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Fruits of Taqwa
by Shaykh Muhammad ibn Sâlih al-'Uthaymîn
(d. 1421 AH / n/a CE)
Prologue
All praise belongs to Allâh, Lord of the Worlds. Peace and Blessings of Allâh be upon Muhammad , his family, his Companions and all those who follow him till the Last Day.
O believers !
Indeed the advice which Allâh has given to His servants from the time of آdam up until now, has been to have Taqwâ (fear) of Him, Glorified and Exalted be He.
The Mighty the Majestic says,
“And we have instructed those who were given the scripture before you and yourselves to have Taqwâ (fear) of Allâh. But if you disbelieve then to Allâh belongs whatever is in the Heavens and whatever is on the Earth. And ever is Allâh free of need and praiseworthy." [1]
It is also the advice of the Messenger of Allâh (sallAllâhu alaihe wa-sallam) to his nation:
Abî Umâmah Suddî ibn ‘Ujlân al-Bâhilî reports: I heard the Messenger of Allâh (sallAllâhu alaihe wa-sallam) giving a sermon in the farewell Hajj, saying, “Fear your Lord, pray your five prayers, fast the month of Ramadân, pay your Zakâh, and obey your leaders, in doing so, you will enter your Lord‘s Paradise.”[2]
Whenever the Messenger of Allâh (sallAllâhu alaihe wa-sallam) sent a leader of a raiding party on a military expedition, he would advise him, to have a deep rooted Taqwâ (fear) of Allâh and he would also advise the rest of his military party likewise.
The Pious Predecessors (salaf) did not stop giving mutual advice for having Taqwâ (fear) of Allâh in their sermons, their letters and their testaments after the Messenger of Allâh (sallAllâhu alaihe wa-sallam) passed away.
‘Umar ibn al-Khattâb wrote to his son ‘Abdullâh:
“To proceed: Verily I advise you to have Taqwâ (fear) of Allâh the Mighty and Majestic, for whoever fears Him, Allâh will protect him, and whoever gives a loan to Him, Allâh will reward him, and whoever thanks Him, Allâh will increase him.”
Alî gave advice to a man, and he said:
“I advise you to have Taqwâ (fear) of Allâh the Mighty, the Majestic. There is no escape in meeting Him and there is no other to meet you except Him when you reach the Hereafter, for verily Allâh owns this world and the Hereafter.”
One of the righteous, wrote to his believing brother:
“I advise you with Taqwâ (fear) of Allâh who knows your secrets and sees your open actions, so remember Allâh at every time of the night and day, and fear Allâh according to His nearness, and the power He has over you. And know that He always sees you. And do not leave His Rule for another rule, nor His Dominion, for another dominion, So glorify Him, by fearing Him immensely.”
The meaning of Taqwâ is that the servant puts between himself and that which he fears, a guard that will protect him. [3]
The meaning of Taqwâ regarding Allâh’s servants is “That the servant puts between him and that which he fears, i.e. gaining the anger and the wrath of his Lord, a guard which will protect him.” By obeying Him and abstaining from disobeying Him.
My noble brother, here are some sayings of our Pious Predecessors, in explaining the meaning of Taqwâ (fear) of Allâh:
Ibn Abbâs said: “The ones who fear Allâh, they are the ones who are wary of Allâh and His Punishments.”
The Tâbi’î (successor) Talq ibn Habî b said: “If an ordeal appears amongst you extinguish it with Taqwâ.” When asked what is Taqwâ, he replied, “Taqwâ (piety) is that you act in obedience to Allâh, and hope in His mercy, upon a light from Him; and Taqwâ is leaving acts of disobedience to Allâh out of fear of Him, upon a light from Him." [4]
Ibn Mas’ûd said:
“Speaking about the statement of Allâh: "O you who believe, have Taqwâ (fear) of Allâh, as you should have of Him and do not die except as Muslims.” [5] .. is that Allâh is meant to be obeyed, and not disobeyed; remembered at all times, and not forgotten; and to be thanked, and we are not to be ungrateful to Him.”
