Nahda Online

Taqwah – Piety and God consciousness

Nahda Crew Gathering Summary

Week 17 – Sat 5 – July 2008.

Allah says “Alif Laam Meem. This is the book, in it is guidance sure without doubt, for those who have Taqwa” [2:2]

Taqwa is one of the most important concepts in Islam. Taqwa is an avenue by which Muslims relate to one another in society and a means to channel their actions. Because of the great importance of Taqwa, it has been referred to numerous times in the Qur’an and Sunnah in order to emphasise its relevance and significance to the Muslims.

Allah (swt) strongly emphasises the rewards of people with Taqwa in this life and the Hereafter. It is these Muttaqeen that Allah (swt) grants assistance, victory, and provides for. Thus, understanding the concept of Taqwa is vital and mandatory for every Muslim.

Unfortunately, this is the very concept which the Muslims have left behind, as a result of faulty education. The disbelievers in the distant past, as well as in present times, have understood the importance of Taqwa and the Islamic creed, and how it could jeopardise their interests. They realised how Taqwa and the Islamic creed (Aqeedah) were the roots of power to the Muslims. Thus they began to warp and dilute it by adding Greek, Persian, and Hindu ideas and philosophies to it. Eventually, the Muslims began to incorporate the false ideas of the body and soul, and their inter-relationship, into the original, pristine Islamic Concept of Taqwa.

As a result, Muslims started portraying a person possessing Taqwa as soft-spoken, elevated, calm, pious, spiritual, and adorned with a certain type of holy attire (clothing). A picture of a person who shows prayer, fasting, and things such as donating to the Masjid, while living a secluded and isolated life would be the one with Taqwa, even though the same person might deal with usury, lie, and sell alcohol. They began manufacturing their own version of Taqwa and fed this false sentiment to the Ummah.

In contrast to this distorted picture the Qur’an and Sunnah defines the idea of Taqwa as protecting oneself from the Hellfire by following the orders of Allah (swt) by doing what He (swt) has commanded and avoiding what He (swt) has forbidden. Many Ayat in the Qur’an point up these ideas,

“And unto Allah belongs all that is in the heavens and all that is on earth. And, verily, We have recommended to the people of the Scripture before you, and to you (O Muslims) that you (all) fear Allah (have Taqwa), and keep your duty to Him, But if you disbelieve, then unto Allah belongs all that is in the heavens and all that is in the earth, and Allah is Ever Rich, Worthy of all praise.” [An-Nisa 4: 131]

Also, in the Prophet’s (saw) last Khutba he said, “I ask you to fear Him (swt), listen to Him (swt), and obey.” Both the Ayah, as well as the Hadith, are commanding Muslims to have Taqwa. A person should have Taqwa as a barrier between himself and the Anger and Displeasure of Allah (swt). Through Taqwa, the Muslim strives to obey Allah (swt) and abstains from His prohibitions.

The son of Ali (ra), Al-Hasan (ra) once said, “The people who have Taqwa (Al-Muttaqoon) are the people who avoided whatever Allah (swt) has prohibited and have done whatever Allah (swt) has ordained.”

‘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.”

How can we undertake this if we do not know what Allah likes or dislikes? (‘Ilm Daroorah)

A true Muttaqoon is a person who strives to possess a solid understanding and knowledge of the rulings of Allah (swt) through the Qur’an and Sunnah. Without proper knowledge of the Islamic rulings, a person would not know what is asked of him/her. Therefore, it is a must to understand Islam properly as well as to have the proper intention of pleasing Allah (swt) in carrying out these actions.

Imam Ahmad mentions a Hadith, narrated by a Sahabi, whereby a person once asked, “Oh Messenger of Allah, give me some advice.” The Prophet (saaw) responded, “I advise you to fear Allah (swt) because it is the head of everything.” In another occasion the Prophet (saaw) replied, “Fear Allah (swt) because it is the collection of all goodness.”

The Sahabah, may Allah be pleased with them, demonstrated this on many occasions. This can be demonstrated through the incident of Abu Dharr Ghaffari and Bilal al-Habashi.

Abu Dharr was once engaged in an argument with Bilal. In the heat of the disagreement, Abu Dharr addressed Bilal as “You son of a black woman!” Bilal’s response was not to insult Abu Dharr as some Muslims might do today. He immediately went to Rasullallah (saw) and relayed what Abu Dharr had said. The Prophet addressing Abu Dharr said “You have exceeded the limit O Abu Dharr ! You still have traces of Jahilliyah in your mind. There is no difference between an Arab and a non-Arab except by Taqwa “

Upon hearing this Abu Dharr (ra) immediately placed his head on the ground and urged Bilal (ra) to stamp Abu Dharr’s face in the ground with his own Abyssinian feet. Bilal did not do so.

Thereafter, Allah revealed the verse: “O mankind! We created you from a single (pair) of a male and a female, and made you into nations and tribes, that you may know one another. Verily the most honoured of you in the sight of Allah is (he who is) the most righteous of you. And Allah has full knowledge and is well acquainted (with all things).” [49:13]

Allah (swt) also promises to be with those who have Taqwa. Allah (swt) says,

Truly, Allah is with those who fear Him (have Taqwa), keep their duty unto Him, and those who are Muhsinun (doers of good for Allah’s sake only.) “[An-Nahl 16: 128]

Also Taqwa constitutes a reason that Allah (swt) has provided in order to help one who is experiencing hardship and distress. Allah (swt) promises,

“Whoever fears Allah, Allah will grant him a way out of hardship.” [At Thalaaq 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.” [At-Thalaaq 65: 5]

Allah (swt) has given the glad tidings for those who have Taqwa. The news of paradise is assured to such people, giving hints at the vast rewards to those who take Allah (swt) as their Lord in their actions.

“Verily those who are fearful of Allah (have Taqwa) are the people who, when an evil thought comes to them from Satan, they remember Allah and indeed they then see aright.” [Al-Araf 7: 201]

Hence, from what Allah (swt) has outlined through the Wahi, we can see that a person who possesses Taqwa is not one who lives an isolated life, only praying, fasting, and maintaining good character alone. Instead, the Muttaqoon are those who fear Allah (swt) and look to what Allah (swt) has commanded in carrying out his actions to avoid His (swt) displeasure and anger. These people are involved with the Ummah, active in his/her life, concerned with the affairs of the Muslims, while at the same time praying, fasting, spending in Allah’s cause, having good morals, and are forgiving. All these descriptions can be attributed to a person who has Taqwa.