From the Fruits of Taqwa 2

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, And whosoever has Taqwaa (fear) of Allaah and keeps his duty to Him, He will make his matter easy for him. [1]

As for him, who gives (in charity) and keeps his duty to Allaah, and has Taqwaa (fear) of Him and believes in al-Husnaa (a reward from Allaah), we will make smooth for him, the path of ease. [2]

Allaah, the Most High, says, Verily those who have Taqwaa (fear) of Allaah, when an evil thought comes to them from shaytaan, they remember (Allaah), and indeed they then see (aright). [3]

[3] Indeed Taqwaa, is also the cause for opening up the blessings from the heaven and the earth for them.

Allaah, the Most High, says, And, if the people of the towns, had believed and had Taqwaa, certainly we would have opened (bestowed) for them blessings from the heaven and the earth. [4]

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

Allaah, the Most High, says, O you who believe, if you have Taqwaa (fear) of Allaah, He will give you a Furqaan (criterion to judge between right and wrong). [5]

Al-Haafidh Ibn Katheer (d.777H) - rahimahullaah - said: “Ibn Abbaas, as-Suddee, Ikramah, ad-Dahhak, Qataadaah and Muqaatil Ibn 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 said it means, “Salvation"; and in another narration from him, ‘being helped’. Muhammad Ishaaq said that it means: A criterion to judge between truth and falsehood. This explanation from Ibn Ishaaq is the most general of what has preceded and it is a necessary consequence of it. Since whoever has Taqwaa of Allaah by obeying His commands and abandoning what He has prohibited, will be given the ability to recognise truth from falsehood. This will be the cause for his salvation, his being helped; and the cause for his worldly affairs being made easier and his happiness on the Day of Judgement. It will be the cause for his sins to be expiated by Allaah, and his being granted 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: O you who believe! Have Taqwaa (fear) of Allaah and believe in His Messenger; and He will bestow upon you a double portion of His Mercy and He will provide you with a light by which you will walk. [Soorah al-Hadid (57): 28]”[6]

[5] If a believer is in difficulty, indeed having Taqwaa, 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 a way for him, to get out (from every difficulty). And He will provide him (sources) he could never imagine. [7]

[6] Indeed Taqwaa is a means of attaining guardianship of Allaah’s Deen. For verily, the guardians of Allaah’s Deen are the ones who fear Him.

Allaah, the Most High says, Its (true) guardians are not but the Muttaqoon. [8]

And Indeed the wrongdoers are friends and protectors of one another; but Allaah is the Friend and Protector of the Muttaqeen (righteous and God fearing) [9]

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

Allaah, the Most High, states, And if you are patient and have Taqwaa (fear) of Allaah, their plot will not harm you at all. Indeed Allaah is encompassing of what they do. [10]

[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.

Allaah, the Most High, says, And already had Allaah given you victory at the Battle of Badr while you were a weak little force. Then have Taqwaa of Allaah, so that you may be grateful. Remember when you [Muhammad (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam)] 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 have Taqwaa of Allaah and the enemy comes rushing 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. [11]

The descending of help becomes a glad tiding for the believer an assurance for the hearts and an attainment of help from 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. [12]

Allaah, the Most High, says, Help you, one another in al-Birr and at-Taqwaa (virtue, righteousness and pied) but do not help one another in sin and transgression. [13]

Birr is the excellence, virtue and goodness present in something. This follows from the root and the derivation of this word in Arabic. Related to it is burr (wheat), which surpasses other grains in benefits and goodness. Also, a good man is described as 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 of good and perfection expected in a human being. Opposite to it is "ithm" (sinning). The Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) said: “Birr is good manners, and "ithm" is those (evil) thoughts that weave about in your chest and you fear that other people may know about them." [Reported by Muslim].

Taqwaa, on the other hand, is the means and way leading to Birr. The root of the word in Arabic means “protection”. One practicing it protects himself from the fire. Thus the relationship of Birr and Taqwaa is similar to that of health (which is a purpose) and care for the body (which is a means).

Allaah has stated in the story of Mary, 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 - I seek refuge with the Most Merciful (Allaah) from you, (so leave me), if you do fear Allaah.” [14]

[10] Indeed Taqwaa, causes a believer to honour the symbols of Allaah (the sacred places).

Allaah, the Most High, says, And whosoever honours the symbols of Allaah, then it is truly from the Taqwaa of the heart. [15]

[1] Soorah at-Talaq (65): 4

[2] Soorah al-Lail (92): 5-7

[3] Soorah al-A'raf (7): 201

[4] Soorah al-A'raf (7): 96

[5] Soorah al-Anfal (8): 29

[6] Tafseer Qur'aan al-‘Adheem (2/301-302) of Ibn Katheer

[7] Soorah at-Talaq (65): 2-3

[8] Soorah al-Anfaal (8):34. Muttaqoon 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.

[9] Soorah al-Jathiyah (45): 19

[10] Soorah al-Imran (3): 120

[11] Soorah al-Imran (3): 123-126

[12] Soorah al-Imran (3): 126

[13] Soorah al-Maaidah (5): 2

[14] Soorah Maryam (19): 17-18

[15] Soorah al-Hajj (22): 32