So strive O my noble brother, in fearing Allâh, the Mighty and Majestic, for He is entitled to be feared, revered and glorified in your heart.
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[1] Sûrah an-Nisâ' (4): 131. Al-Hâfidh Ibn Kathî r said that “Allâh instructed you just as He instructed others before you to fear Him and no one else.” Tafsî r Qur'ân al-‘Adhî m (1/504).
[2] Reported by Sunan at-Tirmidhi, Hadîth no.73
[3] Ibn Rajab - rahimahullâh - said: “The essence of Taqwâ is to make a shield (which guards) against Allâh’s anger and punishment. That shield is to obey His commandments and abstain from His prohibitions...” (Jâmi’ul-’Ulûm wal Hikâm: 190/191).
[4] Talq ibn Habî b was a famous Tâbi’î . He was known for his knowledge, piety and his recitation of the Qur’ân. Related by Ibn Abî Shaybah in Kitâbul-خ mân (No.99) and it was declared Sahî h by Shakyh al-Albânî .
[5] Sûrah al-Imran (3): 102
Benefits 1-10
Some obvious benefits, which are the results of fearing Allâh, in this world:
[1] Verily, fearing Allâh causes the general affairs of mankind, to become easy.
Allâh, the Most High, says,
And whosoever has Taqwâ (fear) of Allâh and keeps his duty to Him, He will make his matter easy for him. [1]
As for him, who gives (in charity) and keeps his duty to Allâh, and has Taqwâ (fear) of Him and believes in al-Husnâ (a reward from Allâh), we will make smooth for him, the path of ease. [2]
[2] Taqwâ protects mankind from the harm of shaytân.
Allâh, the Most High, says,
Verily those who have Taqwâ (fear) of Allâh, when an evil thought comes to them from shaytân, they remember (Allâh), and indeed they then see (aright). [3]
[3] Indeed Taqwâ, is also the cause for opening up the blessings from the heaven and the earth for them.
Allâh, the Most High, says,
And, if the people of the towns, had believed and had Taqwâ, certainly we would have opened (bestowed) for them blessings from the heaven and the earth. [4]
[4] Taqwâ, causes the servant of Allâh to be successful in distinguishing the truth from the falsehood, and to have knowledge of each one of them.
Allâh, the Most High, says,
O you who believe, if you have Taqwâ (fear) of Allâh, He will give you a Furqân (criterion to judge between right and wrong). [5]
Al-Hâfidh Ibn Kathîr (d.777H) - rahimahullâh - said: “Ibn Abbâs, as-Suddî , Ikramah, ad-Dahhak, Qatâdâh and Muqâtil Ibn Huyyân, all said about “Furqân” that it means that it is a way out (from difficulty). Mujâhid added: A way out (from difficulty) both in this world and in the Hereafter. In a narration from Ibn Abbâs he said it means, “Salvation"; and in another narration from him, ‘being helped’. Muhammad Ishâq said that it means: A criterion to judge between truth and falsehood. This explanation from Ibn Ishâq is the most general of what has preceded and it is a necessary consequence of it. Since whoever has Taqwâ of Allâh by obeying His commands and abandoning what He has prohibited, will be given the ability to recognise truth from falsehood. This will be the cause for his salvation, his being helped; and the cause for his worldly affairs being made easier and his happiness on the Day of Judgement. It will be the cause for his sins to be expiated by Allâh, and his being granted forgiveness and Allâh shielding him from the people. It will likewise be the cause of him being the recipient of a great reward from Allâh, as He the Most High says:
O you who believe! Have Taqwâ (fear) of Allâh and believe in His Messenger; and He will bestow upon you a double portion of His Mercy and He will provide you with a light by which you will walk. [sûrah al-Hadid (57): 28]”[6]
[5] If a believer is in difficulty, indeed having Taqwâ, enables him to come out of it, and to attain provisions and ease from Allâh, the likes of which he could never imagine.
