Ramadan And Taqwa
Fasting or sawm is the fourth pillar of Islam. It is obligatory in the month of Ramadan (the ninth month of the Islamic calendar). Muslims are expected to fast the whole month for 28 or 29 days. The aim of this month for Muslims are meant to self reflect on their actions, show their love, to establish equality and devotion to Allah which results in spiritual as well as physical purification. Fasting is the purpose of learning taqwa. Month Ramadan comes and goes but we are not able to learn the piety because there are some mistakes inside us, there are some shortcomings which we do not continue to taqwa. Allah said in Qur'an,
"O you who have believed, decreed upon you is fasting as it was decreed upon those before you that you may become righteous (i.e. get Taqwa)."
[Surah Al-Baqarah 2: 183]
This month is like a practising month to learn taqwa. Some people continue their good deeds after Ramadan but some are getting back to their old life. To learn the importance of Ramadan we have to learn about the taqwa.
What is Taqwa (Piety) in Islam?
“Taqwa” is an Arabic word for being conscious of Allah, being aware of Him, leaving sins due to His Fear and turning towards obedience to Him due to Hope from Him. In easy words you can say fear of Allah for self-righteousness, getting close to him spiritually.Taqwa is a shield or protective barrier which strengthens a Muslim's belief and makes him a better Muslim. Taqwa is physical as well as a spiritual activity that renewed focus on spirituality and provides a special meaning in the eyes of Allah.
Example 1: The physical act of going between the Safa and Marwa during Hajj and Umrah. This is a physical activity we are doing that becomes valuable in the eyes of Allah.
Example 2: It is neither their meat nor their blood that reaches Allah, but it is Taqwa from you that reaches Him. Allah does not look at your appearance or your colours, but He looks at your hearts and deeds. Allah has mentioned in Qur'an,
"Their meat will not reach Allah, nor will their blood, but what reaches Him is piety from you. Thus have We subjected them to you that you may glorify Allah for that [to] which He has guided you, and give good tidings to the doers of good."[Surah Hajj 22:37]
O mankind, worship your Lord (creator and sustainer), who created you and those before you, do so that you are saved."
[Surah Baqarah 2:21]
“O you who believe! Fasting is prescribed to you as it was prescribed to those before you that you may (learn) self-restraint.”
[Surah Baqarah 2:183]
People Before this ummah were also prescribed to keep fasting. Fasting is good for health but it does not mean making delicious dishes and eating more than how much u can eat on normal days, sleeping a full day, playing games, spend your precious time on social media except doing ibadah. Fasting is for spending your time in remembrance of Allah.
What does The Holy Quran say about Taqwa?
Taqwa is the ultimate result of all types of worship (Ibadah). Without Taqwa all worships and deeds are useless.O mankind, worship your Lord (creator and sustainer), who created you and those before you, do so that you are saved."
[Surah Baqarah 2:21]
“O you who believe! Fasting is prescribed to you as it was prescribed to those before you that you may (learn) self-restraint.”
[Surah Baqarah 2:183]
People Before this ummah were also prescribed to keep fasting. Fasting is good for health but it does not mean making delicious dishes and eating more than how much u can eat on normal days, sleeping a full day, playing games, spend your precious time on social media except doing ibadah. Fasting is for spending your time in remembrance of Allah.
Importance Of Taqwa
Allah is the most merciful for all his making and he is alone the creator of this world. To become a true believer we have to obey Allah by following Taqwa. Taqwa is like a shield and barrier to protect a Muslim. Taqwa is the most important thing in Islam, without taqwa a Muslim is nothing.There was a famous hadith of Jibrail when he came as a stranger to ask Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) about Belief, Islam and Ihsan.
One day while Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) was sitting with the people, a man came to him walking and said, "O Allah's Messenger (ﷺ).
What is Belief?"
The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "Belief is to believe in Allah, His Angels, His Books, His Apostles, and the meeting with Him, and to believe in the Resurrection."
The man asked, "O Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) What is Islam?"
The Prophet (ﷺ) replied, "Islam is to worship Allah and not worship anything besides Him, to offer prayers perfectly, to pay the (compulsory) charity i.e. Zakat and to fast the month of Ramadan."
The man again asked, "O Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) What is Ihsan (i.e. perfection or Benevolence)?"
The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "Ihsan is to worship Allah as if you see Him, and if you do not achieve this state of devotion, then (take it for granted that) Allah sees you."
The man further asked, "O Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) When will the Hour be established?"
