Tuesday, October 9, 2007

Goal Setting & Goal Achievement: لعلكم تتقون (... in order that you may achieve Taqwa) - Part Two

Benefits of Taqwa

The word “تقوى” and its cognates appear numerous times in the Qur’an and in a variety of different contexts. From this we can gauge the benefits of Taqwa (not only in this life but also in the after life), and why it is important to develop this important quality which serves as a shield protecting us from vice. I will here suffice with just listing the benefits together with the relevant Qur'anic references

Benefits of Taqwa in this Life:

(1) it is a cause for facilitating and making things easy in life

(Surah al-Talaq: 4)
(Surah al-Layl: 5 - 7)

(2) it is a cause for protection against the harms of shaytan
(Surah al-A’raf: 201)

(3) it is the cause for receiving blessings from the heavens and the earth
(Surah al-A’raf: 96)

(4) it is a cause for being able to distinguish between right and wrong, truth and falsehood, etc.
(Surah al-Anfal: 29)

(5) it is a cause for being delivered from difficult situations, and obtaining sustenance from whence one knows not
(Surah al-Talaq: 2 - 3)

(6) it is a cause for gaining Allah’s Friendship
(Surah al-Anfal: 34)
(Surah al-Jathiyah: 19)

(7) it is a cause for eliminating one's fear of the harm and destructive plans of the enemy
(Surah Al ‘Imran: 120)

(8) it is a cause for bringing on the arrival of heavenly help when confronting the enemy
(Surah Al ‘Imran: 123 – 126)

(9) it is also a cause for enabling Muslims to live and co-exist peacefully without harbouring any animosity and grudges towards each other
(Surah Maryam: 17 – 18)

(10) it is also cause for venerating the Islamic religious institutions and symbols
(Surah al-Hajj: 32)

(11) it is also a cause for one’s actions to be righteous and be accepted by Allah as well as having one’s sins forgiven
(Surah al-Ahzab: 70 – 71)

(12) it is also a cause for lowering one’s voice in the presence or company of the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him)
(Surah al-Hujurat: 2)

(13) it is a also a cause for gaining Allah’s Love both in this life and the Hereafter
(Surah Al ‘Imran: 76)

(14) it is also a cause for acquiring knowledge
(Surah al-Baqarah: 182)

(15) it is also a cause that prevents one from misguidance after having been guided to the Straight Path
(Surah al-An’am: 153)

(16) it is also a cause for receiving Allah’s Mercy and Grace both in this life and the Afterlife
(Surah al-A’raf: 156)

(17) it is also a cause for gaining Allah’s care and protection
(Surah al-Nahl: 6)
(Surah al-Baqarah: 194)

(18) the Good End will be for the People of Taqwa
(Surah Taha: 132)

(19) it is also a cause for receiving good tidings or news both in this world and the Hereafter.
(Surah Yunus: 63 - 64)

(20) it is also a cause for setting women (of Taqwa) apart from ordinary women
(Surah al-Ahzab: 32)

(21) it is also a cause for not behaving unjustly and unfairly with respect to the bequest
(Surah al-Baqarah: 180)

(22) it is also a cause for treating people in a position of weakness with fairness and justice
(Surah al-Baqarah: 241)

(23) it is also a cause for not forfeiting one’s reward both in this world and the Hereafter
(Surah Yusuf: 90)

(24) it is also a cause for receiving Divine Guidance
(Surah al-Baqarah: 1 – 2)

Benefits of Taqwa in the Afterlife:

(1) it is a cause for being honoured by Allah
(Surah al-Hujurat: 11)

(2) it is also a cause for Success and Felicity
(Surah al-Nur: 52)

(3) it is also a cause for Salvation on the Day of Judgment from Allah’s Punishment
(Surah Maryam: 71 - 72)
Surah al-Layl: 17)

(4) it is also a cause for one’s deeds being accepted
(Surah al-Maidah: 27)

(5) it is also a cause for inheriting Paradise
(Surah Maryam: 63)

(6) the People of Taqwa will have in Paradise Chambers upon Chambers
(Surah al-Zumar: 20)

(7) the People of Taqwa because of their Taqwa will be superior to and high above the unbelievers in everything
(Surah al-Baqarah: 212)

(8) it is a cause for entry into Paradise
(Surah Al-‘Imran: 133)
(Surah al-Maidah: 65)

(9) it is a cause for the obliteration and expiation of one’s sins
(Surah al-Talaq: 5)
(Surah al-Maidah: 65)

(10) it is a cause for obtaining in Jannah whatever one’s heart desires and one’s eye delights in
(Surah al-Nahl: 31)

(11) it is also a cause for eliminating fear and grief, and for preventing harm from coming to one on the Day of Judgment
(Surah al-Zumar: 61)
(Surah Yunus: 62 – 63)

(12) the People of Taqwa will be presented to Allah like a band presented before a king for honours
(Surah Maryam: 13)

(13) the Jannah (Paradise) will be brought in close proximity to them
(Surah al-Shu’ara’: 90)
(Surah Qaf: 21)

(14) it will be what makes the People of Taqwa different from the sinners, so that the two groups cannot be equated
(Surah Sad: 28)

(15) every friendship and companionship on the Day of Judgment will end up in and be doomed to animosity, hatred and hostility except the friendship and companionship based and founded on Taqwa
(Surah al-Zukhruf: 67)

(16) As to the People of Taqwa (they will be) in a position of Security, Among Gardens and Springs; Dressed in fine silk and in rich brocade, they will face each other; So; and We shall join them to Companions with beautiful, big, and lustrous eyes. There can they call for every kind of fruit in peace and security; Nor will they there taste Death, except the first death; and He will preserve them from the Penalty of the Blazing Fire,- As a Bounty from thy Lord! that will be the supreme achievement! (Surah al-Dukhan: 51 – 56)

(17) The People of Taqwa will be in an Assembly of Truth, in the Presence of a Sovereign Omnipotent (Surah al-Qamar: 54 – 55)

(18) it will also be cause for the flowing of rivers of different
(Here is) a Parable of the Garden which the People of Taqwa are promised: in it are rivers of water incorruptible; rivers of milk of which the taste never changes; rivers of wine, a joy to those who drink; and rivers of honey pure and clear. In it there are for them all kinds of fruits; and Grace from their Lord. (Surah Muhammad: 15)

(19) it is also a cause for traveling under the trees of Paradise enjoying the coolness of its shade

As to the People of Taqwa, they shall be amidst (cool) shades and springs (of water). And (they shall have) fruits,- all they desire. "Eat ye and drink ye to your heart's content: for that ye worked (Righteousness). Thus do We certainly reward the Doers of Good. (Surah al-Mursalat: 41 – 43)

(20) Behold! verily on the friends of Allah there is no fear, nor shall they grieve; Those who believe and (constantly) guard against evil (i.e. they have Taqwa);- For them are glad tidings, in the life of the present and in the Hereafter; no change can there be in the words of Allah. This is indeed the supreme felicity. Let not their speech grieve thee: for all power and honour belong to Allah. It is He Who heareth and knoweth (all things). (Surah Yunus: 62 – 65)

(21) the People of Taqwa will have Excellent Abode
(Surah al-Nahl: 30)

(22) the People of Taqwa will have their rewards multiplied for them
Surah al-Hadid: 28)

May Allah (Subhanahu WaTa'ala) makes us of the People of Taqwa who will reap its benefits both in this life and the Afterlife. Ameen!

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