The Fruits of Taqwaa By Shaykh Muhammad Ibn Saalih al-‘Uthaymeen

7/31/2019 The Fruits of Taqwaa By Shaykh Muhammad Ibn Saalih al-Uthaymeen

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The Fruits Of Taqwaa

By Shaykh Muhammad Ibn Saalih al-UthaymeenTranslated by Aboo Aneesa Ahmad Shaw

Source:AbdurRahman.org

All praise belongs to Allaah, Lord of the Worlds. Peace and Blessings of Allaah be upon

Muhammad (S.A.W.), his family, his Companions and all those who follow him till theLast Day.

0 believing brothers!

Indeed the advice which Allaah has given to His servants from the time of Aadam upuntil now, has been to havetaqwa (fear) of Him. Glorified and Exalted be He.

The Mighty the Majestic says,

And We have instructed those who were given the scripture before you and

yourselves to havetaqwaa(fear) of Allaah. But if you disbelieve then to Allaahbelongs whatever is in the Heavens and whatever is on the Earth. And ever is Allaah

free of need and praiseworthy. 1,2

It is also the advice of the Messenger of Allaah (S.A.W.) to his nation:

Abee Umaamah Suddee Ibn 'Ujlaan al-Baahilee (R.A.) reports: I heard the Messenger of

Allaah (S.A.W.) giving a sermon in the farewell Hajj, saying, "Fear -your Lord, prayyour five prayers,fast the month Of Ramadaan, pay your zakaah, and obey your leaders,

in doing so, you will enter your Lord's Paradise."3

Whenever the Messenger of Allaah sent a leader of a raiding party on a militaryexpedition, he would advise him, to have a deep rooted taqwaa (fear) of Allaah and he

would also advise the rest of his military party likewise.

The Pious Predecessors (salat) did not stop giving mutual advice for

having taqwaa (fear) of Allaah in their sermons, their corresponding letters and theirtestaments after the Messenger of Allaah passed away.

'Umar Ibn al-Khattaab, radiyallaahu 'anhu, wrote to his son 'Abdullaah: "To proceed:

Verily 1 advise you to havetaqwaa (fear) of Allaah the Mighty and Majestic, for whoeverfears Him, Allaah will protect him, and whoever gives a loan to Him, Allaah will reward

him, and whoever thanks Him, Allaah will increase him."

'Alee, radiyallaahu 'anhu, , gave advice to a man, and he said: "I advise you to

have taqwaa (fear) of Allaah the Mighty, the Majestic. There is no escape in meeting
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Him and there is no other to meet you except Him when you reach the Hereafter, forverily Allaah owns this world and the Hereafter."

One of the righteous, wrote to his believing brother: "I advise you with taqwaa (fear) of

Allaah who knows your secrets and sees your open actions, so remember Allaah at every

time of the night and day, and fear Allaah according to His nearness, and the power Hehas over you. And know that He always sees you. And do not leave His Rule for anotherrule, nor His Dominion, for another dominion, So glorify Him, by fearing Him

immensely."

The meaning oftaqwaa is that the servant puts between himself and that which he fears,a guard that will protect him. 4

The meaning oftaqwaa regarding Allaah's servants is "That the servant puts between himand that which he fears, i.e. gaining the anger and the wrath of his Lord, a guard which

will protect him." By obeying Him and abstaining from disobeying Him.

My noble brother, here are some sayings of our Pious Predecessors, in explaining themeaning oftaqwaa (fear) of Allaah:

Ibn Abbaas, radiyallaahu 'anhu, said: "The ones who fear Allaah, they are the ones who

are wary of Allaah and His Punishments."

The taabi'ee Talq ibn Habeeb 5 said: "If an ordeal appears amongst you extinguish it

with taqwaa. " When asked what is taqwaa, hereplied, "Taqwaa (piety) is that you act inobedience to Allaah, and hope in His mercy, upon a light from Him; and taqwaa is

leaving acts of disobedience to Allaah out of fear of Him, upon a light from Him."6

Ibn Mas'ood, radi allaahu 'anh , said: "Speaking about the statement of Allaah, the MostHigh,

0 you who believe, havetaqwaa (fear) of Allaah, as you should have of Him and donot die except as Muslims. 7

is that Allaah is meant to b obeyed, and not disobeyed; remembered at all times, and not

forgotten; and to be thanked, and we are not to be ungrateful to Him."

