What is Taqwa?

[مجرد روح مهجورة]

السلام عليكم و رحمة الله و بركاته الاخوان و الاخوات

Well who is it who will receive guidance?


Allah ﷻ says in the Quran that only those with taqwa (muttaqeen) will get guidance from the Quran.


Taqwa is usually understood as piety or righteousness. When we understand the word in a deeper context, taqwa simply means to take protection. It is a shield that protects you from the anger/disapproval/punishment of Allah ﷻ


Taqwa is:

To indulge in things that please Allah ﷻ , and

To abstain from that which Allah ﷻ disapproves or dislikes

Seems easy doesn’t it?! Unfortunately, we tend to falter many times over on this aspect. Quite often, we forget that there is more to this life than just the temporary little pleasures.


Therefore, we tend to forget praying our salah on time because there was something more exciting on the TV. We tend to delay our prayers even after the adhaan was called because texting our friends, indulging in vain talk or just lazing around seemed more exciting than pulling the prayer mat out. We find it easy to disrespect our parents and talk to them in a rude manner knowing full well that Allah ﷻ dislikes it.


These are just a handful of examples we do on a daily basis. So what happens when we are constantly engaging in something that Allah does not approve of? We lose the shield of taqwa. And once that happens:

We become of those who are not guided, and

We are easily prone to attacks from Shaitan.

Let’s take an example:


Imagine yourself holding a shield that is protecting you and your family from a raging fire right outside your house. Now imagine slowly letting your guard fall off, and the shield drops down bit by bit in front of you, exposing you to the ferocious fire that is right in front of you. Wouldn’t you do everything within your capacity to save yourself and your loved ones from that fire?


This is exactly how taqwa works. When you are in a constant state of taqwa, you are consistently protecting yourself from Allah’s anger, punishment, hellfire and Shaytaan. The moment you stop keeping yourself and your heart in check, you lose this shield, making you vulnerable in dunya and akhirah.



(To be continued إن شاء الله)

[مجرد روح مهجورة]

السلام عليكم و رحمة الله و بركاته

Ibn Juzay al-Maliki wrote, “The degrees of taqwa are five:

Being cautious of falling into disbelief. This is the station of submission to Allah.

Being cautious of falling into sin and evil. This is the station of repentance.

Being cautious of doubtful things. This is the station of carefulness.

Being cautious of the permissible. This is the station of indifference. Ibn al-Qayyim said, 'There are some people who will observe the obligations and avoid the prohibited. However, Shaytan will busy them with the permissible acts until they fail to make use of their extra time.'

Being cautious of letting anything enter the heart save Allah. This is the station of witness."

[مجرد روح مهجورة]

"The quickest way to attain taqwa"


Before you do or say something, ask yourself, will Allah be pleased with me for this, or is this something that He disapproves.
When you talk, ask yourself is this beneficial for me in this world and the hereafter or would I be indulging in backbiting, gossiping or just wasting my time in useless speech, when I could indulge in dhikr and repentance?


When you buy something, ask yourself is it for a halal or haram purpose?


When you feel like losing your temper on your loved ones or parents, ask yourself is this really worth it? Is it worth me losing my protection from hellfire? Is this anger more important than Allah’s likes and dislikes?


When you are tempted to waste time, ask yourself how heavy this would weigh on the Day of Judgment or in your grave when you would be counting (and regretting) every good deed you missed packing into your bag. Keep your thoughts, deeds and actions in check, and you have a greater chance of being of those with taqwa.