- Chapter on Taqwā
Taqwā (God-consciousness) is a noun derived from wiqāyah (protection). It means that a person adopts whatever will shield him from Allah’s punishment, and that protective shield is nothing other than carrying out Allah’s commands and staying away from what He has forbidden.
Be aware that taqwā is sometimes coupled with birr (righteousness). Thus He says, “Cooperate in righteousness and taqwā” (Qur’an 5:2). At other times taqwā is mentioned on its own. When the two terms appear together, birr denotes performing the commanded acts while taqwā denotes avoiding the prohibitions. When taqwā stands alone, it becomes all-inclusive, covering both obedience to commands and avoidance of prohibitions.
Allah, Exalted is He, states in His Book that Paradise has been prepared for the people of taqwā; they are the people of the Garden—may Allah make us among them. Accordingly, every person must fear Allah, out of obedience to His command, in hope of His reward, and in search of safety from His punishment.
The author, may Allah have mercy on him, then cited several verses:
“O you who have believed, fear Allah as He should be feared” (Qur’an 3:102).
“So fear Allah as much as you are able” (Qur’an 64:16)—a verse that clarifies the intent of the previous one.
“O you who have believed, fear Allah and speak words that are right and just” (Qur’an 33:70).
Verses enjoining taqwā are many and well known. Among them are His words:
“Whoever fears Allah, He will make for him a way out and will provide for him from where he never expected” (Qur’an 65:2-3).
“If you fear Allah, He will grant you a criterion, will efface your misdeeds, and will forgive you; Allah is the Possessor of tremendous bounty” (Qur’an 8:29).
Indeed, the passages on this subject are numerous and well established.