So strive 0 my noble brother, in fearing, Allaah, the Mighty and Majestic, for He, glory

be to Him, is entitled to he feared, revered and Glorified in your heart.

Here are some obvious benefits, which are the results of fearing Allaah, in this world:

[1] Verily, fearing Allaah causes the general affairs of mankind, to become easy.

Allaah, the Most High, says,


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And whosoever has taqwaa(fear) of Allaah and keeps his duty to Him, He will makehis matter easy for him. 8

As for him, who gives (in charity) and keeps his duty to Allaah, and

hastaqwaa (fear) of Him and believes inal-husnaa (a reward from Allaah), we will

make smooth for him, the path of ease. 9

[2] Taqwaa protects mankind from the harm ofshaytaan.


Verily those who havetaqwaa (fear) of Allaah, when an evil thought comes to themfromshaytaan, theyremember (Allaah), and indeed they then see (aright). 10

[3]Indeed taqwaa is also the cause for opening up the blessings from the heaven and

the earth for them.


And, if the people of the towns, had believed andhad taqwaa, certainly We wouldhave opened (bestowed) for them blessings from the heaven and the earth.' 11

[4] Taqwaa, causes the servant of Allaah to be successful in distinguishing the truthfrom the falsehood, and to have knowledge of each one of them.


0 you who believe, if you havetaqwaa (fear) of Allaah, He will give youaFurqaan (criterion to judge between right and wrong). 12,13

0 you who believe! (in Moses (Jews) and Jesus (Christians))! Fear Allaah, and

believe too in his Messenger, (Muhammad (S.A.W.)) He will give you a light, inwhich you shall walk straight. 14

[5]If a believer is in difficulty, indeed havingtaqwaa, enables him to come out of it,and to attain provisions and ease from Allaah, the likes of which he could never

imagine. Allaah, the Most High, says,

And whosoever fears Allaah and keeps his duty to Him (has taqwaa), He will make away for him, to get out (from every difficulty). And He will provide him (sources) hecould never imagine. 15

[6] Indeedtaqwaa is a means of attaining guardianship of Allaah'sDeen. For verily,the guardians of Allaah'sDeen are the ones who fear Him.



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Its (true) guardians are not but the muttaqoon.16,17

And Indeed the wrongdoers are friends and protectors of one another; but Allaah isthe Friend and Protector of themiittaqeen (righteous and God fearing). 18

[7] Taqwaa causes a believer not to be frightened by any harm caused by thedisbelievers or by their plots.

Allaah, the Most High, states,

And if you are patient and havetaqwaa (fear) of Allaah, their plot will not harm youat all. Indeed Allaah is encompassing of what they do. 19

[8] It is also the reason, for which Allaah sends help from the heavens at the time of

adversity, and meeting the enemies of Allaah.


And already had Allaah given you victory at the Battle of Badr while you were a

weak little force. Then havetaqwaa of Allaah, so that you may be grateful.

Remember when you (Muhammad S.A.W.) said to the believers, "Is it not sufficient

for you that your Lord should reinforce you with three thousand angels sent

down?" Yes, if you remain patient and havetaqwaa of Allaah and the enemy comesrushing at you in rage, your Lord will reinforce you with five thousand angels,

having marks (of distinction). And Allaah made it not except as a glad tiding for you

and to reassure your heart; And victory is not except from Allaah, the Exalted in

Might, the Wise. 20

The descending of help becomes a glad tiding for the believer, an assurance for the heartsand an attainment of help froiii the Most Powerful, the Most Wise.


Allaah made it not, but as a message of good news for you, and as an assurance to

your hearts. And there is no victory except from Allaah, the All Mighty, the All

Wise. 21

[9] Taqwaa causes a lack of enmity or grievance between the servants of Allaah.


Help you, one another inal-birr and at-taqwaa (virtue, righteousness and piety) butdo not help one another in sin and transgression. 22, 23

Allaah has stated in the story of Mary,


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Then We sent to her our angel (Gabriel), and he appeared before her in the form of

a man in all respects. She said, "Indeed - 1 seek refuge with the Most Merciful

(Allaah) from you, (so leave me), if you do fear Allaah.', 24

[10] Indeedtaqwaa, causes a believer to honour the symbols of Allaah (the sacred

places).


And whosoever honours the symbols of Allaah, then it is truly from the taqwaa ofthe heart. 25

[11] It is also a means by which a believer does good actions, and a cause for them to

be accepted by Allaah. Likewise it is a forgiveness of sins.