The Prophet (ﷺ) replied, "The one who is asked about it does not know more than the questioner does, but I will describe to you its portents. When the lady slave gives birth to her mistress, that will be of its portents; when the bare-footed naked people become the chiefs of the people, that will be of its portents. The Hour is one of five things that nobody knows except Allah. Verily, the knowledge of the Hour is with Allah (alone). He sends down the rain, and knows that which is in the wombs." (31.34) Then the man left.
The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "Call him back to me." They went to call him back but could not see him. The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "That was Gabriel who came to teach the people their religion."
[Sahih Bukhari- 4777, Narrated Abu Huraira]
Ihsan is to worship Allah as if you see Him, and if you do not achieve this state of devotion, then (take it for granted that) Allah sees you. There are several ways to know the importance of taqwa:
1. Taqwa, the soul of fasting:
Fasting is a spiritual condition. A person believing firmly in the omnipotence and omnipresence of Allah distinguishes between virtue and vice. He keeps trying to do good deeds, and protect himself from the evil and displeasure of Allah. This is the only Taqwa that purifies our soul and makes us a better Muslim.
2. Taqwa, God-fearing mindfulness:
2. Taqwa, God-fearing mindfulness:
The fear of Allah that keeps the heart of the believer awake, protects them from wrongdoing, leads them to good deeds, makes him unable to distinguish right from wrong, saves from sin, guards against evil or prevents things that harm our soul and body.
A man said to Abu Huraira, may Allah be pleased with him "What is God-fearing mindfulness?"
Abu Huraira said, “Have you ever taken a thorny path?”
The man said, yes.
Abu Huraira said, “What did you do?”
The man said, “If I saw thorns, I would avoid them, pass over them, or stop short of them.”
Abu Huraira said, “That is God-fearing mindfulness.”
[Al-Zuhdal-Kabīr-963, Narrator Abu Salih]
A man said to Abu Huraira, may Allah be pleased with him "What is God-fearing mindfulness?"
Abu Huraira said, “Have you ever taken a thorny path?”
The man said, yes.
Abu Huraira said, “What did you do?”
The man said, “If I saw thorns, I would avoid them, pass over them, or stop short of them.”
Abu Huraira said, “That is God-fearing mindfulness.”
[Al-Zuhdal-Kabīr-963, Narrator Abu Salih]
3. Taqwa, Brings honour to believers:
Taqwa is the means of getting honour and respect for men and women, in Islamic society. Taqwa force people to do things mentioned in Quran and Hadith which is good for society. Allah mentioned in Qur'an,
“Indeed, the most honoured of you in the sight of Allah are those who have the most Taqwa”
[Surah Al-Hujraat 49: 13]
4. Taqwa, the way to getting close to Allah:
“Indeed, the most honoured of you in the sight of Allah are those who have the most Taqwa”
[Surah Al-Hujraat 49: 13]
4. Taqwa, the way to getting close to Allah:
Taqwa is the quality of a Wali-Allah (Friend of Allah) and is the way to getting close to Allah. Qur'an says,
“Unquestionably, [for] the allies of Allah there will be no fear concerning them, nor will they grieve. Those who believed and had Taqwa.”
[Surah Yunus10: 62-63]
5. Taqwa, The reward of Jannah:
“Unquestionably, [for] the allies of Allah there will be no fear concerning them, nor will they grieve. Those who believed and had Taqwa.”
[Surah Yunus10: 62-63]
5. Taqwa, The reward of Jannah:
The reward of Takwa is Jannah. If your deeds are good definitely Allah will reward you Jannah. Allah said in Qur'an,
“And hasten to forgiveness from your Lord and a garden as wide as the heavens and earth, prepared for those who have Taqwa.”
[Surah Ale Imran 3:133]
6. Taqwa, increase sustenance:
“And hasten to forgiveness from your Lord and a garden as wide as the heavens and earth, prepared for those who have Taqwa.”
[Surah Ale Imran 3:133]
6. Taqwa, increase sustenance:
Taqwa is the cause of an increase in Rizq (sustenance) and a cause of bringing good. The person who has Taqwa is not getting worried for Rizq, he knows only Allah provides food to everyone even an insect underneath the stone in the sea. Qur'an says,
“And whoever fears Allah (i.e. has Taqwa)–He (Allah) will make for him a way out. And will provide for him from where he does not expect.”
[ Surah At-Talaaq65:2-3]
7. Taqwa, Force to keep making Dua:
“And whoever fears Allah (i.e. has Taqwa)–He (Allah) will make for him a way out. And will provide for him from where he does not expect.”
[ Surah At-Talaaq65:2-3]
7. Taqwa, Force to keep making Dua:
The people who do not have taqwa do not make dua by heart because they believe Allah does not listen to them But a believer has a strong faith so he keeps asking Allah because he knows each and everything has been given by Allah. Allah gives a person the ability to differentiate between right and wrong. Allah said in the Qur'an,
“O you who have believed, if you fear Allah (i.e. have Taqwa), He will grant you a criterion and will remove from you your misdeeds and forgive you.”
