Taqwa

Taqwa (Arabic: تقوى‎‎ taqwā / taqwá ") is an Islamic term for being conscious & cognizant of Allah, of truth, of the rational reality, "piety, fear of God". It is often found in the Quran. Al-Muttaqin (Arabic: لِّلْمُتَّقِينَ‎‎ Al-Muttaqin) refers to those who practice taqwa, or in the words of Ibn Abbas -- "believers who avoid Shirk with Allah and who work in His obedience."

The Arabic word taqwa used in a not-necessarily-religious sense means "forbearance, fear and abstinence."

Some descriptions of the term from Islamic sources include:

According to Tafsir ibn Kathir, the root meaning of taqwa is to avoid what one dislikes. It was reported that Umar bin Khattab asked Ubay ibn Kaab about Taqwa. Ubay said, "Have you ever walked on a path that has thorns on it?" Umar said, "Yes." Ubay asked, "What did you do then?" to which Umar replied, "I rolled up my sleeves and struggled." Ubay said, "That is taqwa, to protect oneself from sin through life’s dangerous journey so that one can successfully complete the journey unscathed by sin."

According to Erik S. Ohlander in his study on "Fear of God (Taqwa) in the Qur'an," taqwa is used in the Qur'an over 100 times. According to the Oxford Dictionary of Islam, Taqwa and its derivatives appear "more than 250 times" in the Qur'an. In a Quranic context, taqwa refers to fear of God in terms of protecting oneself from displeasing God.

The Quran mentions a number of virtues that cultivate taqwa or that taqwa cultivates in a person: Q.2:283 mentions the keeping of trusts (amana); Q.3:76 faithfulness (al-wafa); Q.3:186 patience (al-sabr). Q.7:96, Q.10:63-64, Q.39:10 relate taqwa to the good life (hasanat) on this earth besides reward in the hereafter. Q.65:3 relates taqwa to material ease in this life even where the believer does not expect it.

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