Taqwa: Enhancing the Quality of a Faithful Life
By: Alvin Qodri Lazuardy/ Indonesian Scholar
The concept of taqwa is broad, just as the meaning of faith is deep and complex for each individual. In His greatness, Allah grants believers the flexibility to practice taqwa according to their own capacity. As He states in the Quran, “Fear Allah as much as you are able” (QS At-Taghabun [64]: 16). The levels of taqwa among believers vary, proving that taqwa itself exists in different degrees.
The first level of taqwa is the awareness of Allah, the fear of Hellfire, and the temptations that lead to sin, along with the effort to avoid wrongdoing. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) once taught that a person cannot attain taqwa at this level unless they avoid everything that is forbidden or unlawful.
The second level involves complete obedience to the teachings revealed to the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). Here, taqwa is not only about avoiding sins but also about fully adhering to obligations and abstaining from all that is prohibited.
The third level of taqwa is when the heart and soul are entirely filled with love and devotion to Allah. Those who reach this level depend on no one but Him, their thoughts are solely focused on Him and His creations, and all their actions are performed solely to seek His pleasure.
At this stage, a true believer (Muttaqi) not only obeys Allah’s commands and prohibitions but also deeply understands their Lord, knowing what He loves and what He dislikes. Every action is guided by love for Allah and His Messenger. The ultimate goal is to seek Allah’s pleasure, ensuring that all deeds are carried out with full awareness of His will.
The virtues of those who possess taqwa are immense, as Allah has promised them extraordinary rewards. He promises to be with them, to love and protect them, to grant them knowledge, to meet them, and to reward them with Paradise and great blessings. This demonstrates that Allah bestows remarkable rewards for righteousness, both in this life and in the Hereafter.
