Taqwa
From ilmpedia
Taqwa is one of those unique words in the Arabic language that cannot simply be translated into a word or two in English. As a result, many translators struggle to bring out the real meaning of the word taqwa.
Literally it means to protect and could be that one protects himself from the Wrath of Allah by protecting himself from indulging in things that Allah forbids.
In the Shariah, taqwa as used in the Qur'an repeatedly, signifies the obedience to the rules of Islam while avoiding Haram, and additionally abstaining from unsuitable things in life.
"It is not righteousness that ye turn your faces Towards east or West; but it is righteousness- 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 fulfil the contracts which ye have made; and to be firm and patient, in pain (or suffering) and adversity, and throughout all periods of panic. Such are the people of truth, the muttaqun." (Qur'an 2:177)
"O mankind! We created you from a single (pair) of a male and a female, and made you into nations and tribes, that ye may know each other (not that ye may despise (each other). Verily the most honoured of you in the sight of Allah is (he who has) the most Taqwa from among you. And Allah has full knowledge and is well acquainted (with all things).” (Qur’an 49:13)
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Explanation
The Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) also 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." [1]
Tafsir ibn Kathir mentions that Atiyah As-Sa’di said the Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) 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.” [2]
Ali bin Abi Talib defined Taqwa as being the 'fear of Jaleel (Allah), acting upon the tanzeel (Qur'an), being content with qaleel (little), and preparing for the day of raheel (journeying from this world)'.
Translations of the word
In a simplistic way the Arabic translation of Taqwa is "God consciousness" or wariness of Allah. It is that sense of fear that one may feel at the edge of a cliff or when you are about to fall off a ladder, your body goes into an instinctual mode and thus you try and to protect yourself. This also happens during attacks, whether it be from an animal or a human, the body will not allow you to go out without a fight, for you are scared for your life and this is some of what Taqwa is.
Taqwa has been translated as the "fear of God" by various sources over the years. However, that limiting definition does not do justice to the beautiful concept of Taqwa. Muslims are to be guided by the love of Allah, and the willingness to obey what Allah has mandated in the Quran.
In the Quran, the idea of Taqwa is mentioned extensively as the way Muslims should live their lives in order to please God and attain success in this world and the hereafter. Verse after verse in the Quran states that the path to happiness and fulfillment in this world is letting Taqwa guide daily decisions.
Beneifts of being a Muttaqi
Muttaqi refers to a person who has the quality of Taqwa.
Allah says,
"Allah delivers those who have Taqwa to their salvation. Evil does not touch them and they do not greive." (Qur'an: 39:61)
"Allah loves those who have Taqwa" (Qur'an 9:4)
"Allah is with those who have Taqwa" (Qur'an 16:128)
"Surely the most honored of you, has the most Taqwa" (Qur'an 49:13)
The Prophet Muhammad (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) said:
"Have Taqwa wherever you are and follow up a bad deed with a good one and it shall erase it; and behave toward people in a gracious manner".
Sayings of the Scholars concerning Taqwa
According to Tafsir ibn Kathir, the root meaning of taqwa is to avoid what one dislikes.
It was reported that Umar bin Khattab asked Ubay ibn Kaab about Taqwa. Ubay said, "Have you ever walked on a path that has thorns on it?" Umar said, "Yes." Ubay said, "What did you do then?" He said, "I rolled up my sleeves and struggled." Ubay said, "That is taqwa."
Abdullah bin Abbas said about verse 2:5 in the Quran, "guidance for the Muttaqin", that it means, "They are the believers who avoid shirk with Allah and who work in His obedience." He also said that Al-Muttaqin means, "Those who fear Allah's punishment, which would result if they abandoned the true guidance that they recognize and know. They also hope in Allah's Mercy by believing in what He revealed."
Hasan al-Basri said, "Taqwa is the basis of Deen. Desire and greed destroy this basis.”
What Taqwa is not
“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.” (Qur’an 2:177)
“O mankind! We have created you from a male and a female, and made you into nations and tribes, that you may know one another. Verily, the most honourable of you with Allah is that (believer) who has Taqwa. Verily, Allah is All-Knowing, All-Aware.” (Qur’an 49:13)
Achieving Taqwa
The first way to achieve taqwa of Allah is reciting the Qur’an reflecting upon its meanings and implementing its verses.
Allah says in the Quran 2:121 what can be translated as, "Those to whom We gave the book (the Qur’an) recite it as it should be recited, they are the ones that believe therein. And who disbelieves in it (the Qur’an), those are the losers."
Imam Ibn Kathir says about this verse that Ibn Masud said,
"By the one whose hand my soul is in, the real recitation of Qur’an is to adopt its halal and refrain from doing its haram, and recite it exactly like Allah has revealed it, without altering the meaning of its words, and without interpreting anything from it except the way it is to be interpreted, so it is to be followed faithfully." Umar said about reciting the Qur’an the way it should be, "They (the ones who really recite Qur’an) are the ones who, when they pass by a verse of mercy, asked it from Allah, and when they pass by a verse of punishment, they seek refuge from it, like the Prophet Muhammad (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) used to do.
Allah also says in Surah Fatir:28, what can be translated as, "…It is only those who have knowledge among His servants that have Taqwa."
In Surah Saad:29, what can be translated as, "(This is) a book (the Qur’an) which We have sent down to you, full of blessings that they may ponder over its verses, and that men of understanding may remember."
Notes
This ilmpedia.net article is based on the work of Ustadh Luqman Al-Andalusi.
