Piety & God Consciousness (Taqwa)

Bismillah,

The word Taqwa is sort of difficult to translate into English as it is usually translated as “fear.” However the word Taqwa in Arabic refers to fear of Allah due to being aware and conscious of His presence. So I will use the word Taqwa and I will inform you now that it means both piety and fear due to God-consciousness.

Allah says in the Quran, ”O you who believe! Have Taqwa of Allah as He deserves it.” (3:102) He also says, ”So have Taqwa of Allah as much as you can…” (64:16) He also mentions, ”And whosoever has Taqwa of Allah, He will make a way for him to get out (from every difficulty). And He will provide him (sources) he never could imagine…” (65:2, 3)

The prophet, sallallahu alayhi wa sallam, was asked, ”O Messenger of Allah! Who is the most honorable amongst mankind?” He, sallallahu alayhi wa sallam, said, ”The most honorable of them is one who is the most pious and God-fearing of them. (i.e. Has the most Taqwa)” (Bukhari and Muslim)

It is narrated that the prophet, sallallahu alayhi wa sallam, used to say:

اَللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْأَلُكَ الْهُدَى وَالتُّقَى وَالْعَفَافَ وَالْغِنَاءَ

”Allaahumma innee as-alukal hudaa wat-tuqaa wal-‘afaafa wal-ghinaa” (O Allah I ask You for guidance, Taqwa, chastity and self sufficiency). (Muslim)

Original source