Taqwa is one of Islam's deepest defining words for a character. On the surface it appears as "fear of Allah," but within there is love, adab, attention, careful living, and a constant spiritual wakefulness. Allah has placed the standard of superiority among people as taqwa — not race, lineage, wealth, or rank. This sermon explores the true meaning of taqwa, its three-degree structure, its Quranic emphases, and how it is lived in daily life.
What Is Taqwa? Deeper Than Fear
The word "taqwa," often translated into English as "fear of Allah," in Arabic means "to protect oneself, to guard oneself, to be cautious." But this is not mere fear — it is a careful consciousness shown so as not to separate oneself from what one loves.
'Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) asked Ubayy b. Ka'b (may Allah be pleased with him) about taqwa. Ubayy replied: "Have you ever walked along a thorny path?" "Yes, I have," 'Umar said. "How did you walk?" "I was careful and gathered up my clothes." Ubayy said: "That is taqwa." A person of taqwa is one who walks among the thorns of the world's sins gathering up the edges of their clothes.
Allah Almighty gives a concrete definition of taqwa in Surat al-Baqarah:
— Al-Baqarah 2:177Righteousness is not that you turn your faces toward the east or the west, but true righteousness (birr) is in one who believes in Allah, the Last Day, the angels, the Book, and the prophets; and gives wealth, in spite of love for it, to relatives, orphans, the needy, the traveler, those who ask, and for freeing slaves; and establishes prayer; and gives zakat; and is among those who fulfill their promise when they promise; and is patient in poverty, hardship, and during battle. Those are the truthful, and those are the people of taqwa.
This verse paints taqwa not as a single sentence but as a portrait of character: iman + generosity + salah + zakat + keeping promises + patience = taqwa.
Taqwa — The Sole Measure of Superiority
In Surat al-Hujurat Allah gives a universal rule about the measure of superiority among people:
— Al-Hujurat 49:13O mankind, indeed We created you from male and female and made you into peoples and tribes that you may know one another. Indeed, the noblest of you with Allah is the most God-conscious (the one with the most taqwa). Indeed, Allah is All-Knowing, All-Aware.
This verse is a closed door against racism, nationalism, and class superiority. With Allah, an Arab is not superior to a Turk; a wealthy person is not superior to a poor one — unless their taqwa is greater. This is the only measure.
The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) repeated this principle in his Farewell Sermon: "An Arab has no superiority over a non-Arab nor a non-Arab over an Arab; a white person has no superiority over a black person nor a black over a white. Superiority is only by taqwa."
The Three Degrees of Taqwa
Classical scholars divide taqwa into three degrees:
1. Protection from shirk (the taqwa of the common): not committing shirk against Allah, not falling into disbelief. The starting level of being a believer.
2. Protection from major sins (the taqwa of the elite): keeping away from major sins like wine, gambling, zina, and riba. Continued obedience, abstinence from haram.
3. Protection from doubtful things (the taqwa of the elite of the elite): leaving even what is doubtful; saying "Is this halal? I do not know, let me leave it." The highest level.
The Prophet (peace be upon him) describes the highest degree in a hadith:
— Sahih al-Bukhari, Iman, no. 52The halal is clear, and the haram is clear; between the two are doubtful matters that many people do not know. Whoever stays away from doubtful matters protects his religion and his honor.
Avoiding doubtful matters — that is the highest degree of taqwa.
Qualities of the People of Taqwa
In Surat Ali 'Imran Allah names six qualities of the people of taqwa:
— Ali 'Imran 3:134-135Those who spend in the way of Allah in ease and in hardship; who restrain their anger; who pardon people — Allah loves those who do good. And those who, when they commit immorality or wrong themselves, remember Allah and ask forgiveness for their sins — and who can forgive sins except Allah? — and who do not persist in what they did while they know.
From these verses come six qualities of a person of taqwa:
- Generosity: spending for Allah in both comfortable and difficult times.
- Anger management: swallowing anger, not reacting immediately.
- Forgiveness: pardoning people, not taking revenge.
- Acknowledging mistakes: when committing a sin, not denying it, remembering Allah.
- Istighfar: immediately seeking forgiveness, repenting.
- Not persisting: not persisting in the same sin.
Taqwa in Daily Life
Taqwa is a consciousness that operates not only at prayer time but in every moment of life:
- When choosing food: Is this halal or haram? Is it from a doubtful source? "Is there someone else's right in my pocket?"
- When speaking: "Is what I am about to say true? Is it backbiting? Is the wording appropriate?"
- In money matters: "Is this earning clean? Does it involve interest? Am I paying the full due of the service I receive?"
- When meeting: avoiding seclusion with a non-mahram.
- When making decisions: "Is this a decision Allah would be pleased with?"
This constant inner questioning is the daily manifestation of taqwa.
A Taqwa Life With VAAZ
The VAAZ app's 99 Names collection features Names like Al-Muttaqi (the One who loves the people of taqwa) and Al-Muhaymin (the Watchful) — a daily reminder for taqwa consciousness. The hadith archive presents hundreds of narrations on "taqwa." The du'a archive categorizes daily du'as for taqwa.
For the link between ikhlas and taqwa, see A Sermon on Ikhlas; for taqwa's reflection in deeds, see A Sermon on Salah.
Taqwa is the practical reflection of the believer's love and awe for Allah. Not merely a state — but a consciousness lived as one breathes. The only thing that distinguishes you from every other person before Allah is this — the strength of taqwa.
References
- The Qur'an, Al-Baqarah 2:177, Diyanet translation.
- The Qur'an, Al-Hujurat 49:13, Diyanet translation.
- The Qur'an, Ali 'Imran 3:134-135, Diyanet translation.
- Sahih al-Bukhari, Kitab al-Iman, Hadith No. 52.