Skip to main content

Taqwa - Its literal & legal (Islamic) Meaning

Literal Meaning:

Ferozabadi (رح) says: “The verb in its radical, three-letter form means to protect and preserve.”

Sheikh Muhammad Tantawi (رح) says: “The word Muttaqoon is the plural of Muttaqi. Muttaqi is the gerund from the verb Ittaqa (he acquired protection). Ittaqa is from the root verb Waqa, which means he protected himself from that which harms him.”

Ali (رض) says: “Taqwa is to fear the Almighty; to act upon the Revelation; to be content with little, and to prepare for the Day of Travel.” (A combination of all four qualities.)

Abu Darda (رض) says: “The complete form of taqwa is to fear Allah so much that one begins to fear Him from (the potential sin in) a mustard seed and until one leaves what might be halal in the fear that it could be haram. This is substantiated by the verse: ‘So whoever does an atom’s amount of good, he will see it; and whoever does an atom’s amount of evil, he will see it.’ So do not undermine any goodness and act upon goodness. Likewise, do not underestimate any evil and protect yourself from it.”

Ibn Abbas (رض) says: “The ones with taqwa are those believers who prevent themselves from shirk—associating partners with Allah.” He also said: “They are the ones who fear Allah’s punishment for failing to follow what they know to be guidance and hope for His Mercy with regard to that which they believe came from Him.”

Muadh Ibn Jabal (رض) says: “On the Day of Judgement, it will be announced: ‘Where are the ones who had taqwa?’ So they (the ones with taqwa) will stand up from under the Shelter of the Compassionate. Allah will not be invisible to them.” People asked Muadh who are the ones with taqwa. He replied: “Those who stay away from shirk and worshipping idols and then purify their Deen for Allah.”

Ibn Masood (رض) commented about the verse: “Fear Allah as He is supposed to be feared” that it means to obey Him and not to disobey Him, to remember Him and not to forget Him, and to thank Him and not to be ungrateful.”

Abu Hurairah (رض) was asked about taqwa so he asked the questioner whether he had trodden a thorn-infested path. The man said he had. Abu Hurairah asked him how he walked on it. The man said: “When I saw a thorn, I took evasive action, lest I was pricked by it.” Abu Hurairah (رض) answered him by saying: “That is exactly what taqwa means (to take evasive action on seeing sin).”

Ibn Mu’taz (the poet) rephrases this: “Leave sins big and small; that is taqwa. Be like the one walking on thorns, dreading what he sees. Don’t underestimate the minute (small), for mountains are made of small stones.”

Hasan Basri (رح) says: “The ones who have taqwa protect themselves from what Allah has prohibited and act upon what He has mandated. Taqwa remains with them until they forsake many halal things fearing that they could be haram.”

Sufyan Thauri (رح) says: “They have been called ‘the fearing’ because they fear what is not usually feared.”

Talq ibn Habib (رح) says: “Taqwa is to obey Allah with the (divine) insight (noor) that He will reward and to refrain from disobedience with the insight and fear that He will punish.”

Omar ibn Abdul-Aziz (رح) says: “Taqwa is not fasting by day and standing for prayers at night. Rather, it is to refrain from what Allah has prohibited and act upon what He has mandated. Whoever is granted anything beyond (this level of obedience), he has been given goodness upon goodness.”

Ibn Rajab (رح) says: “The essence of taqwa is to make a shield (which guards) against Allah’s anger and punishment. That shield is to obey His commands and abstain from His prohibitions. Perfect taqwa requires that one performs all voluntary and recommended acts as well as refraining from all reprehensible and dubious acts. This is the ultimate form of taqwa.”

Sahal ibn Abdullah says: “There is no assistant except Allah and there is no guide except the Messenger of Allah. There is no provision except taqwa, and there is no act except to be firm using taqwa. Whoever desires to reform his taqwa should abstain from all sins.”

