Author: Umm Ayesha
Piety and Its Profound Effects (Part Two)
Introduction:
Piety (Taqwa) is a moral virtue through which every human being in Islam can strengthen their relationship with both their Lord and fellow human beings. The word Taqwa appears in the verses of the Noble Qur’an as a means of moral and social development. In reality, Taqwa means that a person quarantines their soul and places it in a protective enclosure, ensuring they do not become deserving of divine punishment.
In this part of our study, we aim to explore Taqwa more deeply from the perspective of the Qur’an and the Prophetic traditions (Hadiths).
Taqwa from the Quranic Perspective
The Almighty Allah frequently emphasizes the importance and lofty status of Taqwa in His words and encourages the followers of Islam to embrace it.
Allah the Almighty has made Taqwa a condition for His guardianship and friendship, as He says: «إِنَّ أَوْلِيَاءَهُ إِلَّا الْمُتَّقُونَ» Translation: “None are His friends except the righteous.” [1]
This verse indicates that Allah grants the honor of spiritual guardianship only to those who adopt Taqwa. Those who claim to love Allah but simultaneously disobey Him are false in their claim, for a true lover does not disobey the One they love.
Allah also establishes Taqwa as the standard of superiority among people, stating: «إِنَّ أَكْرَمَكُمْ عِندَ اللَّهِ أَتْقَاكُمْ» Translation: “Indeed, the most honorable among you in the sight of Allah is the most pious of you.” [2]
Thus, all artificial and superficial privileges are nullified, and all fabricated values and standards collapse. Only one criterion is elevated—Taqwa—by which human beings are weighed in the scales of divine justice. The banner of Taqwa is raised high, and all are called to stand beneath it. [3]
Allah the Almighty also says about the righteous: «فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ يُحِبُّ الْمُتَّقِينَ» Translation: “Indeed, Allah loves the righteous.” [4]
Taqwa is a provision for the body and soul. It nourishes the heart and spirit with strength and energy. The wise person is one who turns toward Taqwa, walks the path of piety, and remains steadfast on it throughout life.
Allah says: «وَتَزَوَّدُوا فَإِنَّ خَيْرَ الزَّادِ التَّقْوَىٰ وَاتَّقُونِ يَا أُولِي الْأَلْبَابِ» Translation: “And take provisions, but indeed, the best provision is piety. so, fear Me, O you of understanding.” [5]
As Allah refers to Taqwa as a provision in this verse, He elsewhere refers to it as clothing: «وَلِبَاسُ التَّقْوَىٰ ذَٰلِكَ خَيْرٌ» Translation: “And the clothing of piety—that is best.” [6] Taqwa is a garment that beautifies a person and purifies their soul, keeping the heart alive and enduring.
What a meaningful and eloquent comparison! Just as physical clothing protects the body from heat, cold, and many dangers, covers bodily flaws, and adorns one’s appearance, Taqwa protects the soul from the ugliness of sins and social harms. It serves as a spiritual adornment, covering the inner flaws of the heart, just as garments cover the body’s private parts and beautify the external form.
Moreover, Allah considers Taqwa a condition for the acceptance of deeds: «إِنَّمَا يَتَقَبَّلُ اللَّهُ مِنَ الْمُتَّقِينَ» Translation: “Indeed, Allah only accepts [good deeds] from the righteous.” [7]
In another verse, Allah regards Taqwa as a sign of faith: «اتَّقُوا اللَّهَ إِن كُنتُم مُّؤْمِنِينَ» Translation: “Fear Allah, if you are believers.” [8] (This means obey your Lord’s commands and do not disobey them, for your success and salvation in both this world and the Hereafter depend on this obedience and piety.)
Elsewhere, Taqwa is mentioned as a source of understanding and receptiveness to the Qur’an: «هَٰذَا بَيَانٌ لِّلنَّاسِ وَهُدًى وَمَوْعِظَةٌ لِّلْمُتَّقِينَ» Translation: “This [Qur’an] is a clear statement to [all] people and a guidance and instruction for the righteous.” [9]
The Qur’an in several places presents itself as guidance specifically for the righteous, as they are the ones who derive the greatest benefit from its message and strive to implement its teachings in their lives. This is the secret behind the success of the pious.