Allâh, the Most High, says,
And whosoever fears Allâh and keeps his duty to Him (has Taqwâ), He will make a way for him, to get out (from every difficulty). And He will provide him (sources) he could never imagine. [7]
[6] Indeed Taqwâ is a means of attaining guardianship of Allâh’s Dî n. For verily, the guardians of Allâh’s Dî n are the ones who fear Him.
Allâh, the Most High says,
Its (true) guardians are not but the Muttaqûn.[8 ]
And Indeed the wrongdoers are friends and protectors of one another; but Allâh is the Friend and Protector of the Muttaqî n (righteous and God fearing) [9]
[7] Taqwâ causes a believer not to be frightened by any harm caused by the disbelievers or by their plots.
Allâh, the Most High, states,
And if you are patient and have Taqwâ (fear) of Allâh, their plot will not harm you at all. Indeed Allâh is encompassing of what they do. [10]
[8] It is also the reason, for which Allâh sends help from the heavens at the time of adversity, and meeting the enemies of Allâh.
Allâh, the Most High, says,
And already had Allâh given you victory at the Battle of Badr while you were a weak little force. Then have Taqwâ of Allâh, so that you may be grateful. Remember when you [Muhammad (sallAllâhu alaihi wa-sallam)] said to the believers, “Is it not sufficient for you that your Lord should reinforce you with three thousand angels sent down?” Yes, if you remain patient and have Taqwâ of Allâh and the enemy comes rushing at you in rage, your Lord will reinforce you with five thousand angels, having marks (of distinction).And Allâh made it not except as a glad tiding for you and to reassure your heart; And victory is not except from Allâh, the Exalted in Might, the wise. [11]
The descending of help becomes a glad tiding for the believer an assurance for the hearts and an attainment of help from the Most Powerful, the Most Wise.
Allâh made it not, but as a message of good news for you, and as an assurance to your hearts. And there is no victory except from Allâh, the All-Mighty, the All-Wise. [12]
[9] Taqwâ causes a lack of enmity or grievance between the servants of Allâh.
Allâh, the Most High, says,
Help you, one another in al-Birr and at-Taqwâ (virtue, righteousness and pied) but do not help one another in sin and transgression. [13]
Birr is the excellence, virtue and goodness present in something. This follows from the root and the derivation of this word in Arabic. Related to it is burr (wheat), which surpasses other grains in benefits and goodness. Also, a good man is described as barr (fulfilling his promise). Allâh described the angels as Bararah (pious and just) and the dwellers of Paradise as abrâr (righteous). Birr, then comprises of all kinds of good and perfection expected in a human being. Opposite to it is "ithm" (sinning). The Prophet (sallAllâhu alaihi wa-sallam) said:
“Birr is good manners, and "ithm" is those (evil) thoughts that weave about in your chest and you fear that other people may know about them." [Reported by Muslim].
Taqwâ, on the other hand, is the means and way leading to Birr. The root of the word in Arabic means “protection”. One practicing it protects himself from the fire. Thus the relationship of Birr and Taqwâ is similar to that of health (which is a purpose) and care for the body (which is a means).
Allâh has stated in the story of Mary,
Then we sent to her our angel (Gabriel), and he appeared before her in the form of a man in all respects. She said, 'Indeed - I seek refuge with the Most Merciful (Allâh) from you, (so leave me), if you do fear Allâh.” [14]
[10] Indeed Taqwâ, causes a believer to honour the symbols of Allâh (the sacred places).
Allâh, the Most High, says,
And whosoever honours the symbols of Allâh, then it is truly from the Taqwâ of the heart. [15]
[1] Sûrah at-Talaq (65): 4
[2] Sûrah al-Lail (92): 5-7
[3] Sûrah al-A'raf (7): 201
[4] Sûrah al-A'raf (7): 96
[5] Sûrah al-Anfal (8): 29
[6] Tafsî r Qur'ân al-‘Adhî m (2/301-302) of Ibn Kathî r
[7] Sûrah at-Talaq (65): 2-3
[8] Sûrah al-Anfâl (8):34. Muttaqûn literally: “those who have Taqwâ” i.e. who have piety, righteousness, fear and love of Allâh, and who take great care to avoid His displeasure.
