Pathway to Paradise — Page 62
62 concept of taqwa. The word “taqwa” can best be defined as the “fear of Allah. ” However, that is not to say that one should live in the dread of the Almighty, or that He is a Dreadful Being. Rather, it should be regarded as the fear of the loss of Allah’s l ove. Allah’s love for His creatures is boundless, but a Muslim should be aware that if she disregards His commands, she may lose His Protection and His Bounty. No one can become truly righteous until taqwa has entered every facet of their daily life. Hazrat Ubbay bin Kab, a companion of the Holy Prophet, aptly explained taqwa by likening muttaqi (the righteous) to one who walks through thorny bushes, taking care that his clothes are not caught in and torn by their branches. In other words, a righteous person is one who is ever on his guard against sin and takes God for his shield against temptation. Thus if you remember that Allah sees your every action, and hears your every word at all times, you would steer clear of wrongdoing. All kinds of problems can be avoided or resolved if every action taken is based on taqwa. Taqwa can be demonstrated in dail y life if simple values are constantly practiced, such as sympathy, tolerance, humility, kind speech and gentleness, patience and truthfulness. PRAYER IN DAILY LIFE In Chapter 1, the Islamic prayer or salaat was discussed. Salaat is offered five times daily, at the appointed times of Fajr (at dawn); Zuhr (after midday); Asr (late afternoon); Maghrib (after the sun sets) and Isha (at night). Observing these prayers is the