0 You who believe! Havetaqwaa (fear) of Allaah and always speak the truth. He will

direct you to do righteous and correct actions and will forgive you your sins and

whosoever obeys Allaah and His Messenger has indeed attained a great

achievement. 27

[12] Indeedtaqwaa causes a believer to lower his voice in front of the Messenger ofAllaah (S.A.W.) whether that was during his life time or after his death.


Indeed those who lower their voices in the presence of Allaah's Messenger (S.A.W.)

they are the ones whose hearts, Allaah has tested fortaqwaa (piety), for them isforgiveness and a great reward. 28

The scholars have said: It is disliked to raise ones voice, by the Prophet's grave just as itwas disliked to raise ones voice in front of him while he was alive. So just as he was

respected while he was alive, he is to be respected while in his grave.

[13]Indeed taqwaa causes a believer to attain Allaah's Love, and this love which

Allaah bestows upon the believers is for this life and the Hereafter.

The Messenger of Allaah said that Allaah said: "There is nobetter way in which myservant comes close towards Me, except by the things I have made obligatory for him.

And my servants who do the optional actions, keep on coming towards Me, until I Lovehim,,and if I Love him, Ibecome his hearing by which he hears,andhis sight by which he

sees, and his hand, by which he grasps with, andhisfeet by which he walks with, and if he


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asks Me, indeed 1 willgrant him, and if he seeks protection in me, I will indeed protecthim."29


Yes, whosoever fulfils his pledge and hastaqwaa (fear) of Allaah much, then indeed,Allaah loves those who aremuttaqoon (righteous and God fearing. 30

[14] Taqwaa causes a believer to attain knowledge, and it is the key to knowledge.


So have taqwaa of Allaah, and Allaah teaches you, and Allaah is the All-Knower of each

and everything. 31, 32

[15] Taqwaa causes a believer to become strong. A person who has taqwaa will be

protected from deviation, and straying from the Right Path, after Allaah hasbestowed the guidance upon him.


And verily, this is My Straight Path, so follow it, and follow not other paths, for they

will separate you away from His Path. This He has instructed for you, that you maybecomeal-muttaqoon. 33

[16] Indeedtaqwaa causes a believer to attain Allaah's Mercy and this Mercy is forthis life and the Hereafter.


And My Mercy embraces all things, that (mercy) 1 shall ordain for those who are

themuttaqoon, andgivezakaat; and those who believe in our Signs. 34

[17] Taqwaa causes the believer to attain Allaah's company, and this is of two types:

(i) The first is general for all of His servants, where Allaah accompanies them by His

Hearing, Seeing and Knowledge for verily, Allaah, the Most High, is the All-Hearer,Seer, and Knower of all His servants condition.


And He is with you wherever you may be. 35



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Have you not seen that Allaah knows whatsoever is in the heavens and the Earth!

There is no secret counsel of three, but He is their fourth (with his knowledge, while

He Himself is over the throne, above the seventh heaven) nor of five, but He is theirsixth not of less then that or more, but He is with them wheresoever they may be. 36

(ii) As for the second type, it Is a specific type of accompanying which includes Allaah'shelp, support and aid.

As Allaah, the Most High stated,

Be not sad (or afraid), surely Allaah is with us. 37


He (Allaah) said Fear not Verily 1 am with you both (Moosaa and Haaroon),

Hearing and Seeing. 38

There is no doubt that this specific type of accompanying is for those who fear Allaah.


Truly, Allaah is with those, who havetaqwaa (fear) of Him, and those who are thedoers of good. 39

And know that indeed Allaah is with those who fear him (muttaqeen). 40

[18] Indeed they will have a good outcome on the Day of Judgement due to

theirtaqwaa of Allaah.


And the good end ( Paradise ) is for themuttaqoon. 41

And verily, for themuttaqoon is a good final return. 42

So be patient. Surely the good end is for themuttaqoon. 43

[19] Indeed it causes the believer to have glad tidings in this life, either by it being a

righteous dream or by the love and praise, which the people have for him.