[9] Sûrah al-Jathiyah (45): 19
[10] Sûrah al-Imran (3): 120
[11] Sûrah al-Imran (3): 123-126
[12] Sûrah al-Imran (3): 126
[13] Sûrah al-Mâidah (5): 2
[14] Sûrah Maryam (19): 17-18
[15] Sûrah al-Hajj (22): 32
Benefits 11-19
[11] It is also a means by which a believer does good actions, and a cause for them to be accepted by Allâh. Likewise it is a forgiveness of sins.
Allâh, the Most High, says,
O you who believe! Have Taqwâ (fear) of Allâh and always speak the truth. He will direct you to do righteous and correct actions and will forgive you your sins and whosoever obeys Allâh and His Messenger has indeed attained a great achievement. [1]
[12] Indeed Taqwâ causes a believer to lower his voice in front of the Messenger of Allâh (sallAllâhu alaihi wa-sallam) whether that was during his life time or after his death.
Allâh, the Most High, says,
Indeed those who lower their voices in the presence of Allâh’s Messenger they are the ones whose hearts, Allâh has tested for Taqwâ (piety), for them is forgiveness and a great reward. [2]
[13] Indeed Taqwâ causes a believer to attain Allâh’s Love, and this love which Allâh bestows upon the believers is for this life and the Hereafter.
The Messenger of Allâh (sallAllâhu alaihi wa-sallam) said that Allâh said:
“There is no better way in which my servant comes close towards Me, except by the things I have made obligatory for him. And my servants who do the optional actions, keep on coming towards Me, until I Love him, and if I Love him, I become his hearing by which he hears, and his sight by which he sees, and his hand, by which he grasps with, and his feet by which he walks with, and if he asks Me, indeed I will grant him, and if he seeks protection in me, I will indeed protect him.." [3]
Allâh, the Most High, says,
Yes, whosoever fulfils his pledge and has Taqwâ (fear) of Allâh much, then indeed, Allâh loves those who are muttaqûn (righteous and God fearing).[ 4]
[14] Taqwâ causes a believer to attain knowledge, and it is the key to knowledge.
Allâh, the Most High, says,
So have Taqwâ of Allâh, and Allâh teaches you, and Allâh is the All-Knower of each and everything. [5]
[15] Taqwâ causes a believer to become strong. A person who has Taqwâ will be protected from deviation, and straying from the Right Path, after Allâh has bestowed the guidance upon him.
Allâh, the Most High, says,
And verily, this is My Straight Path, so follow it, and follow not other paths, for they will separate you away from His Path. This He has instructed for you, that you may become al-muttaqûn. [6]
[16] Indeed Taqwâ causes a believer to attain Allâh’s Mercy and this Mercy is for this life and the Hereafter.
Allâh, the Most High, says,
And My Mercy embraces all things, that (mercy) I shall ordain for those who are the muttaqûn, and give zakât; and those who believe in our Signs. [7 ]
[17] Taqwâ causes the believer to attain Allâh’s company, and this is of two types:
1. The first is general for all of His servants, where Allâh accompanies them by His Hearing, Seeing and Knowledge for verily, Allâh, the Most High, is the All-Hearer, Seer, and Knower of all His servants condition.
Allâh, the Most High, says,
And He is with you wherever you may be. [8]
Have you not seen that Allâh knows whatsoever is in the heavens and the Earth! There is no secret counsel of three, but He is their fourth (with his knowledge, while He Himself is over the throne, above the seventh heaven) nor of five, but He is their sixth not of less then that or more, but He is with them wherever they may be. [9]
2. As for the second type, it is a specific type of accompanying which includes Allâh’s help, support and aid. As Allâh, the Most High stated,
Be not sad (or afraid), surely Allâh is with us. [10]
He (Allâh) said
Fear not Verily I am with you both (Mûsâ and Hârûn), Hearing and Seeing. [11]
There is no doubt that this specific type of accompanying is for those who fear Allâh.
