it is truly from the Taqwá of the heart.".

 

In surat Al-Hujurat, (verse 3)

Allah (S.W.T.) says “Certainly! Those who lower their voices in the presence of messenger of Allah, they are the ones whose hearts are tested for Taqwá. They have forgiveness and a great reward  

surat At-Taghabun, (verse 16),

 

Ibad Allah; Based on these descriptions, one may say that  it seems to be very exhaustive to people to practice Taqwá: although we find in another Ayah that Allah (S.W.T.) revealed in

 

Allah, addressing the believers to practice Taqwá as much as they can; listen and obey; and spend in charity that is better for yourselves. And whosoever is saved from his own greediness, and then they are the successful ones