Definition
Taqwa is often translated to mean God consciousness. It also
means piety or fear of God.
The Holy Qur’an describes a person who is conscious of God
as one who sincerely practices Islam both out-wardly and inwardly. It is he who
sincerely practices the pillars of Islam in addition to moral uprightness.
Taqwa should obviously improve the attitude and behavior of
the person who possesses it. He is firm, generous and kind to family and
relatives and to all beings.
He is patient and relies on God for support.
The following Qur’anic passage attests to our observation:
‘Righteousness does not consist in turning your faces
towards the east or the west but righteousness is he who believes in Allah, and
the Last Day, and the Angels, and the Book, and the Prophet; and spends his
substance upon his near relations and the orphans who ask, and to set slaves
free, and is constant in prayers and pays Zakat, and (righteous are) they who
keep their promise whenever they make one. In addition, who are patient in
poverty and ailment and at the time of hardship and danger? Such are the people
of the truth and they are conscious of Allah.’
Lessons of the Qur’anic verses
- That performance of Slat alone does not mean that one is good or righteous.
- In addition, one has to fear Allah (Taqwa) and engage in other aspects of goodness.
- One needs to be kind and generous.
- One should be patients in whatever circumstances he finds himself.
- Q2:183 prescribed fasting for every Muslim in order that they may attain Taqwa. The following verse states the actions and behavior of a Muslim who has Taqwa.