1. Taqwa: Mark of Believer Middlesex University Thursday 11 Nov 2010 Abdullah Hasan

2. What is Taqwa? Waqa [root: و ق ي ] ] I waqahu وقاه to preserve ( ھsomething) [LL, HW, LQ]; to take good of ( ھsomething) [LQ, HW]; to be cautious of (something) [LL]; to safeguard, shield, shelter, preserve, protect, keep (ھ ه someone from); to guard (ھ ه someone against); to protect, offer or afford protection (ھ against); to prevent, obviate (ھ a danger) [HW]; to preserve (a thing) against any harm or injury or damage [R]

3. Definition of Taqwa ‘Following of the commands of Allah the Exalted and avoidance of His prohibitions outwardly and inwardly with a sense of the glorification, reverence, awe and fear of Allah’

4. Imam Ghazzali on Taqwa ‘Taqwa in the Quran has three meanings. First is fear and a sense of awe. The second includes obedience and worship. Third is freeing the heart from sins, which is the reality and essence of taqwa. In summary, taqwa is to guard oneself against the anger of God and His punishment by fulfilling His commandments and abstaining from what He has prohibited. The reality of taqwa is that your Lord never sees you where He has forbidden you to be, nor does He miss you where He has commanded you to be’

5. Benefits of TAQWA : How character-building is achieved Taqwa (Self- restraint) Patience Self-control Self-discipline Responsibility Obedience Purification of soul God-fearing nature Afterlife Accountability

6. Quran & Taqwa Guidance Baqra 2 Admonition (وعظ) Ale-imran 138 Beneficial (خير) Nahal 30 Refresher Haqa 48 How many times is Taqwa mentioned in the Qur’an?

7. Taqwa & Character Limits in revenge Baqara 194 Avoiding bad deeds Tauba 108 Real virtue Baqra 177 Worship & Charity Zariyat 15-19 Means of achieving Higher Grades Maida 93 Self-control/Discipline Fath 26

8. Earning & Taqwa No Interest Baqra 278 Ale-imran 130 No fraudulent trade Sho’ara 179-182 No deceptive dealings Baqra 188 Only earn halal Rizq Maida 88 Haram is not equal to halal Maida 100 Relaxation to Debtors Baqra 281

9. Taqwa in Social Relations Brotherhood Hujarat 10 Prohibition of Backbiting etc. Hujarat 12 No oppression/ aggression Qasas 83 Positive talk in private discussions Mujadala 9 Supporting good activities Maida 2 Ethical Behavior Ahzab 70 Enjoining Good, Forbidding Bad Ale-imran 114-115 Promise keeping Ale-imran 76

10. Fight against Kuffar Tauba 123 Joining Truthful People Tauba 119 Fighting despite injuries Ale-imran 172 Help with Angels Ale-imran 125 Persistence & Unity Ale-imran 200 Struggle with Life & Wealth Tauba 44 Taqwa & Jihad

11. Scope of Taqwa 1.Elimination of haram 2.Avoiding doubtful things 3.Avoiding acts leading to breach of hudud Allah 4.Discharge of all rights (Allah, Nafs, parents, spouse, relatives, poor etc.) 1.Imposing hardship on self 2.Remaining un-married 3.Isolation (tark-e- Duniya 4.Not taking benefit from allowable things/acts 5.Continuous Nafl Worships DesiredOutside the scope

12. Fair-judgment ( حسن المعاملة ) Faithful ( وفاء ) Care of kin (صلة الرحم) Compassion ( شفقة ) Affection ( محبة ) Devotion obedience ( تسلیم و رضا ) Reliance ( توکل ) Sincerity ( صداقة ) Amity (الفة) Fruits of Taqwa (Piety)