This Article focuses on the benefits and merits of having Taqwaa.
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Taqwaa involves safeguarding one’s self from sin and transgression by abandoning objectionable and unlawful behavior. Amore comprehensive level of taqwaa can be achieved through the abandonment of some permissible actions. This is the type of taqwaa that the Prophet ﷺ mentions in his statement:
إِنَّ الْحَلَالَ بَينَ وَإِنَّ الْحَرَامَ بَينَ وَبَيْنَهُمَا مُشْتَبِهَاتٌ لَا يَعْلَمُهُنَّ كَثِيرٌ مِنَ النَّاسِ فَمَنْ اتَّقَى الشُّبُهَاتِ اسْتَبْرَأَ لِدِينِهِ وَعِرْضِهِ.» (مسلم)
“What has been made lawful is clear and what has been made unlawful is clear, but between the two of them are doubtful matters which many people do not know about. So whoever prevent himself from these doubtful matters safeguards his religion and his honor.” (Muslim)
From this narration we can understand that one of the distinct benefits of taqwaa is the preservation of a Muslim’s religion and honor.
‘Umar ibn ‘Abdul-‘Azeez said: “Taqwaa is not just mere fasting during the day and praying at night while continuing to engage in questionable behavior. Rather, observing taqwaa concerning Allah involves the abandonment of prohibited actions and the performance of religious obligations.” So from the fruits of taqwaa is behavior that reflects an individual’s obedience to Allah ﷻ .
Also from the fruits of taqwaa is the development of self restraint as the companion of the prophet, Maymoon ibn Mahraan, said in his statement: “The person who has taqwaa observes more restraint than a miser does when he does business with a partner.”
Allah ﷻ commands the believers to observe taqwaa in many verses of the Qur’aan. Then after commanding His servants to maintain taqwaa, Allah then informs His servants of how taqwaa will benefit them in the life of this world as well as the Hereafter. Allah ﷻ says that He will grant the people of taqwaa forgiveness and expiate their sins in His statement:
يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوٓا۟ إِن تَتَّقُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ يَجْعَل لَّكُمْ فُرْقَانًۭا وَيُكَفِّرْ عَنكُمْ سَيِّـَٔاتِكُمْ وَيَغْفِرْ لَكُمْ ۗ وَٱللَّهُ ذُو ٱلْفَضْلِ ٱلْعَظِيمِ ( سورة الأنفال : ٢٩ )
“O you who believed, if you fear, then He will grant you a criterion and will expiate your sins and forgive you. And Allah is the possessor of great bounty.” (Soorat al-Anfaal: 29)
Allah also informs His servants that the people of taqwaa will be rewarded with Paradise and that they will be granted entry to gardens, springs, and other pleasures in the hereafter. Allah ﷻ says:
إِنَّ ٱلْمُتَّقِينَ فِى جَنَّـٰتٍۢ وَعُيُونٍ ( سورة الحجر : ٤٥ )
“Indeed, the righteous will be in gardens and springs.” (Soorat al-Hijir : 45)
And He says:
إِنَّ ٱلْمُتَّقِينَ فِى جَنَّـٰتٍۢ وَنَعِيمٍۢ ( سورة الطور: ١٧)
“Indeed, the righteous will be in gardens and pleasure,” (Soorat at-Toor: 17)
In three verses from Soorat at-Talaaq, Allah ﷻ mentions how He will honor the people of taqwaa by helping them through times of difficulty, making their affair easy, and expiating their sins.
Certainly, the fruits of taqwaa are many. But perhaps the most important of these fruits is the promise of success in the Hereafter that has been given to the people of taqwaa. Allah ﷻ says:
إِنَّ لِلْمُتَّقِينَ مَفَازًا ( سورة النبأ : ٣١)
“Indeed, for the righteous is great success.” (Soort an-Naba: 31)
So it is upon the Muslim to seek after this success in the Hereafter by striving to maintain taqwaa while he/she is in this world.
Learning from the lesson
- Taqwaa may involve abandoning certain permissible actions.
- Observing taqwaa helps to preserve the religion and honor of Muslims.
- People who have taqwaa will be successful in the Hereafter.
Discussion
- Discuss how the presence of taqwaa positively affects a Muslim’s relationship with his/her Lord, family, colleagues and community. Write down your thoughts and ideas in the form of a list.
