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concort
365 Posts |
 Posted - 07 Sep 2009 : 04:38:16
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Abu Dhar Jundub bin Junadah and Abu Abdul Rahman Mu’adh bin Jabal, radiyallahu anhuma, reported that the Messenger of Allah, sallallahu 'alayhi wasallam, said:
“Fear Allah wherever you may be; follow up an evil deed with a good one which will wipe (the former) out, and behave good-naturedly towards people.”
[Al-Tirmidhi relates it, saying: It is a good (hasan) Tradition. In some copies he says: It is a good and genuine (hasan and sahih) Hadith.]
Background:
Taqwa is one of the most important and comprehensive Islamic concepts. The term is derived from its root "waqayya" which means “to protect.” Taqwa therefore means to protect one own self from the severe punishment of Allah by following His guidance.
Some translate Taqwa as “to fear Allah”. However, fearing Allah is only one aspect of this comprehensive concept. Ali ibn Abi Talib, radiyallahu anhu, defines it as: “Fearing Allah, adhering to His commandments, being content with what He provides one with, and getting ready for the Day of Judgement.”
Mohammad Asad translates it as “to be conscious of Allah.” It might be better according to some Muslim linguist to use the transliteration of this Qur’anic term and keep it as it is.
The term has been mentioned many times both in Qur’an and Sunnah. Allah the Almighty says:
"O believers! Have Taqwa of Allah as is His right to have Taqwa. And die not except while you are Muslims"
[Surah Al-Imran (3): ayat 102]
By realization of Taqwa a Muslim is granted many bounties and blessings which he/she may gain. Among them are: the Love of Allah, a criterion by which to judge and distinguish between right and wrong, a way out of difficulties, matters will be made easier for him/her, sins will be remitted, guidance, help to acquire beneficial knowledge, prosperity and success.
Lessons:
According to Ibn Rajab's view as well as other scholars, Taqwa is to fulfill obligations and avoid prohibitions and doubtful matters. It is the advice of Allah to all humankind, and it is the advice of all prophets, alayhim al-salam, to their people. Prophet Mohammad, sallallahu 'alayhi wasallam, used to advise and continuously remind his Companions about Taqwa in all his talks and on different occasions.
Those who define Taqwa as “fearing Allah” look at the concept as a motive, because according to early scholars the minimum level of fearing Allah is what motivates a Muslim to fulfill obligations and keeps him/her away from prohibitions.
Taqwa does not imply perfection. Those who have Taqwa are subject to commit sins. However, if they do so, they repent right away and follow up the bad deed they have done with a good deed to wipe the bad one out as mentioned in this hadith. This clarifies the debatable issue between some scholars: whether or not avoiding minor sins is considered an aspect of Taqwa.
Allah the Almighty and all Merciful has left the door of forgiveness opened to many means by which the punishment for a sin might be removed. To do good deeds right after bad ones to wipe them out is one mean. This is mentioned in Surah Hud, ayat 114: "Verily, the good deeds remove the evil deeds."
There are other ways and means by which sins are forgiven as stated in the Qur’an and Sunnah such as:
Istighfar (seeking forgiveness by supplication)
Tubah (repentance)
Du'a’ of Muslims for one another
The intercession by the Prophet, sallallahu 'alayhi wasallam
The intercession of pious Muslims
Performing the daily five prayers regularly and on time
Afflictions
The torment in the grave
The horrible scenes and events of the Last Day
The mere Mercy and Forgiveness from Allah
If we do a good deed, Allah will reward us by guiding us to do another good deed. Hence, doing a good deed will lead to doing another good deed. Doing a bad deed without regretting it or without istighfar or wiping it out by doing a good deed will most likely lead to doing another bad deed, whether of the same type or of a different type. By doing a bad deed with that attitude makes the person subject to repeat it again and again and doing other bad deeds becomes possible until the heart of that person is “sealed” and the person turns into a transgressor.
It is an obligation that every Muslim should treat others, deal with them, and interact with them in a good manner. Ibn Rajab says in his commentary: “Having good character is a characteristic of Taqwa. Taqwa cannot be complete without it. It was mentioned here by itself due to the need for explicitly explaining that point. Many people think that Taqwa implies fulfilling the rights of Allah without fulfilling the rights of humans. Therefore, the Prophet, sallallahu 'alayhi wasallam, explicitly stated that he/she must deal with people in a kind manner.” This ruling is stressed in many other hadiths, of which the following are some:
“Piety and Righteousness is being of good character.” [Recorded by Imam Muslim]
“The believer with the most complete Iman (faith) is the one with the best behavior.” [Recorded by Imam Ahmad and Abu Dawud]
“There is nothing heavier in the scales than good character.” [Recorded by Imam Ahmad and Abu Dawud]
The Prophet, sallallahu 'alayhi wasallam, made Iman (faith) and good character as the main basic criterion whether or not to accept a man for marriage.