[Surah Al-Anfaal 8: 29]
1. Keep Striving to do good deeds:
“O you who have believed, if you fear Allah (i.e. have Taqwa), He will grant you a criterion and will remove from you your misdeeds and forgive you.”
[Surah Al-Anfaal 8: 29]
How to get Taqwa?
Taqwa is a slow process that takes time. It increases together with faith in the heart of a believer. We should remember Allah, learn more about him, repeat and share with others what did know, decrease our sins and work to increase our good deeds until we become convinced that Allah is aware of everything we do and each word we say. There are several ways to gain taqwa:1. Keep Striving to do good deeds:
Taqwa grows in the heart because of good deeds. Whoever has taqwa Allah makes everything easy on him whatever how much difficult is. There are many hadith and surah revealed on the Prophet (ﷺ) which tell about the importance of taqwa. Allah said in Qur’an,
“…and man shall have nothing but what he has striven for."
[Surah An-Najm53:39]
“And He guides to Himself whoever turns to Him.”
[Surah Ar-Ra'd 13:27]
The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) said,
“Piety is here”, and (while saying so) he pointed towards his chest thrice.
[Sahih Muslim- 2564 A]
Whoever abstains from asking others, Allah will make him contented, and whoever tries to make himself self-sufficient, Allah will make him self-sufficient. And whoever remains patient, Allah will make him patient.
[Sahih Bukhari-1469]
2. Make sincere intention to improve your taqwa:
All actions are done by people with an intention he makes before. We should think about the hereafter, Jannah and hellfire. Fear of Allah makes a big change in our minds, it brings us closer to Allah.
“…Among you are some who desire this world, and among you are some who desire the Hereafter…” [Qur’an 3: 152]
The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) said,
"Verily actions are by intentions, and for every person is what he intended. So the one whose ‘hijrah’ (migration) was to Allah and His Messenger, then his ‘hijrah’ was to Allah and His Messenger. And the one whose ‘hijrah’ was for the world to gain from it, or a woman to marry her, then his ‘hijrah’ was for what he made ‘hijrah’ for." [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]
“…Among you are some who desire this world, and among you are some who desire the Hereafter…” [Qur’an 3: 152]
The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) said,
"Verily actions are by intentions, and for every person is what he intended. So the one whose ‘hijrah’ (migration) was to Allah and His Messenger, then his ‘hijrah’ was to Allah and His Messenger. And the one whose ‘hijrah’ was for the world to gain from it, or a woman to marry her, then his ‘hijrah’ was for what he made ‘hijrah’ for." [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]
3. Ask Allah to increase your taqwa:
We should keep asking Allah for taqwa. Allah loves those who have taqwa that is who do righteous deeds. Taqwa is the source to gain the love and blessings of Allah.
The Prophet ﷺ taught the Dua,
(i) "اللَّهُمَّ آتِ نَفْسِي تَقْوَاهَا وَزَكِّهَا أَنْتَ خَيْرُ مَنْ زَكَّاهَا أَنْتَ وَلِيُّهَا وَمَوْلاَهَا"
"O Allah, grant to my soul the sense of righteousness and purify it, for you are the Best Purifier thereof. You are the Protecting Friend thereof, and Guardian thereof."
[Sahih Muslim-2722, Zaid b. Alqam reported:]
(i) "اللَّهُمَّ آتِ نَفْسِي تَقْوَاهَا وَزَكِّهَا أَنْتَ خَيْرُ مَنْ زَكَّاهَا أَنْتَ وَلِيُّهَا وَمَوْلاَهَا"
"O Allah, grant to my soul the sense of righteousness and purify it, for you are the Best Purifier thereof. You are the Protecting Friend thereof, and Guardian thereof."
[Sahih Muslim-2722, Zaid b. Alqam reported:]
(ii) " اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْأَلُكَ الْهُدَى وَالتُّقَى وَالْعَفَافَ وَالْغِنَى "
“Allahum Inni asalukal huda wa ttuqa wal ‘afaaf wal ghinaa.“
"O, Allah. I beg of you the right guidance, Taqwa, chastity and freedom from want."
[Sahih Muslim-2721A, Abdullah reported]
4. Remember Allah and learn more about Islam:
Taqwa increases by acquiring knowledge of the religion. Allah has mentioned in Qur’an,
“…Of all of Allah's servants, only those knowledgeable of His might are truly in awe of Him."
