☕ Taqwa —Allah Consciousness 🌙

Assalamu Alaikum,

Taqwa is one of the most frequently mentioned qualities in the Qur’an.

It is often translated as fear of Allah, but its meaning is broader.

Taqwa is an awareness of Allah that shapes how we live, what we do publicly, what we do privately, what we avoid, and the choices we make when no one else is watching.

It is not simply an emotion.

It is a way of living.

Allah says:

“Indeed, the most noble of you in the sight of Allah is the most righteous of you.”

— Qur’an 49:13

The Arabic word used here is atqākum, the one with the most taqwa.

Allah does not measure us by wealth, status, ethnicity, appearance, or influence.

The distinction that ultimately matters is our relationship with Him.

And that is something the world may never see.

The Prophet ﷺ said:

“Fear Allah wherever you are, follow a bad deed with a good deed and it will erase it, and behave with good character toward people.”

— Jamiʿ at-Tirmidhi 1987

Notice the words:

Wherever you are.

Taqwa does not belong only in the masjid.

It follows the Muslim into the home, workplace, marketplace, phone screen, conversations, and moments spent completely alone.

The word taqwa (تقوى) carries the meaning of protecting or guarding oneself.

In Islam, it means placing a barrier between yourself and Allah’s displeasure through faith, obedience, and avoiding what He has prohibited.

A person with taqwa still makes mistakes.

The difference is that Allah remains part of the equation.

Before the decision:

Is Allah pleased with this?

After a mistake:

How do I return to Allah?

Perhaps one of the clearest tests of taqwa happens in private.

There are things we could say, watch, read, take, or do without another person ever knowing.

But Allah knows.

“Whether you speak openly ˹or not˺, He certainly knows what is secret and what is even more hidden.”

— Qur’an 20:7

Avoiding a sin solely because Allah sees you is a powerful expression of taqwa.

There may be no audience.

But there is never a moment without Allah’s knowledge.

Taqwa changes ordinary decisions.

How you earn your money.

How you speak about someone who isn't present.

What you look at.

How you treat your spouse and children.

Whether you fulfill a promise.

What you do when committing the sin would be easy.

Taqwa is not separate from everyday life.

It is brought into everyday life.

The Prophet ﷺ would supplicate:

Allahumma ati nafsi taqwaha, wa zakkiha anta khayru man zakkaha.

اللَّهُمَّ آتِ نَفْسِي تَقْوَاهَا وَزَكِّهَا أَنْتَ خَيْرُ مَنْ زَكَّاهَا

“O Allah, grant my soul its taqwa and purify it. You are the best to purify it.”

— Sahih Muslim 2722

A beautiful reminder that even taqwa is something we ask Allah to help us attain.

Taqwa does not require withdrawing from the world.

You can work, build a business, raise a family, exercise, travel, enjoy what Allah has made halal, and pursue success.

The question is whether Allah remains present in your decisions while doing it.

That is the life of taqwa:

To live in this world without forgetting the One who created it.

Until tomorrow,
Stay steadfast on the Straight Path.

— Islam Brew 🌙

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