Surely! Allâh is with those, who have Taqwâ (fear) of Him, and those who are the doers of good. [12]
And know that indeed Allâh is with those who fear him [13]
[18] Indeed they will have a good outcome on the Day of Judgement due to their Taqwâ of Allâh.
Allâh, the Most High, says,
And the good end (Paradise) is for the muttaqûn. [14]
And verily, for the muttaqûn is a good final return. [15]
So be patient. Surely the good end is for the muttaqûn [16]
[19] Indeed it causes the believer to have glad tidings in this life, either by it being a righteous dream or by the love and praise, which the people have for him.
Allâh, the Most High, says,
Those who believed and used to fear Allâh, for them are glad tidings, in this life of the present world, and in the Hereafter. [17]
Imâm Ahmad reported, from Abû Dardâ that the Prophet (sallAllâhu alaihi wa-sallam) said with regards to Allâh's statement, For them are Glad tidings
"That it is the true good dream (that conveys glad tidings) which the Muslim will see, or he will be seen in it by someone else. [18]
Abû 'Umar al-Ghafâre radhi Allâhu anhu reported that he asked the Messenger of Allâh (sallAllâhu alaihi wa-sallam) :
"O Messenger of Allâh ! What about the man who does deeds which the people praise and commend him for?" The Prophet (sallAllâhu alaihi wa-sallam) replied: "That is the good news in this life for the believer." [19]
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[1] Sûrah al-Ahzab (33): 70-71
[2] Sûrah al-Hujarat (49): 3
[3] Sahî h al-Bukhari (english trans.) vol.8, Hadîth no. 509.
[4] Sûrah al-Imran (3): 76
[5] Sûrah al-Baqarah (2): 282
[6] Sûrah al-An'âm (6): 153
[7] Sûrah al-A'raf (7): 156
[8] Sûrah al-Hadid (57): 4
[9] Sûrah al-Mujadalah (58): 7
[10] Sûrah at-Taubah (9): 40
[11] Sûrah Ta-Ha (20): 46
[12] Sûrah an-Nahl (16): 128
[13] Sûrah at-Taubah (9): 36
[14] Sûrah Ta-Ha (20): 132
[15] Sûrah Sad (38): 49
[16] Sûrah Hud (11): 49
[17] Sûrah Yunus (10): 63-64
[18] Musnad Imâm Ahmed and Sunan at-Tirmidhi.
[19] Sahî h Muslim (english trans.) Hadîth no.6388
Benefits 20 - 24
[20] Taqwâ prevents a women from speaking softly, thus stopping a man who has a sickness in his heart (i.e. an evil desire for adultery).
Allâh, the Most High, says,
O Wives of the Prophet! You are not like any other women. If you keep your duty (to Allâh), than be not soft in speech, lest he, in whose heart is a disease, should be moved with desire, but speak in an honourable manner. [20]
[21] Indeed, it prevents injustice in matters of wealth (e.g. a will, testament etc.)
Allâh, the Most High, says,
It is prescribed for you, when death approaches any of you, if he leaves wealth, that he make a bequest to parents and next of kin, according to reasonable manners, this is a duty upon the muttaqûn (the pious) [21]
[22] It causes the believer to give the divorced woman her prescribed compensation.
Allâh, the Most High, says,
And for the divorced women, maintenance (should be provided) on a reasonable (scale), this is a duty on the muttaqûn (the Pious) [22]
[23] Indeed it causes a believer not to lose good rewards, which he has gained, for this life or the Hereafter.
Allâh, the Most High, says - after He had bestowed His blessings upon Yûsuf, 'alayhis-salâm, by uniting him with his family:
Verily, he who fears, Allâh with obedience to Him, and is patient, then surely, Allâh makes not the rewards of the good-doers to be lost [23]
[24] Indeed it causes a believer to gain guidance.
Allâh, the Most High, says,
Alif Lâm Mî m. This is the Book about which there is no doubt, a guidance to those who are the muttaqûn. Who believe in the unseen, establish prayer, and spend out of what we have provided for them. [24]
Those are upon (right) guidance from their Lord, and it is those who are successful. [25]
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