By Ghulam Ghaus Siddiqi
All Praise Be To Allah, the Lord of All the Worlds!
Allah Almighty says, “This is the Book [Quran] in which there is no doubt, in it there is guidance for the Muttaqin” (Surah Baqarah 2:2)
Though the guidance of holy Quran is meant for everyone, believer or non-believer, as mentioned in another verse of the Quran “guidance for the people”, only the people of Taqwa benefit from the Quran. It is therefore Allah Almighty said “guidance for the Muttaqin”. For example, it is said “rain is for vegetation, i.e. the rain benefits vegetation, while it also rains on the barren land”. Those that are Muttaqin get benefit from the Quran while its guidance is meant for all mankind.
Muttaqin comes from Taqwa, the root word of which is w-q-y. Taqwa has several meanings; guarding nafs against evil, fearing Allah and being conscious of Allah etc. The word Muttaqin is plural of Muttaqee which denotes one who fears or one who abstains. Hence Muttaqin are those that fear Allah and refrain from all erroneous beliefs and impious deeds.
In terminology of Islamic Shar’a, Taqwa means guarding against sins by refraining from forbidden acts. Hazrat Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) said, Muttaqi denotes one who refrains from Shirk, major sins [Kabair] and impious deeds [Fawahish]. Some say, Muttaqi is one who does not consider himself superior to others. Some say, Taqwa means abstaining from forbidden acts and performing obligatory acts [Faraid]. According to some Islamic scholars, Taqwa signifies refraining from insistence upon evil deeds and pride over obedience. Some say, one should not do what Allah Almighty has forbidden. According to some scholars, one of the characteristics of Taqwa is to obey the beloved Prophet (peace be upon him) and his companions (may Allah be pleased with them). All these meanings have mutual appropriation and there is no contradiction in terms of their objectives.
Taqwa has several characteristics. Taqwa of the commons [Awam] is to believe and abstain from disbelieving. Taqwa of Khawas [exclusives] is to obey what is commanded and refrain from evil. And Taqwa of Khawas al-Khawas [exclusive of the exclusives] is to give up doing everything which keeps them away or make them forget Allah Almighty.
Some learned jurists and experts of the Quran say, Taqwa is of seven types; 1) refraining from Kufr [denial or rejection of Islamic Truth], 2) abstaining from corrupt beliefs and being on the path of Sunnah 3) being away from every major sin [Kabira] 4) keeping away from minor sins [Saghira] 5) refraining from doubts 6) desisting from lust and 7) refraining from turning towards anyone other than Allah Almighty. The holy Quran guides the Muttaqin to all these seven kinds of Taqwa. [Tafsir al-Khazin (Arabic)/ Khazain al-Irfan on Kanzul Iman (Urdu) /HashiyatMuhiyuddin Sheikh Zada v. 1 (Arabic)]
The following are some verses of the Quran in which the word Taqwa and its derivatives can be seen.
“So is one who established his foundation upon the fear [Taqwa] of Allah and upon His pleasure better, or the one who laid his foundation upon the brink of a falling precipice, so it fell along with him into the fire of hell? And Allah does not guide the unjust.” [9:109]
“So it is; and whoever reveres the symbols of Allah – this is then part of the piety [Taqwa] of the hearts.” [22:32]
“O mankind! Worship your Lord, Who has created you and those before you, in the hope of attaining piety [Tattaqun].” [2:21]
“And if you are unable to bring forth (one chapter) – and We declare that you can never bring one – then fear [Fattaqu] the fire (of hell), the fuel of which is men and stones; kept ready for the disbelievers.” [2:24]
“And believe in what I have sent down confirming that which is [already] with you, and be not the first to disbelieve in it. And do not exchange My signs for a small price, and fear [only] Me [Fattaqun]” [2:41]
“And [Wattaqu] fear the Day (of Resurrection) when no soul will be exchanged for another, nor will any intercession be accepted for the disbelievers, nor will they be set free in lieu of compensation nor will they be helped.” [2:48]
“And when We made a covenant with you and raised the Mount above you; “Accept and hold fast to what We give you, and remember what is in it, so that you may attain piety [Tattaqun].” [2:63]
“So We made this incident (of that town) a warning to the surrounding towns (others of their time) and to succeeding generations, and a lesson for the pious [Muttaqin].” [2:66]
“And had they believed and been pious [Wattaqu], then the recompense from Allah is extremely good; if only they knew!” [2:103]
“Basic virtue is not just to turn faces to the East and the West, but true righteousness is that one must believe in Allah and the Last Day and the angels and the Book and the Prophets; and out of love for Allah, to give treasured wealth to relatives and to the orphans and the needy and the traveller, and to those who ask, and to set slaves free; and to keep the prayer established and to pay the charity; and those who fulfil their obligations when they make an agreement; and the patient during times of calamity, in hardships and during holy war; it is they who have proved true to their word; it is they who are the pious [Muttaqun].” [2:177]
“And there is for you in legal retribution [saving of] life, O you [people] of understanding, that you may become righteous [Tattaqun].” [2:179]
