Taqwa and Muttaqi

Taqwa is a quality or character that makes a person live according to the Shari'ah. He adapts his whole life according to the commandments of Allah Ta'ala by following the Mubaarak Tareeqah of our beloved Nabi (Sallallaahu Alaihi Wasallam). The one who inculcates this quality in him on a permanent basis is called a Muttaqi. Such a person is called Deendaar or someone who is firm on Deen. A person who follows Deen has the opportunity to enjoy wellbeing in Dunya also. Allah Ta'ala says in Qur'an-e-Kareem:

"Whoever does good deeds, be he a male or female, and he is a believer, then without doubt We will give him a good life ... "(S16: V97)

As for the difficulties that one may undergo, they are easy to overcome and resolve because one knows that the life in this world is for a limited time. Thus, one knows that the problems also are temporary. The fact that a problem is temporary is already a big relief. As a Muslim, one knows that everything that happens is because Allah Ta'ala has decreed it. It is obligatory to be satisfied with whatever Allah Ta'ala has decreed. It is a state of mind that simplifies great problems which can otherwise seem like mountains on the heart and mind of those who do not have such a state of mind. One sees a person who is eating a very hot spiced kebaab. His tears are falling and his nose is running. This may give the impression to those who do not know, that he is suffering. But people who know, are well aware that he is enjoying an extraordinary inner satisfaction. That is, an external difficulty is not necessarily a sign of internal suffering. It may also be the opposite especially for those who have reached a very advanced degree of Taqwa. Taqwa or living according to Deen is the only solution to all problems. It is the only way to attract the grace of Allah Ta'ala. There is no way to succeed apart from living according to Deen! Taqwa opens the door to blessings and it is a divine protection. Allah Ta'ala says in Qur'an-e-Kareem:

"... And whoever lives in the obedience of Allah, He (Allah) opens his way/create an escape and provides  him from unexpected sources..." (S65: V2-3)

Thus, there is no one who has more well-being than a Muttaqi. The more a person is Muttaqi, the more he enjoys well-being. One cannot escape this. The Auliya-e-Kiraam say that if the kings knew the wealth and the fortune that the Auliya possessed in their hearts, they would try to attack these Auliya Allah. It is a wealth and a fortune that makes all the wealth and fortune of this Dunya tasteless and insignificant. It is something that disturbs a Wali-Allah in his well-being. He considers it a burden that he wants to get rid of as quickly as possible.

Hazrat 'Aisha (Radiyallaahu Anha) used to receive huge sums such as 10,000 dirham but by evening, nothing was left. She was distributing everything to such an extent that there was not much left to be able to buy something for Iftaar. Once, Hazrat Talha Bin Ubaidullah (Radiyallaahu Anhu) came home with a sad and worried face. His wife asked him the cause of his sadness. He replied that the wealth that he has is too much and this is upsetting him. Thus, his wife advised him to distribute whatever he had. Thus, he distributed everything he had to such an extent that he did not even have a dirham left. On that day, Hazrat Talha (Radiyallaahu Anhu) had spent 400,000 Dirhams. Likewise, once Hazrat Talha (Radiyallaahu Anhu) had sold a portion of land for 700,000 Dirhams. He did not sleep a wink due to this wealth. The next morning, he distributed everything.

True nobility and dignity is found in living one's life in the obedience of Allah Ta'ala. This makes a person worthy and noble. The more a person is firm in Deen, the more he is noble and honourable to Allah Ta'ala. Allah Ta'ala said in Qur'an-e-Kareem:

"... Certainly the most noble of you in Allah’s sight, is the one who is the one who is more muttaqui (serious in Deen) ... "(S49/V13)

Without doubt, true Izzah and honour is found when one leads one's life in Dunya according to the commandments of Allah Ta'ala and the Sunnah of Nabi (Sallallaahu Alaihi Wasallam). This is the verdict of Allah Ta'ala who created every atom in the universe. Never can any force dethrone the one whom Allah Ta'ala has crowned. A person who is honoured by Allah Ta'ala cannot be dishonoured by any force. Adhering to Deen makes a person honourable forever. True honour lies in Deen. Real and eternal well-being is found in Deen. All goodness which a person requires is found in Deen.

[English version of "Taqwa et Mouttaqui" – Al Jamiat – Vol.6 No.13]