Those who believed and used to fear Allaah, for them are glad tidings, in this life of

the present world, and in the Hereafter. 44


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Imaam Ahmad reported, from Aboo Dardaa that the Prophet said with regards to Allaah'sstatement,

For them are Glad tidings

That it is the true good dream (that conveys glad tidings) whichthe Muslim will see, or hewill be seen in it by someone else". 45

Aboo 'Umar al-Ghafaarce, radiyallaahu 'anhu, reported that he asked the Messenger of

Allaah "O Messenger of Allaah! What about the man who does deeds ' which the peoplepraise and commend him for?" The Prophet (S.A.W.) replied: "That is the good news this

life for the believer." 46

[20] Taqwaa prevents a woman from speaking softly, thus stopping a man who has asickness in his heart (i.e. an evil desire for adultery).


0 Wives of the Prophet! You are not like any other women. If you keep your duty (to

Allaah), than be not soft in speech, lest he, in whose heart is a disease, should be

moved with desire, but speak in an honourable manner. 47

[21] Indeed, it prevents injustice in matters of wealth (e.g. a will, testament etc.)


It is prescribed for you, when death approaches any of you, if he leaves wealth, that he

make a bequest to parents and next of kin, according to reasonable manners, this is a dutyupon the muttaqoon (the pious).48

[22] It causes the believer to give the divorced woman her prescribed compensation.


And for the divorced women, maintenance (should be provided) on a reasonable(scale), this is a duty on themuttaqoon (the pious) 49

[23] Indeed it causes a believer not to lose good rewards, which he has gained, for

this life or the Hereafter.

Allaah, the Most High, says - after He had bestowed His blessings upon Yoosuf, 'alayhis-salaam, by uniting him with his family:

Verily, he who fears, Allaah with obedience to Him, and is patient, then surely,Allaah makes not the rewards of the good-doers to be lost. 50


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[24] Indeed it causes a believer to gain guidance.


Alif Laam Meem. This is the Book about which there is no doubt, a guidance to those

who are themuttaqoon. Who believe in the unseen, establish prayer, and spend outof what We have provided for them.51

Those are upon (right) guidance from their Lord, and it is those who are

successful. 52

The Benefits Which A Believer Can Attain In The Hereafter Due To Having

Taqwaa Of Allaah

[1] Indeed it causes a believer to become noble in the sightof Allaah.


Verily, the most honourable of you in the sight of Allaah is that (believer) whohastaqwaa. 53

[2] It causes a believer to become successful.


And whosoever obeys Allaah and His Messengerfears Allaah and keeps his duty (toHim), suchare the successful 54

[3] Indeed it causes a believer to be saved from the Punishment of Allaah, the Most

High, on the Day of Judgement.


There is not one of you, but will pass over it (Hell).This is with your Lord, a decree

which must be accomplished. Then He shall save those who used tofear Allaah and

were dutiful to Him. And we shallleave the wrong doers therein (humbled) to

theirknees (in Hell). 55

And the muttaqoon, will be removed from it (Hell). 56

[4] Indeed it causes a believer's good deeds to be accepted

Allaah, the Most High, says,,

Verily, Allaah accepts only from those who are themuttaqoon (the pious and god-fearing). 57


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[5]It causes a believer to inherit Paradise .


Such is the Paradise which we shall give as an inheritance, to those of our slaves who

have been themuttaqoon (the pious and God-Fearing). 58

[6] Indeed, it causes a believer to have lofty rooms (in Paradise ) one above the

other.


But those who fear Allaah and keep their duty to their Lord, for them are built lofty

rooms one above another, under which rivers flow. (This is) the Promise of Allaah,and Allaah does not fail in His promise.59

There is a hadeeth that says:Indeed in Paradise , there are roomswhose front can be seenfrom their back and whose back call beseen, from their front (meaning theywill be

transparent). Then abedouin asked: "To whom does it belong to 0 Messenger of Allaah.

"He (S.A.W.) said to him, "He who has pleasant, speech, feeds the needy,and prays the

night prayer, while the people are sleeping."60

[7] Indeed it causes the believers to have a high status above the disbelievers on the

Day of Judgement, and that they will dwell in the highest part of Paradise .


Beautiful is the life of this world, for those who disbelieve, and they mock at thosewho believe. But those who obey Allaah's orders and keep away from what He has

forbidden, will be above them on the Day of Resurrection. And Allaah gives (of His

bounty, blessings, favours on the Day of Resurrection) to whom He wills without a

limit. 61

[8] Indeed, it causes them to enter Paradise , and that is because Paradise has been

prepared for those, who havetaqwaa.


