<div style="text-align: justify; "><span style="font-size: 1rem;">Taqwa (piety) has been mentioned in the Holy Quran in more than 60 locations, and the derivatives, have been mentioned in more than 190 locations. We hear it mentioned all the time at the beginning of every Jummah (Friday Prayer). So the question that often arises, “What is Taqwa?” and “How can I attain Taqwa?”</span><br></div><div style="text-align: justify; "><br></div><div style="text-align: justify; ">W<b>hat is the meaning of Taqwa?</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify; ">There are many meanings and understandings of the word Taqwa. Often, it is translated as “Fear of God”, and while fearing Allah is part of Taqwa, its meaning is deeper than this.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The linguistic meaning of Taqwa is “a shield or protective barrier”. It is to protect oneself from what angers Allah. Some scholars define Taqwa as placing a protective barrier between yourself and Allah’s punishment. Taqwa also means doing that which Allah has enjoined and avoiding that which He has forbidden.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">An incredible example that demonstrates this, is when Umar Ibn Al-Khattab (may Allah be pleased with him) asked Ubay Ibn Ka’ab (may Allah be pleased with him) about Taqwa.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Ubay said “Have you ever taken a thorny path?” Umar replied, “Yes I have.” Ubay then asked, “So how did you travel along this thorny path?” Umar replied, “I rolled up my garment and was cautious as to where I would tread to avoid being pricked by the thorns.” So Ubay responded and said, “This is Taqwa.”</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">This example explains the meaning of Taqwa. It illustrates how a person of Taqwa is cautious and careful with where they tread, not out of fear of stepping on a thorn, but out of fear of stepping into what Allah SWT has prohibited. They are aware of Allah SWT with every action and step they take.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify; "><b>The virtues and benefits of having Taqwa</b></div><div style="text-align: justify; "><br></div><div style="text-align: justify; "><b>Taqwa is one of the most virtuous characteristics a Muslim can have. Allah says:</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify; "><b>“Verily, the most honourable of you with Allah is that (believer) who has At-Taqwa. Verily, Allah is All-Knowing, All-Aware.”</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Quran 49:13</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify; "><b>“Indeed, Allah loves the Muttaqeen.”</b></div><div style="text-align: justify; "><b>Quran 3:76</b></div><div style="text-align: justify; "><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Through these verses, we understand that the believers most honored by Allah are those that have Taqwa. If we want to please Allah and earn Allah’s pleasure, we should strive to have Taqwa.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Abu Sa`id Al Khudri narrated that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ was asked, “Which of the people are most virtuous?” He said, “A man who takes part in Jihad in Allah’s cause.” They said, “Then whom?” He said, “Then a believer who stays in one of the mountains path out of Taqwa for his Lord, leaving the people secure from his evil.”</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Al Tirmidhi</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style=""><b><u>Taqwa leads to guidance from Allah:</u></b></div><div style="text-align: justify; "><br></div><div style="text-align: justify; "><b>“This is the Book about which there is no doubt, a guidance for the Muttaqeen”</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Quran 2:2</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify; "><b>Taqwa grants us the ability to distinguish between truth and falsehood:</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">“O you who have believed, if you have Taqwa of Allah, He will grant you a criterion and will remove from you your misdeeds and forgive you.”</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Quran 8:29</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">When facing difficulties, those who have Taqwa will be granted a way out by Allah SWT and will be granted ease in their affairs:</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify; "><b>“And whoever has Taqwa of Allah – He will make for him a way out and will provide for him from where he does not expect.”</b></div><h5 class="" style="text-align: justify; ">Quran 65:2-3</h5><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify; "><b>“And whoever has Taqwa of Allah – He will make for him of his matter ease.”</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Quran 65:4</b></div><div style="text-align: justify; "><br></div><div style="text-align: justify; ">bnbd24/kh</div>