Conclusion:
To fear Allah the Almighty, to adhere to His commandments, to follow doing a bad deed with a good deed to wipe it out, and to deal with others in a good manner and good character are all aspects of the concept of Taqwa.
Source: 877-Why-Islam
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As Salamu Alaikum Waramatullah Wabarakatu |
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Dalton1
3485 Posts |
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concort
365 Posts |
Posted - 08 Sep 2009 : 04:58:40
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Brother Dalton1, I enjoyed reading the article about taqwa on your site; and I couldn't agree more with the author.
The messenger of Allah said in a Hadith, reported in the Sahih Muslim that, “Taqwa is here”, and he pointed to his chest.
Taqwa is profoundly explained in a discussion between 'Umar and Ka'b who were companions of the prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him.
'Umar asked Ka'b the meaning of 'taqwa,' as Ka'b was renowned for his deep understanding of the Qur'an Al Kareem.
Kaab (R) then inquired from Umar (R), whether he had walked through a thorny bush path with his cloak. Umar (R) replied that he had done so on numerous occasions. Kaab (R) asked Umar (R) to describe his movements through this thorny path. Umar (R) replied that he moved very cautiously, so as not to tear his clothing. Kaab (R) said that was the description and the meaning of Taqwa.
The path that inculcates and embraces a character of Taqwa is one that must be carefully and cautiously treaded. On this path one must be completely aware of oneself and one’s surroundings, to be disciplined with the correct action and behavior which will achieve one’s closeness to Allah.
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As Salamu Alaikum Waramatullah Wabarakatu |
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Dalton1
3485 Posts |
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concort
365 Posts |
Posted - 26 Oct 2009 : 05:43:54
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The benefits of fearing Allah
(Min Thamaratit at-Taqwa)
By: Sh. Muhammad Salih Al-‘Uthaymin
All praise belongs to Allah, Lord of the Worlds. Peace and Blessings of Allah be upon Muhammad (SAWS), his family, his Companions and those who follow him till the Last day.
The meaning of the word ’taqwa’ regarding the servant of Allah is ‘that the servant puts between himself and that which he fears, i.e. gaining the anger and wrath of his Lord, a guard that will protect him!
O believing brothers!
Indeed the advice which Allah has given to His servants from the time of Adam up until now, has been to have Taqwa (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 taqwa (fear) of Allah. But if you disbelieve then to Allah belongs whatever is in the Heavens and whatever is on the Earth. And even is Allah free of need and praiseworthy.”(Surah an-Nisa (4):131)
(Al-hafiz Ibn Kathir said: “Allah instructed you just as He instructed others before you to fear Him and no one else.”)
It’s also the advice of the Messenger of Allah (SAWS) to his nation:
Abu Umamah Suddi Ibn ’Ujlan al-Bahili (RA) reports: I heard the Messenger of Allah (SAWS) giving a sermon in the farewell Hajj, saying: “Fear of your Lord, pray your five prayers, fast the month Of Ramadhan, pay our zakah, and obey your leaders, in doing so, you will enter your Lord’s Paradise”(Reported by at-Tirmidhi).
Whenever the Messenger of Allah (SAWS) sent a leader of a raiding party on a military expedition, he would advice him, to have a deep rooted taqwa (fear) of Allah and he would also advice the rest of his military party likewise.
The Pious Predecessors (Salafs) did not stop giving mutual advice for having taqwa (fear) of Allah in their sermons, their corresponding letters and their testaments after the Messenger of Allah (SAWS) passed away.
‘Umar Ibn al-Khattab (RA) wrote to his son ’Abd Allah Ibn ’Umar, To proceed:
“Verily I advise you to have taqwa (fear) of Allah the Mighty and Majestic, for whoever fears Him, Allah will protect him, and whoever gives a loan to Him, Allah will reward him, and whoever thanks Him, Allah will increase him.”
Some sayings of the Salafs, in explaining the meaning of taqwa (fear) of Allah.
