Defining Taqwa, and explaining the interpretation of Taqwa when it is paired with faith and righteousness, and when it is not.

And His saying: is a noun of the active participle, and the verb from it is *ittaqā*, and the meaning of *ittaqā* is to take protection from the punishment of Allah. This does not occur except by performing the commands and avoiding the prohibitions. Accordingly, the most comprehensive definition of Taqwa is taking protection from the punishment of Allah by performing His commands and avoiding His prohibitions. Thus, it is performing the commands and avoiding the prohibitions. Know that Taqwa is sometimes paired with righteousness, as in His saying: and sometimes it is paired with faith, as in this verse: and sometimes it is mentioned alone. If it is mentioned alone, it encompasses the entire religion, because the entire religion is protection from the punishment of Allah. If it is paired with righteousness, then righteousness becomes performing the commands and Taqwa becomes avoiding the prohibitions. Thus, it is interpreted in every context according to its specific context.