[Surah Al Faatir-35:28]
5. Fast often:
“…Of all of Allah's servants, only those knowledgeable of His might are truly in awe of Him."
[Surah Al Faatir-35:28]
5. Fast often:
Every day in Ramadan people is freed from fire (hell). fast kills our evil desires and brings us near Allah.
The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) said,
“Surely for the sake of Allah, at the time of breaking the fast people are freed (from the fire of Hell) and this happens every day.”
[Sunan Ibn Mājah-1712, authentic]
During Ramadan, People are Temporarily walking toward Jannah with the intention of going back to the path to Jahannam after Ramadan.
6. Sincere advice (Naseehah) leads to Taqwa:
The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) said,
“Surely for the sake of Allah, at the time of breaking the fast people are freed (from the fire of Hell) and this happens every day.”
[Sunan Ibn Mājah-1712, authentic]
During Ramadan, People are Temporarily walking toward Jannah with the intention of going back to the path to Jahannam after Ramadan.
6. Sincere advice (Naseehah) leads to Taqwa:
Taqwa is like a chain through which Muslims relate to one another in society and also a medium to link their actions. Sincere advice (Naseehah) leads to Taqwa. Allah said in Qur’an,
“..And remind, for indeed the reminder benefits the believers"
[Surah Adh-Dhariyat 51:55]
7. Good company increases Taqwa:
“..And remind, for indeed the reminder benefits the believers"
[Surah Adh-Dhariyat 51:55]
7. Good company increases Taqwa:
It is very important for us as Muslims to keep good company because good company increases taqwa.
The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) said,
“A man is upon the religion of his best friend, so let one of you look at whom he befriends.”
[Sunan al-Tirmidhī- 2378, authentic, Abu Huraira reported]
The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) said,
“A man is upon the religion of his best friend, so let one of you look at whom he befriends.”
[Sunan al-Tirmidhī- 2378, authentic, Abu Huraira reported]
We must remember that being friends with someone who has taqwa is better than being friends with someone who makes us forget Allah. People who speak about Allah and regularly mention matters of Islam in our conversations with them help us to remember Allah and our religious things. Mentioned in the Qur’an,
“Verily, in the remembrance of Allah do hearts find rest.”
[Surah Raad 13:28]
The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) said,
"The parable of a good friend and a bad friend is like that of a person selling perfume and the bellows of a blacksmith. You will not get away from the perfume seller without you either buying from him or you gain his fragrance, and the bellows of the blacksmith will either burn your body or your clothes or you will acquire a bad smell from it."
[Sahih Bukhari- 2101, Narrated Abu Musa]
8. Never consider yourself higher or better than anyone else:
8. Never consider yourself higher or better than anyone else:
Allah does not like the person who has arrogance. We should think we are a tiny creator of Allah, Everything is made by him, and nothing is faultless.
“Allah Almighty says that might is his garment and grandeur is his cloak: Whoever competes with me, I will punish him.”
[Sahih Muslim 2620, Abu Sa’id al-Khudri reported]
"“Whoever has the weight of a mustard seed of arrogance in his heart, Allah will throw him down on his face in Hellfire.”
[Musnad Aḥmad- 7015, authentic, Abdullah ibn Amr reported]
9. Remember death:
Those who have Taqwa acquire a place in the Hereafter by understanding the reality of this world. Allah mentioned in Qur’an,
“The life of this world is nothing but a sport and a pastime, and the life of the Hereafter is far better for those who seek to ward off their ruin. Will you not, then, understand?
[Surah Al An’aam 6:32]
10. Be alert to whatever may divert you from Allah:
“The life of this world is nothing but a sport and a pastime, and the life of the Hereafter is far better for those who seek to ward off their ruin. Will you not, then, understand?
[Surah Al An’aam 6:32]
10. Be alert to whatever may divert you from Allah:
The devil put every effort to divert you from the righteous path, Qur’an says,
“And as for those who were in awe of standing before their Lord and restrained themselves from evil desires, Paradise will certainly be their home.”
[Surah An Nazia’t 79:40-41]
“O Allah, I seek refuge in You from the accursed Satan, his madness, his pride, and his poetry.”
[Sunan Ibn Mājah- 808, Ibn Mas’ud reported]
“And as for those who were in awe of standing before their Lord and restrained themselves from evil desires, Paradise will certainly be their home.”
[Surah An Nazia’t 79:40-41]
“O Allah, I seek refuge in You from the accursed Satan, his madness, his pride, and his poetry.”
[Sunan Ibn Mājah- 808, Ibn Mas’ud reported]
Satan wants to make people mad, arrogant, and sinful and brings near the crime. We should focus on our ibadah, keep learning patience, do good deeds and be kind to others.
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