The Meaning of Taqwa and How to Achieve It, by the Scholar and Others
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Question:
This sister, the questioner, Umm Ibrahim, says: Tell us about taqwa and its reality. Also, I ask: how can one who has no knowledge be mindful of Allah, like us women who are housewives? Please answer us on this, may Allah reward you.
Answer:
In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. All praise is due to Allah, Lord of the worlds, and may Allah send prayers and blessings upon our Prophet Muhammad, and upon his family and all his Companions. As for what follows, the word *taqwa* (mindfulness of Allah) is a comprehensive term for all the attributes of goodness. All the attributes of goodness and all acts of worship are *taqwa* for Allah (Mighty and Majestic). It is called that because it protects one from the punishment of Allah and from the anger of Allah (Mighty and Majestic). Allah has commanded *taqwa* and has enjoined it upon the first and the last of people. Indeed,[An-Nisa 4:131]. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) used to exhort people to it in his Friday sermons and others. [Al-Hajj 22:1] Allah. Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He) said: [Al-Ahzab 33:70]. [Al-Baqarah 2:21]. [Al-Hashr 59:18]. Meaning: [Al-Hashr 59:18].
[Al-Ahzab 33:70] obeying the disbelievers and the hypocrites. Indeed, Allah was All-Knowing, Wise. So *taqwa* of Allah is commanded for all creation, even the Prophets (peace and blessings be upon them), because of the people's need for it. Its definition is doing the commands of Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He) in hope of His reward, and leaving the sins and disobediences in fear of the punishment. This is the reality of *taqwa*. And the Muslim must fear Allah constantly and forever. It is the best provision, as He (Glorified and Exalted is He) said: [Al-Baqarah 2:197]. And the one who has *taqwa* is the most honorable of creation. Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He) said: [Al-Hujurat 49:13]. So the criterion is not lineage, nor wealth, nor status, but rather the criterion is *taqwa* of Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He). Yes. May Allah reward you.
One fears Allah according to his ability. For the scholar, *taqwa* of Allah is more emphasized in his case because he knows. And the layperson also fears Allah, leaves what is forbidden, and refers to the scholars regarding what is difficult for him so that he may avoid what is not permissible. And he fears Allah according to his ability and his effort. Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He) said:[At-Taghabun 64:16] Yes.
This sister, the questioner, Umm Ibrahim, says: Tell us about taqwa and its reality. Also, I ask: how can one who has no knowledge be mindful of Allah, like us women who are housewives? Please answer us on this, may Allah reward you.
Answer:
In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. All praise is due to Allah, Lord of the worlds, and may Allah send prayers and blessings upon our Prophet Muhammad, and upon his family and all his Companions. As for what follows, the word *taqwa* (mindfulness of Allah) is a comprehensive term for all the attributes of goodness. All the attributes of goodness and all acts of worship are *taqwa* for Allah (Mighty and Majestic). It is called that because it protects one from the punishment of Allah and from the anger of Allah (Mighty and Majestic). Allah has commanded *taqwa* and has enjoined it upon the first and the last of people. Indeed,
those who were given the Scripture before you and yourselves to fear Allah
الَّذِينَ أُوتُوا الْكِتَابَ مِن قَبْلِكُمْ وَإِيَّاكُمْ أَنِ اتَّقُوا اللَّهَO mankind, fear your Lord. Indeed, the convulsion of the [final] Hour is a terrible thing.
يَا أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ اتَّقُواO you who have believed, fear Allah and speak words of appropriate justice.
يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا اتَّقُوا اللَّهَ وَقُولُوا قَوْلًا سَدِيدًاO mankind, worship your Lord, who created you and those before you, that you may become righteous -
يَا أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ اعْبُدُوا رَبَّكُمُ الَّذِي خَلَقَكُمْ وَالَّذِينَ مِن قَبْلِكُمْ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَتَّقُونَO you who have believed, fear Allah
يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا اتَّقُوا اللَّهَAnd let every soul look to what it has put forth for tomorrow - and fear Allah. Indeed, Allah is Acquainted with what you do.
وَلْتَنظُرْ نَفْسٌ مَّا قَدَّمَتْ لِغَدٍ وَاتَّقُوا اللَّهَ إِنَّ اللَّهَ خَبِيرٌ بِمَا تَعْمَلُونَO you who have believed, fear Allah and speak
يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا اتَّقُوا اللَّهَ وَقُولُواAnd take provisions, but indeed, the best provision is fear of Allah.
وَتَزَوَّدُوا فَإِنَّ خَيْرَ الزَّادِ التَّقْوَىٰO mankind, indeed We have created you from male and female and made you peoples and tribes that you may know one another. Indeed, the most noble of you in the sight of Allah is the most righteous of you.
يَا أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ إِنَّا خَلَقْنَاكُم مِّن ذَكَرٍ وَأُنثَىٰ وَجَعَلْنَاكُمْ شُعُوبًا وَقَبَائِلَ لِتَعَارَفُوا إِنَّ أَكْرَمَكُمْ عِندَ اللَّهِ أَتْقَاكُمْOne fears Allah according to his ability. For the scholar, *taqwa* of Allah is more emphasized in his case because he knows. And the layperson also fears Allah, leaves what is forbidden, and refers to the scholars regarding what is difficult for him so that he may avoid what is not permissible. And he fears Allah according to his ability and his effort. Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He) said:
So fear Allah as much as you are able
فَاتَّقُوا اللَّهَ مَا اسْتَطَعْتُمْ
Source
قناة «العلامة الدكتور صالح الفوزان»، 7508- معنى التقوى وكيفية تحقيقها من العالم وغيره - الشيخ صالح الفوزان — youtube.com
The Arabic text is a machine transcription of the audio recording.