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Tips
and Steps to Increase Taqwa (Piety)
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Taqwa
(piety) is derived from wiqayah, 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 Shari`ah and the
Divine laws of nature and life. Such a person seeks refuge in Allah
against His punishment, refrains from acts leading to Hell-Fire, and
performs acts leading to Paradise. Again, the believer purifies all
outer and inner senses so that none of them can associate partners
with Allah, and avoids imitating the worldviews and life-styles of
unbelievers. In its comprehensive meaning, Taqwa (piety) is
the only and greatest standard of one’s nobility and worth: The
noblest, most honorable of you in the sight of Allah is the most
advanced of you in Taqwa (piety) (Al-Hujurat: 13).
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
Paradise
. Its value is so high that, among other life-giving expressions the
Qur’an mentions it 150 times, each mention resembling a ray of
light penetrating our minds and spirits.
In its
limited sense, Taqwa (piety) means sensitivity to the
commandments of the
Shari
`ah and refraining from acts that deprive one of Divine
reward and result in Allah’s punishment. The verse: “ And
those who shun the worst of sins and indecencies and, when they are
wroth, forgive.” (As-Shura: 37) expresses one aspect of this
basic religious virtue; the verse: “Those who believe and do
good deeds” (Yunus: 9) points to the other. Strict observance
of obligatory religious duties and refraining from major sins are
the two necessary and complementary foundations of Taqwa
(piety). As for minor sins, termed by the Qur’an as Lamam (small
offenses), there are many Prophetic declarations, such as: “A
believer cannot be truly pious unless he refrains from certain
permissible things lest he should commit risky things, that warn
people to be careful.”
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
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