Nasrabadhi says: “Whoever holds firm to taqwa will inevitably look forward to leaving the world. As Allah says: ‘And certainly the abode of the Hereafter is much better for those who have taqwa. Do you not understand?’”

Abu Sulaiman Darani says: “Taqwa comprises all goodness. It is Allah’s order for predecessors and for posterity. It is the best way for a person to derive benefit, in the same way that Abu Darda (رض) replied when people asked him why he did not engage in poetry (while his companions did): ‘Man wishes that he is given his desire; whereas Allah bars everything except that which He intends. Man says: “My benefit and my wealth”; whereas the fear (taqwa) of Allah is the best form of benefit.’”

So be informed, my brother! Are you among those who have taqwa, or are you with those who are transgressors and oblivious? Do you fear Allah as these predecessors feared Him, or do you fall short of that?

Complete Glossary of Difficult Words and Honorifics

Honorifics and Titles

  1. Almighty

    • Translation: All-powerful.
    • Meaning: Refers to Allah as having complete power and authority.

  2. Glory be to Him

    • Translation: High praise.
    • Meaning: Respectfully recognizing Allah’s greatness.

  3. Praise be to Allah

    • Translation: All thanks are to Allah.
    • Meaning: A phrase expressing gratitude and admiration for Allah.

  4. Peace be upon him

    • Translation: Prayer for peace.
    • Meaning: A respectful phrase used after mentioning a prophet's name, particularly Prophet Muhammad.

  5. Revelation

    • Translation: Divine message.
    • Meaning: Messages given by Allah to prophets, often found in holy texts.

Additional English Words

  1. Radical

    • Translation: Basic or fundamental.
    • Meaning: The root or most essential form.

  2. Preserve

    • Translation: Keep safe.
    • Meaning: To maintain something in its original state.

  3. Gerund

    • Translation: Verb form acting as a noun.
    • Meaning: An action word used as a noun, e.g., “running.”

  4. Content

    • Translation: Satisfied or happy.
    • Meaning: To be at peace with what one has.

  5. Substantiated

    • Translation: Supported by evidence.
    • Meaning: Proven or confirmed to be true.

  6. Undermine

    • Translation: Weaken.
    • Meaning: To reduce the strength or value of something.

  7. Underestimate

    • Translation: Think less of.
    • Meaning: Not giving the proper importance or value.

  8. Associating

    • Translation: Linking or connecting.
    • Meaning: Believing in others alongside Allah, a serious error in Islam.

  9. Guidance

    • Translation: Direction or advice.
    • Meaning: Allah’s direction on the right way to live.

  10. Hope

    • Translation: Expectation or wish.
    • Meaning: To trust in Allah’s kindness and mercy.

  11. Mercy

    • Translation: Kindness or forgiveness.
    • Meaning: Allah’s compassion and forgiveness.

  12. Regard

    • Translation: Respect or consideration.
    • Meaning: The way something is valued or thought of.

  13. Obey

    • Translation: Follow orders or rules.
    • Meaning: To do as Allah commands.

  14. Disobey

    • Translation: Not follow orders.
    • Meaning: Not doing what is commanded.

  15. Ungrateful

    • Translation: Not thankful.
    • Meaning: Not appreciating Allah’s blessings.

  16. Trodden

    • Translation: Walked upon.
    • Meaning: A path often traveled or followed.

  17. Thorn-infested

    • Translation: Full of thorns.
    • Meaning: A path with many sharp objects that cause harm.

  18. Evasive

    • Translation: Avoiding or dodging.
    • Meaning: Taking care to avoid harm or sin.

  19. Lest

    • Translation: In case.
    • Meaning: To prevent something bad from happening.

  20. Pricked

    • Translation: Stung or poked.
    • Meaning: Hurt by something sharp, like a thorn.

  21. Sin

    • Translation: Wrongdoing.
    • Meaning: Actions that go against Allah’s commands.

  22. Dreading

    • Translation: Greatly fearing.
    • Meaning: Strongly worrying about something bad.

