At-Taqwa (Piety) is one of the prominent issues of the Holy Koran; and more than three hundred verses in the Holy Koran lay emphasis on the term, “At-Taqwa” (Piety). Man in his present life, is liable to innumerable types of risks and dangers, in case he fails to follow his Lord’s guidance. This is because the present world, verdant and beautiful as it is, is pregnant with countless perils and mazes: Wealth, women, family, lust and greed, infatuation and temptation.

How can man Safeguard himself against getting lost amidst such mazes and delusions?

How can man safeguard himself against getting trapped in such perilous  temptations?

How can man safeguard himself against getting himself seduced into lusty  desires and caprices?

How can man safeguard himself against mad pursuit of money and wealth?

How can man safeguard himself against wretchedness in the present world and chastisement in the Hereafter.

According to the teachings of Islam, when man formulates his ideology concerning the world, life and man in accordance with what has been revealed in the Holy Koran, and when man builds up his daily activities according to the Divine Revelation and Legislation, he establishes his life on a basis of the fear of Allah and His good pleasure. On the contrary, should his mind go astray, and his work go wrong, he builds up his life upon the brink of a crumbling bank that will tumble with him into Hell Fire.

True and devoted servitude to Allah safeguards man against wretchedness in the present world and punishment in the Hereafter. To this effect, Allah, Glory be to Him, says, “O you men, serve your Lord who created you, and those that were before you; haply so you will be pious.” [II; 21].

Is there anyone save Allah, whose existence is definitive, who is the Perfect and Absolute, the Living and Everlasting, who has the Most Beautiful Names and Attributes, the One and Only, the Everlasting Refuge, the Unique, the First, the Last, the Outward, the Inward, in whose Hand is the Dominion of everything, to whom the whole matter shall be returned, Master of the Kingdom? Is there any one save Allah whose Wrath is to be feared, whose pleasure is to be sought? Is there anyone except Allah whose chastisement is to be feared and whose Mercy is to be sought? Verily, Allah bids mankind to be pious and to fear Him, because He has knowledge of everything, He is swift at reckoning, and to Him is the Return and the Mustering. Allah, the All-mighty speaks the truth when He says, “Then will you fear other than Allah?” [XVI; 52].

However, we fear Allah not only because we are under His Might and Power, and not only because all our matters shall be returned unto Him, but because He is also the Majestic and Splendid, the Bounteous  and Gracious, the Merciful, the Compassionate, the Generous Benefactor. He is as He says, “He is worthy to be feared, worthy to forgive.” [LXXIV; 56].

Man will never fear the wrath of a certain authority or seek the pleasure thereof unless he believes in such an authority in the first place, and in the good he will receive from it in case he obeys it, and in the loss he will have if he disobeys it. This is the nature of man; he will never fear his Lord, he will never avoid what He forbids him to do, and will never do what He bids him to do, unless he knows Him. Thus, religion originates in  Knowing Allah. The this effect, Allah, says, “and fear Allah, if you are believers.” [IV; 57].

Therefore, belief is the basis of piety and fearing Allah. To this effect, Allah, Praise be to Him, says, “Yet had the peoples of the cities believed and been pious, We would have opened upon them blessings from heaven and earth;” [VII; 96].

The ways for knowing Allah are innumerable, most important of which are contemplation on the creation of the heavens and earth. Allah, the Almighty says, “Surely in the creation of the heavens and earth and in the alternation of night and day there are signs for men possessed of minds,” [III; 190], “So let man consider of what he was created,” [LXXXVI; 5],  “Let Man consider his nourishment.” [LXXX; 24], and “What! Do they not consider how the camel was created?” [LXXXVIII; 17], and, “Have they not regarded the birds above them spreading their wings, and closing them? Naught holds them but the All-Merciful.” [LXVII; 19]

Beyond a shadow of doubt, contemplation and deliberation on the Signs that Allah has spread in the heavens and earth, are sure to guide man to absolute definitive belief in the fact that such a great universe must necessarily have a great Creator, a Merciful Lord, a Wise Controller, Who is worthy of obedience, Whose Punishment is to be feared and Whose Pleasure is to be sought.         

Allah All Mighty, says, “Verily, in the alternation of night and day, and what Allah has created in the heavens and the earth are signs for a  people who fear Allah.” [X; 6].

One of the gates that lead to the knowing Allah is the Holy Koran, which is the Right Course, the Straight Path and the Tight Bond of Allah. Should man deliberate its verses and meanings, he will inevitably find out full agreement between the context of this miraculous Book, on the one had, and principles of logic, aspects of good human nature and man’s welfare and interest individually and collectively, on the other.                                              

Deliberation of the Holy Koran leads to absolute definitive belief that it is                                   Allah’s Word that was revealed onto His Messenger Muhammad (PBUH), and that it is the only way to man’s happiness and prosperity in the present world and the world to come. Allah, says, “An Arabic Koran, wherein there is no crookedness, haply they will fear (Allah).” [XXXIX; 28].