‘Abd Allah Ibn Abbas (RA):”The ones who fears Allah, they are the ones who are wary of Allah and His Punishments.”
The tabi’I Talq Ibn Habib (RA): “If an ordeal appears amongst you extinguish it with taqwa”
When asked what taqwa is, he replied:
“Taqwa is that you act in obedience to Allah, and hope in His mercy, upon a light from Him; and taqwa is leaving acts of disobedience to Allah out of fear of Him, upon a light from Him”
(Related by Ibn Abi Shaybah in ‘Kitab ul-iman’ & it was declared Sahih by Sh. Al-Albani (rahimullah)).
Benefits of fearing Allah in this world (just to name a few):
1. Verily the fear of Allah causes the general affairs of mankind, to become easy.
2. Taqwa protects mankind from the harm of shaytan.
3. Taqwa is the cause from opening up the blessings from the heaven and the earth for them.
4.Taqwa causes the servant of Allah to be successful in distinguishing the truth from the falsehood, and to have knowledge of each one of them.
5. If a believer is in difficulty, indeed having taqwa, enables him to come out of it, and to attain provisions and ease from Allah, the likes of which he could never imagine.
6. Indeed taqwa is a means of attaining guardianship, of Allah’s deen. For verily, the guardians of Allah’s deen are the ones who fear him.
7. Taqwa causes a believer not to be frightended by any harm caused by the disbelievers or by their plots.
8. Taqwa causes a lack of enmity or grievance between the servants of Allah.
9. Indeed taqwa causes a believer to attain Allah’s Love, and this love which Allah bestows upon the believer is for this life and the hereafter.10. Taqwa causes a believer to attain knowledge, and it is the key to knowledge.
Benefits of fearing Allah in the hereafter:
1. Indeed it causes a believer to become noble in the sight of Allah.
2. It causes a believer to become successful.
3. It causes a believer to be saved from the Punishment of Allah, on The Day of Judgment.
4. It causes the believers good deeds to be accepted.
5. It causes a believer to inherit Jannah.
6. Indeed it causes the believers to have a high status above the disbelievers on the Day of Judgment, and those they will dwell in the highest part of Jannah.
7.It causes remission of bad actions and forgiveness for the mistakes a believer might commit.
8. Indeed, it causes the believer not to fear nor grieve, and neither shall any evil touch them on the Day of Judgment.
9. Every type of companionship or friendship, which was for other than Allah will be transformed on the Day of Judgment into enmity, except for the companionship of those who had taqwa.
10.Indeed they will have a seat of truth, near the All-Able, the One Who has Absolute Power, King, Allah, the Most High.
So strive O my noble brothers and sisters, in fearing, Allah, the Mighty and Majestic, for He, glory be to Him, is entitled to be feared and revered and Glorified in your hearts.
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As Salamu Alaikum Waramatullah Wabarakatu |
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concort
365 Posts |
Posted - 27 Oct 2009 : 16:59:34
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Taqwa is one of the most profound concepts in Islam. Taqwa is an avenue by which Muslims relate to one another in society and a means to channel their actions. Because of the great importance of taqwa, it has been referred to numerous times in the Qur'an and Sunnah in order to emphasize its relevance and significance to the Muslims.
Allah (swt) strongly emphasizes the rewards of people with taqwa in this life and the Hereafter. It is these muttaqeen that Allah (swt) grants assistance, victory and provides for. Thus, understanding the concept of taqwa is vital and mandatory for every Muslim.
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As Salamu Alaikum Waramatullah Wabarakatu |
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toubab1020
12312 Posts |
Posted - 27 Oct 2009 : 17:30:26
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That if I may say so is an excellent summing up,a concept that should be applied to all peoples and religions,if it were then peace and tranquality would prevail on the earth .
quote:
Originally posted by concort
Taqwa is one of the most profound concepts in Islam. Taqwa is an avenue by which Muslims relate to one another in society and a means to channel their actions. Because of the great importance of taqwa, it has been referred to numerous times in the Qur'an and Sunnah in order to emphasize its relevance and significance to the Muslims.
Allah (swt) strongly emphasizes the rewards of people with taqwa in this life and the Hereafter. It is these muttaqeen that Allah (swt) grants assistance, victory and provides for. Thus, understanding the concept of taqwa is vital and mandatory for every Muslim.
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"Simple is good" & I strongly dislike politics. You cannot defend the indefensible.
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