Tips and Steps to Increase Taqwa (Piety)
Question: Dear Sheikh! As-Salam
`Alaykum! We all seek Allah’s satisfaction and
His pleasure. Taqwa, being the main way to gain
Allah’s pleasure needs great efforts to be attained. Could you enlighten me on
this point?
Name of Mufti Islam
Online Fatwa Editing Desk
Content
of
In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most
Merciful.
All
thanks and praise are due to Allah and peace and
blessings be upon His Messenger.
Dear
questioner! We would like to voice our appreciation to you for the great
confidence you repose in us and this apparent keenness on understanding the
teachings of Islam.
In
fact, your question emanates from ever flowing desires for guidance and
righteousness. May Allah guide you to what pleases Him!
You
are quite right in what you said about Taqwa (piety).
Yes, brother! Taqwa (piety) is something that can be
achieved, not by sleeping in bed, but by meticulous efforts and sincere and
ceaseless work to gain
Elaborating
more on this, we’d like to make it clear that “Taqwa
(piety) is derived from wiqaya, which means
self-defense and avoidance. Sufis define it as protecting oneself from Allah’s
punishment by performing His commands and avoiding His prohibitions. Besides
its literal and technical meanings, in religious books we find the meanings of
piety and fear used interchangeably. In fact, Taqwa
(piety) is a comprehensive term denoting a believer’s strict observance of the
commandments of the
The
concept—even the actual word—of Taqwa (piety) is
unique to the Qur’an and the religious system of
Islam. Its comprehensive meaning encompasses the spiritual and material; its
roots are established in this world, while its branches, leaves, flowers, and
fruits are located in the Hereafter. One cannot understand the Qur’an without considering the meaning or content of the
fascinating and wonderful concept of Taqwa (piety),
and one cannot be muttaqi (pious) if one does not
adhere consciously and continually to the practices and concepts outlined in
the Qur’an.
In
its very beginning, the Qur’an opens its door to the
pious: “This is the Book about and in which there is no doubt, a guidance for
the pious” (Al-Baqarah: 2), and calls on people to
live in accordance with it so that they may be pious: “O men! Worship your
Lord, Who created you and those before you, so that you may be pious” (Al-Baqarah: 21) (and protect yourselves from His punishment)
The
most lovable act in Allah’s sight is piety (Taqwa
(piety)), His most purified servants are the pious, and His matchless message
to them is the Qur’an. In this world, the pious have
the Qur’an; in the Hereafter, they enjoy Allah’s
vision and pleasure. The pleasure felt in the conscience and spirit is another
gift of piety, and in order to recall the importance of piety, the Almighty
decrees: Fear Allah and be devoted to Him as He should be feared and devoted to
(Al-`Imarn: 101).
Piety,
which is the conscious performance of good and avoidance of evil, prevents
individuals from joining the lowest of the low and causes them to advance on
the path of the highest of the high. For this reason, one who attains piety has
found the source of all good and blessing. The following is another testimony
to this fact:
To
whomever Allah has given religion and piety,
He
has realized his aims in this world and the next.
Whoever
is a soldier of Allah and pious,
He
is prosperous and truly guided, not a wretched one.
Whoever
has nothing to do with piety,
His
existence is but a shame and disgrace.
One
lifeless with respect to truth is not truly alive;
Only
one who has found a way to Allah is alive.
Piety
is an invaluable treasure, the matchless jewel in a priceless treasure of
precious stones, a mysterious key to all doors of good, and a mount on the way
to
In
its limited sense, Taqwa (piety) means sensitivity to
the commandments of the
Perfect
sincerity or purity of intention can be attained by avoiding all signs of
associating partners with Allah, while perfect piety can be achieved by
refraining from all doubtful and risky deeds. According to
the Hadith: “The lawful is evident and the forbidden
is also evident. Between these two are things which most of the people
do not know whether they are lawful or forbidden.” A truly righteous, spiritual
life depends on being sensitive to matters about which there is some doubt. The
Hadith just mentioned points out that the Law-Giver
has clearly explained in broad terms what is allowed and what is forbidden.
However,
as many things are not clearly allowed or forbidden, only those who avoid such
doubtful things can lead a truly religious life. Using a simile in the
continuation of the Hadith, the Prophet, peace and
blessings be upon him, said: “It is possible for one who does doubtful things
to commit forbidden acts, just as it is possible for the flock of a shepherd
pasturing near a field belonging to another or the public to enter that field.
Know that each king has a private area under his protection; the private area
of Allah is forbidden things. Also know that there is a part of flesh in the
body. If it is healthy, the body will become healthy; if it is ailing, the body
will be ailing. That part is the heart.” (Reported by An-Nawawi)
In
light of this basic foundation for a healthy spiritual life, perfect piety can
be obtained by avoiding doubtful things and minor sins. In order to do this,
however, one must know what is lawful and what is forbidden, and have a certain
knowledge of Allah. We can find the combination of piety and knowledge in these
two verses: “The noblest, most honorable of you in the sight of Allah is the
most advanced of you in Taqwa (piety)” (Al-Hujurat: 13), and: “Only the learned among His servants
fear and revere Allah.” (Fatir: 28). Piety brings
honor and nobility, and knowledge leads one to fear and revere Allah.
Individuals who combine piety and knowledge in their hearts are mentioned in
the Qur’an as those who succeed in the test of piety:
“They are those whose hearts Allah has tested for piety.” (Al-Hujurat: 3).
In
the context of worship and obedience, piety means purity of heart, spiritual
profundity, and sincerity. In the context of refraining from what is unlawful,
piety means being determined not to commit sins and to avoid doubtful things.
The
following may help in this regard:
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 accomplishments to Allah.
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 creation.
7-Remember
death, and live with the conscious knowledge that it may happen at any time.
In
conclusion, Taqwa (piety) is the heavenly water of
life, and a Muttaqi (pious) is the fortunate one who
has found it. Only a few individuals have achieved the blessing of this
attainment.”
Excerpted,
with slight modifications, from: www.thewaytotruth.org
Almighty
Allah knows best.