Taqwa in the Light of Prophetic Sunnah
The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said: «لَا يَبْلُغُ الْعَبْدُ أَنْ يَكُونَ مِنَ الْمُتَّقِينَ حَتَّى يَدَعَ مَا لَا بَأْسَ بِهِ حَذَرًا لِمَا بِهِ بَأْسٌ» Translation: “A servant does not attain the rank of the righteous until he abandons what is harmless for fear of what is harmful.” [10]
The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) also said: «إِنَّ اللَّهَ يُحِبُّ الْعَبْدَ التَّقِيَّ الْغَنِيَّ الْخَفِيَّ» Translation: “Indeed, Allah loves the pious, self-sufficient, and discreet servant.” (Narrated by Sa’d, MABH) [11]
Abu Dharr al-Ghaffari reported that the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said: «انْظُرْ، فَإِنَّكَ لَسْتَ بِخَيْرٍ مِنْ أَحْمَرَ وَلَا أَسْوَدَ، إِلَّا أَنْ تَفْضُلَهُ بِتَقْوَى» Translation: “Look! You are not better than a red or black person unless you excel them in piety.” [12]
This hadith indicates that wealth, appearance, color, lineage, nationality, or language are not criteria for superiority. In the sight of Allah, only Taqwa is the true standard. Thus, the more one excels in Taqwa, the closer they become to Allah.
The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said: «اتَّقِ اللَّهَ حَيْثُمَا كُنتَ» Translation: “Fear Allah wherever you may be.” (Narrated by Mu’adh) [13]
When the Prophet (PBUH) sent Mu’adh ibn Jabal to Yemen, he said to him: «إِنَّ أَوْلَى النَّاسِ بِي الْمُتَّقُونَ مَنْ كَانُوا وَحَيْثُ كَانُوا» Translation: “The closest people to me are the righteous, wherever they may be.” [14]
In this touching farewell, the Prophet (PBUH) reminded Mu’adh that what matters is a spiritual and inner connection. The basis of this bond is Taqwa. So, even if someone is geographically distant, if they possess Taqwa, they are close to the Prophet; while someone physically near but lacking Taqwa is actually distant from him.
Abu Dharr (MABH) reported that the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said: «أوصیک بتقوی الله فإنها رأس الأمر کلها» Translation: “I advise you to fear Allah, for it is the foundation of all matters.” [15]
From the verses of the Qur’an and the Prophetic traditions mentioned above, it becomes evident that Taqwa plays a vital role in the life of a Muslim. A Muslim must always strive to clothe themselves in Taqwa and seek superiority and closeness to Allah the Almighty through it.
Continues…
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References:
[1] Al-Anfal, Verse: 34.
[2] Al-Hujurat, Verse: 13.
[3] Rakhshani, Mohammad Reza, Moral Development, p. 29, Publisher: Hosseini Asl Publishing Institute, First Edition, 2015.
[4] Aal-e-Imran, Verse: 76.
[5] Al-Baqarah, Verse: 197.
[6] Al-A’raf, Verse: 26.
[7] Al-Ma’idah, Verse: 27.
[8] Al-Ma’idah, Verse: 112.
[9] Aal-e-Imran, Verse: 138.
[10] Tirmidhi, Muhammad ibn Isa, Sunan al-Tirmidhi, Vol. 4, p. 634, Hadith No. 2451, Beirut – Dar Ihya al-Turath al-Arabi.
[11] Naysaburi, Muslim ibn al-Hajjaj, Sahih Muslim, Book of Zuhd and Softening of the Hearts, Vol. 4, p. 2277, Hadith No. 11 (2965), Beirut – Dar Ihya al-Turath al-Arabi.
[12] Shaybani, Ahmad ibn Hanbal, Musnad al-Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal, Chapter: The Narration of the Shaykhs from Ubayy ibn Ka’b (MABH), Vol. 5, p. 158, Hadith No. 21445, Cairo – Mu’assasat Qurtuba.
[13] Tirmidhi, Muhammad ibn Isa, Sunan al-Tirmidhi, Chapter on Social Relations with People, Vol. 3, p. 423, Hadith No. 1987, Beirut – Dar Ihya al-Turath al-Arabi.
[14] Shaybani, Ahmad ibn Hanbal, Musnad al-Imam Ahmad, Chapter: The Hadith of Mu’adh ibn Jabal (MABH), Vol. 5, p. 235, Hadith No. 22105, Cairo – Mu’assasat Qurtuba.
[15] Al-Tabarani, Al-Mu’jam al-Kabir, Chapter 1, Vol. 2, p. 214, Hadith No. 1628.