Most amazing are those who do not fear Allah; and if the one of them is bidden to fear Him All Mighty, vainglory seizes him in his sin. Despite the fact that Allah, teaches man, through the mind that He has given him, through the Sunna [Prophetic traditions] that manifests His Holy Book, through His acts that confirm His Wisdom and Justice, through the call of those who preach His religion, and through inspiration of holy angels, the question still remains: “why does not man fear his Lord?! Why is he  not afraid of disobeying Him?! Why does not he follow His guidance?!” Allah, says, “And fear Allah;  and Allah teaches you.” [II; 282].

Honesty is in fact one of the fast ways to be pious and fear Allah i.e. to be honest to yourself, to your Lord, to other fellow humans. Truly, man’s belief will never be well established and deeply rooted until his heart is upright; and his heart will never be upright until his tongue is. Allah, says, “O believers, fear Allah, and speak words hitting the mark, and He will set right your deeds for you and will forgive you your sins. Whosoever obeys Allah and His Messenger has won a Good Mighty Triumph.” [XXXIII; 70, 71]

Social environment that safeguards man against evil is also another efficient way to be pious and afraid of Allah. Allah, says, “O believers, fear Allah, and be with the truthful ones.” [IX; 119]

Another efficient way is to seek the means to draw near to Allah, by acquiring knowledge that leads unto Him, under faithful scholars, performing deeds of righteousness and worshipping Allah most sincerely and devotedly. Allah, says, “O believers, fear Allah and seek the means to come to Him.” [VI; 35].

The way to Piety, however, is not paved with flowers and daffodils, but with hardships and adversities, because Allah’s commodity is so dear; and because the work for Paradise is by no means easy, there must always be endurance, self-control, sacrifice and expenditure in the Way of Allah., Allah, the Almighty says, “Whosoever fears Allah, and is patient - surely Allah leaves not to waste the wage of the good-doers.” [XII; 90]

Piety, however, needs complete devotion and sincerity on the part of man. This is because man’s status with Allah All Mighty is determined by the size of his righteous work and sincere devotion. And, indeed, righteous work exalts man in honor and rank. To this effect, Allah says, “All shall have degrees according to what they have done; thy Lord is not heedless of the things they do,” [VI ; 134], and “and the righteous deed uplifts him.” [XXXV ; 10] He All Mighty also says, “so fear Allah as far as you are able.” [LXIV ; 16].

It is most generous of Allah that He, Most Merciful, does not only forgive all man’s evil deeds  as soon as he puts one foot on the way to piety but also causes scribe-angels and even the whole world to forget such evil deeds. Even more, He Most Bounteous increases him in reward. To this effect, Allah says, “And whosoever fears Allah, He will acquit him of his evil deeds, and He will give him a mighty wage.” [LXV; 5].

It is also most beneficent of Allah that as soon as man sets one foot on the way to piety, Allah, appoints for him of His command, easiness. All problems are, hence, solved; all troubles disappear; and difficult things  turn out fair and easy. Allah says, “Whoso fears Allah, He will appoint for him, of His command, easiness.” [LXV; 4].

It is most Bounteous of Allah that He made piety the way out of every hardship, worry and depression. He All High says, “And whosoever fears Allah, he will appoint for him a way out, and He will provide for him (sustenance) from whence he never reckoned.” [LXV; 2].

The Messenger of Allah, (PBUH), confirmed the importance of the above verse, which points out that piety is the way for solving all man’s problems and troubles.

·       Whosoever fears Allah, when being visited by a disaster and bears witness to the Oneness of Allah, be patient under His Judgment, accepts His foreordainment, and sticks to his good principles and sincerity, Allah is sure to appoint for him a way out of such a disaster and turn his hardship and distress into ease and comfort, his fear into security, and his hardship into ease.

·       Whosoever fears Allah and gives no way to vanity or falsehood, Allah is sure to appoint for him a way out of misguidance, loss, delusion and disappointment.

·       Whosoever fears Allah and thus denies his might, power and knowledge, Allah will appoint for him a way out of what He has enjoined on him by helping him to fulfill it.

·       Whosoever fears Allah, adheres to His Commands and never trespasses them, verily Allah will appoint for him a way out from what is prohibited or unlawful  to what is lawful and permissible and from distress to ease, and from the Fire to the Garden of Paradise.

·       Whosoever fears Allah in earning his living, and seeks things that are permissible  and please Allah, He will truly appoint for him a way out from stint of provision to sufficiency, and from destruction of wealth and bankruptcy to protection and growth of wealth.

·       Whosoever fears Allah by adhering to the holy Prophet’s Sunna and tradition, Allah is sure to appoint for Him a way out from misguidance and heresy as well as evil innovations of heretics.

·       Whosoever fears Allah in choosing his wife and treating her, Allah will verily appoint for him a way out from marital wretchedness.

·       Whosoever fears Allah in bringing up his children, Allah will certainly appoint for him a way out of their disobedience and ingratitude.

·       Whosoever fears Allah in finding for himself an adequate decent lawful  job and in performing it properly, Allah is sure to appoint for him a way out of failure and disappointment.

