The essence of Islam

Taqwa( piety)  is culled from the word wiqayah, which implies: “erecting a barrier to ward-off harm from oneself.” In its religious sense, taqwa is to shield oneself against sinfulness, disobedience and divine anger, by doing works of faith and acts of obedience.

Taqwa is the essence of Allah’s religion and the essence of taqwa lies in obeying Allah wholeheartedly, whilst being keenly aware of His abiding presence and watchful gaze.Molding one’s life in the light of this awareness of Allah’s presence; that is, striving to become muttaqi (one who embodies taqwa), is of huge merit or virtue.

Allah says:  In the Qur’an, we read: Allah is the protector of the pious. [Q.45:19] Allah loves those who are conscious of Him. [Q.9:4] Whoever fears Allah, He shall appoint a way out for him, and will provide for him from whence he never expected. [Q.65:2-3] Then We shall save those who guarded against evil. [Q.19:72] For the Allah-fearing are gardens of delight with their Lord. [Q.68:34]

Ibn Juzay al-Maliki a great classical scholar, wrote, "The degrees of taqwa are five:

1. being cautious of falling into disbelief. This is the station of submission to God.

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

3. being cautious of doubtful things. This is the station of carefulness.

4. 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 the fail to make use of their extra time."

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

Once 'Umar asked a companion: "describe for me taqwa." The companion responded: "If you were to walk through a thorny pathway with a flowing robe, how would you walk?" 'Umar answered, "I would gather my garments, squeezing them tight, and walk carefully." The companion responded, "That is taqwa."

The Qur’an speaks of Allah as dhu’l-ma‘arij: Lord of the ascending ways. [Q.70:3] Believers are expected to be climbers, so to speak, in their upward journey to Allah. The true believer acknowledges it is not by his or her own effort that they ascend, but effort – nonetheless – must be put in. A believer seeks to live life under the awareness that one must climb or ascend: those who turn their backs on the ascent do no more than doom themselves to misery and wretchedness, according to Allah’s estimation. The Quran speaks frequently of this “awareness” by employing the notion of taqwa.