And be quick for forgiveness from your Lord, and for Paradise , that is as wide asthe heavens and the Earth, prepared for themuttaqoon. 62

And if only the People of the Scripture (Jews and Christians) h ad believed (in

Muhammad and warded off evil and had becomeal-muttaqoon, We would haveindeed blotted out their sins and admiitted them to the gardens of Paradise. 63


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[9] It causes remission of bad actions and forgiveness for the mistakes a believer

might commit.


And Whosoever fears Allaah and keeps his duty to Him. He will remit his sins fromhim, and will enlarge his reward . 64

And if only the people of the Scripture (Jews and Christians) had believed (in

Muhammad and warded off evil, and had become al-muttaqoon, We would haveindeed blotted their sins and admitted them to the gardens of Paradise. 65

[10] Indeed it causes the believer to have what his heart desires, and what is pleasing

to his eyes.


And paradise (gardens of eternity), which they will enter, under which rivers flow,

they will have therein all that they wish, thus Allaah rewards themuttaqoon. 66

[11] Indeed, it causes the believer not to fear nor grieve, and neither shall any evil

touch them on the Day of Judgement.


And Allaah, will deliver those who are themuttaqoon, to their places of success (Paradise ), evil shall touch them not, nor shall they grieve. 67

No doubt! Verily, theawliyaa' (friends) of Allaah, no fear shall come upon them, norshall they grieve. 68

[12] They will be gathered on the Day of Judgement, wafdan (like a delegatepresented before a king of honour) and the meaning ofwafdan, is that they will

come towards Allaah, the Most High, riding.


The day We shall gather themuttaqoon unto the Most Beneficent, like

a (wafd) delegate (presented before a King of Honour). 69

Ibn Katheer said, quoting. a hadeeth From Nu' maan ibn Sa'eed, he said: "We weresitting. with 'Alee, (R.A.) t, when 'Alee recited this verse, "The day we shall gather

theMuttaqoon untothe Most Beneficent like a delegate (presented before a King

ofHonour)." He said, "No, by Allaah, they will not he gathered upon their legs. The

delegates will not be gathered upon their legs, but upon a she camel, the likes of which


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the creation has never seen before, its saddles will be made from gold, they will ride uponit until they knock at the gates of Paradise ."

[13] Paradise will be bought, near to them, because they havetaqwaa.

Allaah. the Most High, says,

And Paradise will be brought near to themuttaqoon. 70

[14] Indeed, it causes the believer, not to be on the same level, as

thefujjaar, (wicked, evil criminals etc.) or thekuffaar (disbelievers).


Shall we treat those who believe and do righteous good deeds, as those who associate

partners in worship with Allaah, and commit crimes on earth? Or shall we treat

themuttaqoon as the fujjaar (wicked, evil criminals)? 71

[15] Every type of companionship or friendship, which wasfor other than Allaah

will be transformed on the Day ofJudgement into enmity, except for the

companionship ofthose who had taqwaa.


Friends, that day, will be foes, one to another except themuttaqoon .72

[16] They will be in a place of security, among gardens andfountains.


Verily, themuttaqoon will be in a place of security (Paradise) among gardens andsprings, dressed in fine silk and (also) in thick silk, facing each other, so (it will be),

and we will marry them to female fair ones with wide lovely eyes (hoorin'een) theywill call therein for every kind of peace and security. They will never taste death

therein, except the first death (of this world), and He will save them from thetorment of the blazing fire. 73

[17] Indeed, they will have a seat of truth (i.e., Paradise ), near the Omnipotent

King, Allaah, the Most High.


In a seat of truth (i.e., Paradise ) near the Omnipotent King (Allaah, the Majestic,

the Most High). 74


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[18] Taqwaa is the cause for having different rivers in Paradise one of sweet water,the other being of milk, of which the taste, never changes, and yet another being a

river of wine, delicious to those who drink it.


The description of Paradise, which themuttaqoon, have been promised is that, in itare the rivers of water the taste and smell of which are not changed, rivers of milk of

which the taste never changes, rivers o f wine, delicious to those who drink it, and

rivers of clarified honey therein for them is every kind of fruit, and forgiveness from

their Lord. 75

There is a hadeeth in Saheeh al-Bukhaaree, in which the Prophet said: "Who you ask

Allaah ,the Most High, then ask Him foral-Firdous, for

verily, it is in the middle of Paradise, and it is thehighest level of paradise, from where

the rivers flow, and above it isthe Throne of the Most

Merciful (Allaah)."

[19] Taqwaa causes the believer to have the ability to travel under the shades of thetrees of Paradise, and to have comfort from its shade.