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In fact, Piety is of different levels. Allah All mighty says, “O believers, fear Allah as He should be feared.” [III; 12]

Adherence to Allah’s Commands, that have come to man through authentic reporting is sure to establish a good connection with his Lord. Through this connection Allah is sure to assign to him  a Light whereby he distinguishes Truth from Vanity, Good from Evil, Reality from Falsehood. By such a Divine Light, the believer sees the reality and secrets of things as well as the in results and consequences of deeds. Allah, Glory be to Him, says, “O believers! Fear Allah, and believe in His Messenger, and He will give you a two-fold portion of His mercy, and He will appoint for you a Light whereby you shall walk.” [LVII; 28].

You may lay your hand, with your eyes closed upon something that feels very smooth, but then suddenly cry out and draw back frightfully when you open your eyes to find a scary viper before you. The present world is far more delusive and dangerous.

According to Imam Al-Ghazali, the well-known Muslim scholar, may Allah have mercy on him, Piety is “A light which Allah Casts into man’s heart”. Such light is the essence of the acute insight which ensures rightness of work and happiness in both abodes.

Don’t we all wish to be the most honored with Allah? Then why don’t we fear Him?! Allah All Merciful addresses this matter, “Surely the noblest among you in the sight of Allah is the most pious.” [XLIX; 13].

It has been rightly said, “If you want to be the most honored of all man, then fear Allah ; if you want to be the most powerful, put your trust in Allah; and if you want to be the most prosperous, then be more confident in what Allah is in Allah’s Hands than what is in your own hands.”

Don’t we all wish to be loved by the Creator of the heavens and earth, the One Whose Love causes all of His creatures to us, and Whose Love grants  us tranquility and peace of mind and favos us with a sure abode of Honor in the presence a King Omnipotent? Then let’s fear Him, because He All High says, “Truly Allah loves those who are pious.” [III; 76].

Don’t we all wish that Allah, the Lord of all worlds, the Majestic, the Splendid, our Protector and Guardian, Who takes us forth from the shadows into the light, and Who defends us and puts us under His Divine Care and Protection? Let’s then fear Allah. He, Praise be to Him, says,  “Surely, Allah is the friend of the pious.” [XLV; 19]

Don’t we all wish to have Allah in our favor and with us. If Allah All Mighty is with us, whosoever can be against us? If He All High is against us, whosoever can be with us? Allah’s being with us and in our favor means protection, support, care honor and dignity? Then, why don’t we fear Allah? Allah, Glory be to Him, says, “Verily Allah is with those who are pious, and those who are good-doers.” [XVI; 128].

Prosperity, all prosperity, success, all success, triumph, all triumph, good reason, all good reason, supremacy, all supremacy, wealth, all wealth, good fortune, all good fortune, and happiness, all happiness, are to be guaranteed through piety and fearing Allah. To this effect, Allah, he Almighty says, “And fear Allah; hopefully so you will prosper,” [II; 189], and, “Whosoever obeys Allah and His Messenger has won a mighty triumph.” [XXXIII; 71]

If man feels that he is overwhelmed with Allah’s Grace and, hence, desires to thank Him, how can he thank Him enough and all his existence is out of His Favor, all his entity is indulged in His Bounty? This is because “whatsoever blessing you have comes from Allah”, and “if you count Allah’s blessings, you will never number it”.

In fact, mankind are incapable of counting the wonderful blessings of only one of Allah’s Favors, not to mention thanking Him duly. However, Allah, the Most Gracious, shows us that whosoever fears his Lord, paves for himself the way to be duly thankful to Him. He Most Merciful says, “so fear Allah, haply you will be thankful.” [III; 123].

To sum up, it may be said, that Piety means to safeguard yourself against disbelief by belief, against polytheism by monotheism, against hypocrisy  by truthfulness, against disobedience by obedience, against heresy by  following the holy prophet’s Sunna and tradition, against sinfulness by devoutness, against the charms of the present world by asceticism, against heedlessness by remembrance, against Satan by taking him for an enemy.

Omar bin Abdul-Aziz, may Allah be pleased with him,  used to address his adviser, Omar bin Mujahid, “If, one day, you find me go astray, hold me tight, shake me violently and tell me, ‘Fear Allah, o Omar! You will die!!’”

                                                                                                                 Abu Hanifah An-Nu’man(1), the venerable Imam and scholar, refused to take shelter in the shade of a house of a man to whom he was indebted with some money, after having known that every loan that brings about profit is considered as Riba (usury).   

(1)Abu Hanifah An-Nu’man, An-Nu’amn bin Thabit Al-Taymi, may Allah have mercy on him, was the learder of the Hanifites and the first of the Four Imams of  Schools of Islamic Jurisprudence. He was a trader of silk in Al-Koufah, Iraq. He sought knowledge and became a prominent teacher, a scholar and Mufti. Al-Mansour appointed him as a judge in Baghdad, but he refused to take that post. Therefore, he was imprisoned to death. He was a great authority in judicial matters.