TAQWA: THE PRE-EMINENT KNOWLEDGE

Seeking knowledge is something that is prescribed throughout a Muslim’s whole life, and life ends only at death. It is the door to every success and happiness, both in this dunya and in the Akhira. It is the paradise of this worldly life, whereby many goes unnoticed of this. With the condition that it is done purely seeking the face of Allah, and that it is authentic knowledge, and that results in good. The umma of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ is hoped to be upon goodness as long as there are individuals who are dedicated to seek knowledge.

There are many sciences of knowledge and it is prescribed that one starts by memorizing Qur’an and learning Arabic language. And the key factor which indicates one has knowledge is At-TAQWA. Shaykh Saleh Sindi حفظه الله said: “It is not your memorization of rulings nor is it merely the holding of your pen and writing down on paper that which you hear.  Nor is it putting on a beautiful turban with a long tail to attract the people and make it appear you are a person of knowledge. Nor is it knowledge that you dye your hairs black. Nor is it merely that you put yourself forward in gatherings and address them from that which you possess without understanding the legislative objectives and the reality of knowledge. None of this is considered knowledge. Rather, it is the fear of Allah سبحانه وتعالى in secret and open.”

 TAQWA means obeying Allah in what he has enjoined and refraining from what he has prohibited. Abu Al-Darda رضي الله عنه said: “The complete form of TAQWA is to fear Allah سبحانه وتعالى so much that one begins to fear him from the potential sin, as a mustard seed and until one leaves what might be halal in fear that it could be haram based on the verse, ‘So whoever does an atom’s weight of good will see it.’ So do not prohibit any goodness and act upon goodness. Do not underestimate any evil and protect yourself from it.”

 Allah has made as a result of Taqwa every type of goodness in this worldly life and the hereafter. Allah سبحانه وتعالى said: And whoever is mindful of Allah, He will make a way out for them, has (from every difficulty). And he will provide him from (sources) he could never imagine.} [Al-Talaq: 2-3] And this is both in this worldly life and the hereafter. Allah سبحانه وتعالى said: {And whoever is mindful of Allah, He will make their matters easy for them.fr} [Al-Talaq: 4] Ibn Baz رحمه الله said:” So Allah explains that Taqwa is a means for one’s affair to be made easy, to escape from the constraints of this worldly life and the hereafter, as well as provisions from sources he never could imagine. So, it is in regards to the worldly life and it is in regards to the hereafter. The provisions of hereafter are attaining paradise and being saved from fire.”

Allah سبحانه وتعالى said: {And whoever is mindful of Allah, He will absolve them of their sins and reward them immensely.} [Al-Talaq: 5]

So, what else is left for him? The person who has Taqwa has attained every type of goodness. The most tremendous of it being saved from hellfire and entering paradise.

 We have heard almost in every speech and sermons to have Taqwa of Allah. But we didn’t consider the advice of having Taqwa the way it must be considered. So, in order to have Taqwa, one must seek knowledge. As Allah سبحانه وتعالى said: {It is only those who have knowledge among his slaves that fear Allah}. Hence, Shaykh Al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyahرحمه الله said concerning this verse: “This indicates that everyone who fears Allah has knowledge, which is true; It does not indicate that everyone who has knowledge fears him.” Imam Al-Sa’di رحمه الله said: “The more a person knows Allah, the more he will fear him, and the fear of Allah will make him refrain from sin and prepare to meet the one whom he fears. This is indicative of the virtue of knowledge, for it calls one to fear Allah. The people who fear Allah are the ones who will be honoured by him, as Allah says: {Allah will be pleased with them, and they with him. That is for him who fears his Rabb}. The Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said: “Allah, may He be glorified and exalted, says: ‘By My might, I will not let My slave suffer from fear in two realms or feel safe in two realms. If he feels safe from Me in this world, I will make him feel fear on the Day of Resurrection, but if he fears Me in this world, I will make him feel safe on the Day of Resurrection.’”

Narrated by Ibn Al-Mubarak ibn Az-Zuhd (157); classed as Sahih by al-Albaani in as-Saheehah (742).

 It is incumbent upon us to learn more about this, and to take every means which will result in increase of Taqwa. As it was something that our pious predecessors used to advise each other with. It is also upon us to learn and ponder the lives of Sahabah and early scholars. And also, to increase in remembrance of Allah a great deal, praying qiyam and fasting, and accompanying the righteous and benefitting from them are all great means to foster Taqwa into our hearts. May Allah make us from Muttaqeen … Ameen. Verily, life is short and we will surely meet our creator. So, it is not befitting that our life be wasted upon trivial matters. Strive in being successful in the coming abode which will result in having this life successful as well.

 

SAFA SARA RASHEED

(Ma'hadullugha, First Year, 2022-23)