  23. Prohibited

    • Translation: Not allowed.
    • Meaning: Forbidden actions in Islam.

  24. Mandated

    • Translation: Required or commanded.
    • Meaning: Actions that must be done in Islam.

  25. Forsake

    • Translation: Give up or leave.
    • Meaning: To abandon or let go of something.

  26. Divine

    • Translation: Holy or from Allah.
    • Meaning: Related to Allah’s wisdom or guidance.

  27. Insight

    • Translation: Understanding or wisdom.
    • Meaning: Deep knowledge from Allah.

  28. Refrain

    • Translation: Hold back or avoid.
    • Meaning: To stop oneself from doing something.

  29. Fasting

    • Translation: Not eating or drinking.
    • Meaning: An act of worship in Islam, particularly in Ramadan.

  30. Rather

    • Translation: Instead.
    • Meaning: Showing preference for one thing over another.

  31. Granted

    • Translation: Given or allowed.
    • Meaning: A blessing or gift.

  32. Beyond

    • Translation: More than or outside of.
    • Meaning: Further in addition to something.

  33. Essence

    • Translation: Core or main part.
    • Meaning: The true purpose or meaning of something.

  34. Shield

    • Translation: Protection.
    • Meaning: Something that guards against harm.

  35. Abstain

    • Translation: Keep away from.
    • Meaning: Avoiding something as self-discipline.

  36. Voluntary

    • Translation: Chosen, not required.
    • Meaning: Extra acts encouraged but not mandatory.

  37. Recommended

    • Translation: Suggested or advised.
    • Meaning: Actions that are good to do but not obligatory.

  38. Reprehensible

    • Translation: Bad or shameful.
    • Meaning: Actions to be avoided or discouraged.

  39. Dubious

    • Translation: Uncertain or questionable.
    • Meaning: Doubtful in terms of permissibility.

  40. Ultimate

    • Translation: Final or greatest.
    • Meaning: The highest or most complete form.

  41. Assistant

    • Translation: Helper or support.
    • Meaning: Someone who helps with tasks or guidance.

  42. Provision

    • Translation: Supplies or resources.
    • Meaning: Necessary resources for support or survival.

  43. Firm

    • Translation: Strong or steady.
    • Meaning: To be unwavering in faith or determination.

  44. Desire

    • Translation: Strong wish.
    • Meaning: Wanting something very much.

  45. Reform

    • Translation: Improve or correct.
    • Meaning: Making oneself better or fixing mistakes.

  46. Inevitably

    • Translation: Certainly going to happen.
    • Meaning: Something that will happen no matter what.

  47. Certainly

    • Translation: Surely or without a doubt.
    • Meaning: An affirmation of truth.

  48. Abode

    • Translation: Home or place of living.
    • Meaning: The final home in the Hereafter.

  49. Hereafter

    • Translation: Life after death.
    • Meaning: The eternal life where one is rewarded or punished.

  50. Comprises

    • Translation: Includes or consists of.
    • Meaning: Made up of various parts.

  51. Predecessors

    • Translation: Those who came before.
    • Meaning: Earlier people or ancestors.

  52. Posterity

    • Translation: Future generations.
    • Meaning: Those who come after us.

  53. Derive

    • Translation: To get or obtain.
    • Meaning: To gain something like benefit or knowledge.

  54. Engage

    • Translation: Take part in.
    • Meaning: Actively participating in something.

  55. Bars

    • Translation: Prevents or stops.
    • Meaning: Blocking or forbidding actions.

  56. Intends

    • Translation: Plans to do.
    • Meaning: Purpose or goal behind an action.

  57. Wealth

    • Translation: Riches or money.
    • Meaning: Material possessions or financial resources.

  58. Transgressors

    • Translation: Wrongdoers.
    • Meaning: Those who act against Allah’s guidance.

  59. Oblivious

    • Translation: Unaware or ignorant.
    • Meaning: Not paying attention to important things like faith.
No Comments
Back to top