Verily, themuttaqoon shall be amidst shades and springs, and fruits, such as theydesire. Eat and drink in satisfaction for what you used to do. 76

Anas bin Maalik, radiyallaahu 'anhu, said, the Messenger of Allaah (S.A.W.)

said: "Indeed in Paradise, is tree, wherein the rider will travel under its shade for ahundred -years and still not pass beyond it. 77

[20] For themuttaqoon, on the Day of Judgement will be glad tidings; the greatest

terror (on the Day of Judgement) will not grieve them, and the angels will meet

them.


No Doubt! Verily theAwliyaa (friends) of Allaah, no fear shall come upon them, norshall they grieve, those who believed in Allaah, and used to fear Him much (by

abstaining from evil deeds and sins and by doing righteous deeds). For them areglad tidings, in the life of the present world, and in the Hereafter. 78

Ibn Katheer said: "As for the glad tidings in the Hereafter, it is what Allaah, the Most

High, says,


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The greatest terror (on the Day of Judgment) will not grieve them, and the angelswill meet them (with the greeting): This is your day, which you were promised . 79

[21] Verily, themuttaqoon, will have a better home in the Hereafter.


And the home of the Hereafter will be better, and excellent indeed will be the homeof themuttaqoon. 80

[22] Verily, themuttaqoon, will have their rewards, and their good actionsmultiplied, as Allaah, the Most High, said,

0 you who believe! Have taqwaa of Allaah and believe in His Messenger; and He will

bestow uponyou a double portion of His Mercy and He will provide you with a light

by which you will walk.81

So we ask Allaah the Mighty and Majestic to make us from His servants who

have taqwaa and who are thankful. All praise is due to Allaah the Lord of the Worlds;and May all peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad upon his family and all

his Companions.

FOOTNOTES

1 Soorah an-Nisaa' (4):131.

2 AI-Haafidh Ibn Katheer said that "Allaah instructed you just as He instructed others

before you to fear Him and no one else." Tafseer Quraan al-Adheem (1/ 504).

3 Reported by at-Tirmidhee.

4 Ibn Rajab, rahimaullah, said: "The essence oftaqwaa is to make a shield (whichguards) against Allaah's anger and punishment. That shield is to obey His commandments

and abstain from His prohibitions..." (Jaami'ul-'Ulootiz ii.alHikaam: 190/191).

5 Talq Ibn Habeeb was a famous Taabi'ee. He was known for his knowledge, piety and

his recitation of the Qur'aan.

6 Related by Ibn Abee Shaybah in Kitaabul-Eei7iaa (No.99) and it wasdeclared saheeh by Shakyh al-Albaanee.

7 Soorah Aal-'1mran (3): 102.

8 Soorah at-Talaaq (65): 4.

9 Soorah Al-Layl (92):5 - 7.


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10 Soorah al-Araaf (7):201.

11 Soorah al-Araaf (7):96.

12 Soorah al-Anfaal (8):29.

13 AI-Haafidh Ibn Katheer (d.777H), rahimahtillaah, said: "Ibn Abbaas, as-Suddee,

'Ikramah, ad-Dahhak, Qataadaah and Muqaatil lbn Huyyaan, all said about "Furqaan" that it means that it is a way out (from difficulty). Mujaahid added: A way out (from

difficulty) both in this world and in the Hereafter. in a narration from Ibn Abbaas he saidit means, "Sailvation"; and in another narration from him, 'being helped. Muhammad

lshaaq said that it means: A criterion to judge between truth and falsehood. Thisexplanation from Ibn Ishaaq is the most general of what has preceded and it is a

necessary consequence of it. Since whoever has taqwaa ofAllaah by obeying Hiscommands and abandoning what He has prohibited. will be given the ability to recognise

truth from falsehood. This will he the cause for his salvation, his being helped; and the

cause for his worldly affairs being made easier and his happiness on the Day ofJudgement. It will he the cause for his sins to be him expiated by Allaah, and his beinggranted forgiveness and Allaah shielding him from the people. It will likewise be the

cause of him being the recipient of a great reward from Allaah, as He the Most High says:0 you who believe! Have taqwaa(fear) of Allaah and believe in His Messenger; and

He will bestow upon you adouble portion of His Mercy and He will provide you witha light by whichyou will walk [Qur'aan (57):281" TqfseerQuraan al-Adheem(2/301-

302) of lbn Katheer.

