{"id":4844,"date":"2021-06-14T14:10:11","date_gmt":"2021-06-14T13:10:11","guid":{"rendered":""},"modified":"2021-06-14T14:10:11","modified_gmt":"2021-06-14T13:10:11","slug":"taqwa","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/shiastudies.com\/en\/4844\/taqwa\/","title":{"rendered":"Taqwa"},"content":{"rendered":"

Taqwa<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Reality of Taqwa<\/strong><\/p>\n

The word \u2018Taqwa\u2019 is derived from the root \u2018waqaya\u2019 which means \u2018to safeguard\u2019 or \u2018to abstain\u2019. In the Islamic terminology it is defined as the action of restraining oneself from disobeying the commands of Allah (S.w.T.). When Imam Ja\u2019far as-Sadiq (a.s.) was asked to elaborate on the meaning of the word, \u2018Taqwa\u2019 he replied, \u201cSubmit to the command {of Allah (S.w.T.)} and do not go near the prohibited.\u201d It means that one should endeavor to fulfill all the commands of Allah and abstain from the prohibited things. On the basis of this, Taqwa is classified into two types:<\/p>\n

The first type of Taqwa consists of compulsory obedience to Allah (S.w.T.) in fulfilling the compulsory duties (Wajib\u0101t) and not leaving even a single duty unperformed. The obligatory commands (Wajib\u0101t) are those which, if not carried out, invite the wrath of Allah (S.w.T.). Also, as far as possible one should try not to forgo the recommended acts (Mustahabb\u0101t). The recommended acts are those, which if performed earn blessings but if not carried out do not make one liable for punishment.
\nSin Obliterates the Good Deeds<\/p>\n

Certain Greater Sins (Gunah al-kabira) render the good deeds void, the details of which will follow in the coming discussions. In brief, it must be mentioned that to refrain from sins is more important than performing good deeds. The following narrations are quoted in support of this statement:
\nThe Importance of Abstaining From the Prohibited
\nFirst Tradition<\/strong><\/p>\n

Imam Ja\u2019far as-Sadiq (a.s.) said,<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cTo refrain from eating a single morsel of Har\u0101m is, near Allah, more valued than the performance of two thousand rakats of recommended prayer.\u201d1
\nSecond Tradition<\/strong><\/p>\n

Imam Ja\u2019far as-Sadiq (a.s.) said,<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cTo forgo a single dirham of prohibited money, is equal near Allah, to seventy accepted Hajjs.\u201d2
\nThird Tradition<\/strong><\/p>\n

He continued:<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cStrive more to perform good deeds. However if you cannot perform a good act (at least) do not disobey (the commands of Allah). Because if one lays the foundation of a building and does not spoil it, then, even if the progress is slow, the building will definitely rise. (Conversely) The person who lays the foundation and at the same time spoils it, then it is sure that the walls of this building will never be raised.\u201d3
\nFourth Tradition<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Holy Prophet (S) said:<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cFor the person who recites \u2018Subhanallah\u2019, Allah plants a tree in Paradise.\u201d<\/p>\n

On hearing this a man from Quraish stood up and said, \u201cIf it is this way, then there must be many trees for us in the Paradise?\u201d The Holy Prophet (S) replied,<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, but you must beware that you don\u2019t set fire from here to burn them all down.\u201d4
\nFifth Tradition<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cJealousy devours belief, like fire devours wood.\u201d5
\nIll-Gotten Wealth Burns Down The Acts of Worship
\nSixth Tradition<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Holy Prophet (S) said:<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cOn the Day of Judgement there would be people whose good deeds will be as heavy as the mountains of Tahama. Inspite of this it would be ordered that they be tossed into the fire of Hell.\u201d<\/p>\n

Upon this someone said, \u201cO! the Prophet of Allah (S), were these people performing Sal\u0101t (prayers)?\u201d,<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, they used to pray, and fast, and also spend a part of the night in worship. But, whenever they chanced upon something which gave them pleasure, they used to rush to it without thinking whether it was right or wrong.\u201d
\nNot Giving the Rights of the People: A Barrier for the Acceptance of Good Deeds
\nSeventh Tradition<\/p>\n

