Inspiration for Your Daily Life
How to Develop Taqwa: Steps to Strengthen Your Faith and Connection with Allah
Introduction The concept of Taqwa of Allah is one of the most significant attributes that every Muslim is expected to acquire. Taqwa of Allah is a comprehensive notion that entails being conscious of Allah, obeying his orders, and remaining far from his prohibitions.A Muslim with Taqwa understands that Allah is always aware of what happen […]
Introduction
The concept of Taqwa of Allah is one of the most significant attributes that every Muslim is expected to acquire. Taqwa of Allah is a comprehensive notion that entails being conscious of Allah, obeying his orders, and remaining far from his prohibitions.A Muslim with Taqwa understands that Allah is always aware of what happen in the universe including the occurrences in the hearts of his creation. Therefore, such a Muslim is expected to deal with worldly matters with utmost sincerity and responsibility. In addition, a person with Taqwa is in a better position to deal with moral dilemmas since he/she can easily determine the right and wrong thing to do.Moreover, Taqwa enables a person to maintain a good relationship with Allah which in turn guides him/her to make better choices in his/her life.
What does Taqwa of Allah mean
The word Taqwa means to protect oneself by practicing whatever Allah has permitted and avoiding whatever he has prohibited. One of the major characteristics of Taqwa is sincerity. It is impossible for a Muslim to attain Taqwa because human beings are prone to weakness and sins. However, a Muslim is supposed to acknowledge his mistakes, seek forgiveness from Allah, and move on with his life.Allah says in the Qur’an:“O mankind! Indeed, We created you from a male and a female, and made you into peoples and tribes so that you may know one another. Surely the most noble of you in the sight of Allah is the most righteous among you. Allah is truly All-Knowing, All-Aware.”[Qur’an 49:13]This verse is an indicator that wealth, gender, tribe, race, or status cannot determine the superiority of an individual. On the contrary, Allah emphasizes on the level of piety and Taqwa of a Muslim. Therefore, every Muslim is expected to develop Taqwa of Allah to elevate his/spiritual status in the eyes of Allah.
Examples of Taqwa of Allah
Taqwa of Allah can be demonstrated in several ways in our daily lives. For instance, a person might find himself/herself in a situation where his actions are not known to anyone else, but he/she exercises caution due to the fear of Allah.This kind of a person will definitely refrain from sins just because he/she knows that Allah is aware of all actions of mankind. Another example of demonstrating Taqwa is by avoiding all activities and matters that are considered Haram in Islam. For instance, a Muslim merchant is supposed to deal in a morally acceptable manner even if no one can detect his dishonest dealings. A sincere Muslim is also supposed to avoid using harsh words against other people even when angry. These are some of the practical examples of displaying Taqwa of Allah that, if practiced by all Muslims, would surely accelerate global peace.The teachings of the Prophet ﷺ on Taqwa of AllahThe Prophet ﷺ taught his followers to exercise Taqwa of Allah in all their endeavors and deal with others with utmost sincerity. He encouraged Muslims to avoid the company of those who lead them towards sins and reminded them of the short temporality of this world. In addition, the Prophet ﷺ taught his followers to perform good actions even when no one else is aware of it. He ﷺ emphasized the significance of sincerity in all actions that Muslims perform. According to him ﷺ, the degree of sincerity determines the level of faith that a Muslim possesses. The Prophet ﷺ also taught his followers to focus on the adorning of the heart. The lessons of the Prophet ﷺ remind Muslims of their responsibilities towards Allah and their relationships with other people.
How can we increase our Taqwa of Allah
Like any other attribute, Taqwa can be increased by practicing it on a regular basis. Some of the effective ways that can help increase Taqwa of Allah include observing all the pillars of Islam, especially the five daily prayers. In addition, engaging in regular supplications, remembrance of Allah, and reading from the holy Qur’an facilitate an increase in Taqwa. A Muslim is also expected to avoid committing sins and associate with honest and virtuous people. Moreover, a believer should remember Allah at all times and acknowledge the fact that this world is a transitory phase and that they will one day answer to him. Therefore, it is essential for every individual to always ask him/herself, “if Allah sees me doing this, will he be pleased with what I am about to do or will he be disappointed in me”
Conclusion
The concept of Taqwa of Allah is a very significant aspect of life that every Muslim is expected to comprehend. The idea behind the concept is that human beings should protect their hearts and souls from sins and vices, which, in turn, promote good moral values and righteousness. It is noteworthy that Taqwa of Allah is a personal matter and as such, every Muslim should focus on developing his/her level of Taqwa. In conclusion, every believer should increase his/her Taqwa of Allah by obeying the orders of Allah and avoiding his prohibitions. In addition, they should ask for forgiveness when they commit sins and always remember Allah.