The Best Gift: Taqwa

بسم الله والحمد لله والصلاة والسلام على رسول الله ، وبعد

Taqwa is: “the Fear of Allaah” by which one abstains from sins.

Taqwa is: that which generates “the Love of Allaah” by which one performs all that he has been commanded.

Taqwa is: “God-consciousness” by which one is in constant remembrance of Allaah and is mindful of Him تعالى in all his affairs.

The best provision is: “Taqwa”

The best advice one can give is: “Taqwa”

The best advice one receives is: “Taqwa”

The best thing one enjoins upon others is: “Taqwa”

The best gift one can give to his loved ones is: “Taqwa”

The thing by which people will enter Paradise the most is: “Taqwa”

﴿وَتَزَوَّدُوا فَإِنَّ خَيْرَ الزَّادِ التَّقْوَىٰ ۚ وَاتَّقُونِ يَا أُولِي الْأَلْبَابِ﴾

{And take a provision (with you) for the journey, but the best provision is al-Taqwa. So fear Me, O men of understanding!} [Surah al-Baqarah (2): 197]

The Messenger of Allaah صلى الله عليه وسلم was asked about the (deed) for which people are admitted into Paradise the most, so he صلى الله عليه وسلم said: “Taqwa of Allaah, and good manners.” And he صلى الله عليه وسلم was asked about that for which people are admitted into the Fire the most, and he said صلى الله عليه وسلم: “The mouth and the private parts.” [Sunan al-Tirmidhee (2004) and Sunan Ibn Maajah (4246) and graded as “Hasan” by Shaikh al-Albaanee]

•۩۞۩•

Questioner:

Advise me with something which will rectify for me my Deen and my worldly life.

Reply by Shaikh al-Islaam, Ibn Taymiyyah رحمه الله:

All praise is for Allaah, the Lord of the worlds. To proceed:

As for the advice, I do not know of any advice better than what Allaah تعالى and His Messenger صلى الله عليه وسلم enjoined upon those who understand it and follow it. Allaah تعالى said:

﴿وَلَقَدْ وَصَّيْنَا الَّذِينَ أُوتُوا الْكِتَابَ مِن قَبْلِكُمْ وَإِيَّاكُمْ أَنِ اتَّقُوا اللَّـهَ﴾

{And verily, We have recommended to the people of the Scripture before you, and to you (O Muslims) that you (all) fear Allaah} [Surah al-Nisaa’ (4): 131]

The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم advised Mu`aadh Ibn Jabal رضي الله عنه, when he sent him to Yemen saying: “Have Taqwa of Allaah wherever you are, and follow an evil deed with a good one which will wipe it out, and treat the people with good behavior.” [Sunan al-Tirmidhee (1987) and graded as “Saheeh” by Shaikh al-Albaanee. The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم gave this advice to Abu Dhar as well as Mu`aadh رضي الله عنهما]

Mu`aadh Ibn Jabal رضي الله عنه enjoyed a lofty status with the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم. The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said to Mu`aadh رضي الله عنه: “O Mu`aadh! By Allaah! I love you…” [Sunan Abu Dawood (1522) and graded as “Saheeh” by Shaikh al-Albaanee]

The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم also said about Mu`aadh رضي الله عنه: “…the most knowledgeable of my Ummah concerning the lawful and the unlawful is Mu`aadh bin Jabal.” [Sunan al-Tirmidhee (3790, 3791), Sunan Ibn Maajah (154), and graded as “Saheeh” by Shaikh al-Albaanee.]

From his merits is that the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم sent him to Yemen as a propagator on his behalf, as a Daa`ee (caller to Islaam), as a Mufaqqih (Jurist), as a Muftee (the one who is capable of giving Fatwa (religious verdicts)), as a Haakim (judge).

And even after this, the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم advised him with this instruction – because this is a Jaami` (comprehensive) advice.

[Majmoo` al-Fataawa (10/653-654)]