The Holy Prophet (S) said:<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cI have been commanded by Allah to warn my people and say, \u2018Do not go from one mosque to another while someones rights are upon you. If such a person stands up for prayers in that condition, I send my curses upon him till he restores the rights to its owner.\u201d6
\nEighth Tradition<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Holy Prophet (S) said,<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cThere is an angel of Allah who raises the call every night from \u2018Baitul Muqaddas\u2019: \u201cWhoever partakes of the prohibited things, Allah does not accept any of his deeds be they obligatory or recommended.\u201d7
\nGood Deeds are Accepted Only if Accompanied by Piety (Abstinence From the Prohibited Things)
\nNinth Tradition<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cEven if you stand for prayers like a tent peg planted on the ground and keep fasting till you resemble a dried stick and stoop like a bow, Allah will not accept any of your deeds till you have the piety to guard against the evil deeds.\u201d8
\nSin is a Barrier to the Acceptance of Invocation (Du\u2019a)
\nTenth Tradition<\/strong><\/p>\n

Hazrat Musa (a.s.) passed by a person from his followers who was in prostration. After completing his chore Musa (a.s.) returned to find him still in prostration. He said, \u201cIf I had the power to grant your wish I would surely have granted it.\u201d Allah (S.w.T.) revealed to Musa (a.s.) that, \u201cEven if this man prostrates for Me till his head gets detached from his neck, I will not accept his deeds, till he abstains from that which I dislike and does that which pleases Me. Otherwise sin hinders the supplications from acceptance.\u201d9
\nRefraining From Sins is Genuine Worship
\nEleventh Tradition<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cAbstaining from sins is the basis of religion. Hence, refrain from sins in order to become the most pious worshipper. Adorn yourself with piety. Do not perform a single good deed without piety. Surely that deed is most acceptable by Allah which is accompanied by piety, even though it may be trifle. As Allah says, \u201cAllah accepts the good deeds only from the pious people.\u201d10<\/p>\n

Hence if you succeed in remaining aloof from sins, then even if your good deeds are paltry, they would be accepted by the Lord. And when the Lord of the Worlds accepts a deed it cannot be termed as trifle or paltry.
\nAvoidance of Sins is a Must<\/p>\n

Considering the tradition quoted above one is compelled to conclude that it is necessary to dread sinful acts and to be ever cautious of the vices. Only then are the good actions of any consequences. The good deeds must also be performed in such a manner that we strive to emulate as closely as possible the examples set by the high ideals of our Ahl ul-Bayt (a.s.). It should not be that good actions are rendered null and void due to sins. It is necessary to be careful of such an impending loss and disaster for which we ourselves would be responsible.
\nGood Actions Could Be Blown Away Like Dust<\/p>\n

Sulaiman bin Khalid says; \u201c I asked Imam Ja\u2019far as-Sadiq (a.s.) regarding the Qur\u2019anic verse<\/p>\n

And We will proceed to what they have done of deeds, so We shall render them as scattered floating dust. (Surah al-Furq\u0101n 25:23)<\/p>\n

He said,<\/p>\n

\u201cBy Allah, even if their deeds are as white as Egyptian cotton, but if they find sin and lewdness they do not abstain from it.\u201d11<\/p>\n

In other words, their good deeds are scattered like dust due to the lack of piety, and hence are of no value at all. Allama Majlisi (r.a.) writes in the explanation of this tradition, \u201cWorship and obedience is rendered null due to sin.\u201d
\nA Large Number of Pious People Will Enter Paradise<\/p>\n

Imam Ja\u2019far as-Sadiq (a.s.) said,<\/p>\n

\u201cAllah revealed to Hazrat Musa (a.s.), \u201cVerily, My slave cannot achieve nearness to Me without the Three things which I like.\u201d Musa (a.s.) asked with reverence, \u201cMy Lord what are those Three things?\u201d Allah replied, \u201cO! Musa those Three things are: To practice piety in this world, to abstain from sins and to weep due to fear.\u201d Musa (a.s.) asked, \u201cDoes one who fulfills the Three things gets compensation and reward?\u201d<\/p>\n

Allah replied, \u201cOne who practices piety in this world will get Paradise. One who weeps due to My fear will be accorded such a high position that no else would be able to reach it. The deeds of all the creatures shall be accounted. But one who abstains from that which I have forbidden, then accounting of his deeds will not be carried out; he would be admitted to Heaven directly.\u201d<\/p>\n

NOTE:<\/strong>
\n<\/em><\/p>\n

1. Iddat\u2019ud-Dai
\n2. Iddat\u2019ud-Dai
\n3. Iddat\u2019ud-Dai, page 235
\n4. Iddat\u2019ud-Dai page 235
\n5. Us\u016bl al-K\u0101fi
\n6. Iddat\u2019ud-Dai page 236
\n7. Iddat\u2019ud-Dai
\n8. Iddat\u2019ud-Dai
\n9. Page. 125 ibid
\n10. Iddat\u2019ud-Dai
\n11. Iddat\u2019ud-Dai
\n<\/em><\/p>\n

\n

Ijtihad, Taqlid and Ihtiyat<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n