The eminent Companion Abu Hurayrah gives three examples of sincere faith, illustrating how true iman involves being genuine in one’s obedience of Allah.
Abū Hurayrah on Taqwā
A man once asked Abū Hurayrah – Allāh be pleased with him, ‘What is al-taqwā?” He replied, “Have you ever taken a path filled with thorns?” The man replied, “I have.” Abū Hurayrah asked him, “What did you do?” He replied, “When I saw a thorn I would dodge it or pass over it or behind it.” Abū Hurayrah said, “That is al-taqwā.”
Al-Baihaqī, Al-Zuhd Al-Kabīr p351.
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Related sayings.
It is reported from Abī Qilābah that when Ibn ‘Abbās – Allāh be pleased with him – went out to the masjid, the neighbors knew that he had passed due the pleasant scent [of perfume] that came from him. It is reported that ‘Abdullāh [Ibn Masʿūd] used to use perfume that had musk in it. […]
Abul-Mutawakkil Al-Nājī reports: When Abū Hurayrah and his companions fasted, they would sit in the mosque and say, “let us purify our fast.” Hunād b. Al-Sarī, Kitāb Al-Zuhd, article 1207