14 Soorah al-Hadeed (57):28.

15 Soorah at-Talaaq (65):2-3.

16 Soorah al-Anfaal (8):34.

17Muttaqoon literally: "those who have taqwaa" i.e. who have piety, righteousness, fear

and love of Allaah, and who take great care to avoid His displeasure.

18 Soorah al-Jaathiyath (45):19.

19 Soorah Aal-'Imraan (3):120.

20Soorah Aal-'Imraan (3):123-126.

21 Soorah Aal-'lmraan (3):126

22 Soorah al-Maa'idah (5):2.

23Birris the excellence, virtue and goodness present in something. This follows fromthe root and the derivation of this word in Arabic. Related to it is burr ("wheat"), which


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surpasses other grains in benefits and goodness. Also, a good man is describedas barr(fulfilling his promise). Allaah described the angels as Bararah (pious and just)

and the dwellers of Paradise as abraar (righteous). Birr, then comprises of all kinds ofgood and perfection expected in a human being. Opposite to it is ithm (sinning). An-

Nuwaas bin Si'maan, (R.A.), reported that the Prophet said: "Birr is goodmanners, and

ithm is those (evil) thoughts thatweave about inyour chest and you fear that otherpeoplemay knowabout them. [Reported by Muslim].

Taqwaa, on the other hand. is the means and way leading to birr. The root of the word inArabic means "rotection".One practising it protects himself from the fire. Thus the

relationship ofbirr and taqwaa is similar to that of health (which is a purpose) and carefor the body (which is a means).

24 Soorah al-Maryam (19):17-1 8.

25 Soorah a]-Hajj (22):32.

27 Soorah al-Ahzaab (33):70-71

28 Soorah al-Hujuraat (49):3.

29 Saheeh al-Bukhaaree

30 Soorah Aal-'Imraan (3):76.

31Soorah al-Baqarah (2): 282

32 Allaah. the Most High ,says,

0 you who believe! Havetaqwaa (fear) of Allaah and believe in His Messenger; andHe will bestow upon you a double portion of His Mercy and He will provide you

with a light by which you shall walk .[Soorah al-Hadeed (57):28]


0 you who believe, Havetaqwaa (fear) of Allaah, He will give youaFurqaan (criterion to judge between right and wrong). [Soorah al-Anfaal (8):29]

33 Soorah al-An'aam (6):153.

34 Soorah al-A'raaf (7):156.


36 Soorah al-Mujaadilah (58):7.


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37 Soorah at-Tawbah (9):40.

38 Soorali Taa Haa (20):46.

39 Soorah an-Nahl (16):128.

40 Soorah at-Tawbah (9):36.

41 Soorah Taa Haa (20):132.

42 Soorah Saad (38):49.

43 Soorah Hood (1l):49.

44 Soorah Yoonus (10):63-64.

45 Saheeh Muslim.

46 Saheeh Muslim.

47 Soorah al-Ahzaab (33):32.

48 Soorah al-Baqarah (2):180.


50 Soorah Yoosuf (12):90.

51 Soorah at-Baqarah (2):1-3.


53 Soorah al-Huiuraat (49):13.

54 Soorah an-Noor (24):52.

55 Soorah Maryam (19):71-72.

56 Soorah al-Layl (92):17.

57 Soorah al-maa'idah (5):27.

58 Soorah al-Maryam ( 1 9):63.

59 Soorah az-Zumar (39):20.


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60 Sunan at-Tirmidhee.


62 Soorah Aal-'llnraan (3):133.

63 Soorah al-Maa'idah (5):65.

64 Soorah at-Talaaq (65):5.

65 Soorah a]-Maa'idah (5):65.

66 Soorah an-Nahl (1 6):3 1.

67 Soorah az-Zumar (39):6 1.


69 Soorah Maryam (1 9):85.

70 Soorah ash-Shuaraa (26):90.

71 Soorah Saad (38):28.

72 Soorah Az-Zukhruf (43):67.

73 Soorah ad-Dukhaan (44):5 1-56.

74 Soorah al-Qamar (54):55.

75 Soorah Muhammad (47):15.

76 Soorah al-Mursalaat (77):41-43.

77 Saheeh Al-Bukhaaree


79 Soorah al-Ambiyaa (2l):103.

80 Soorah an-Nahl (16):30.


Documents

The Fruits of Taqwaa By Shaykh Muhammad Ibn Saalih al-‘Uthaymeen