Taqwā

People will remain upon good as long as they vary (some are more knowledgeable, righteous etc); when they become equal, that is when they are destroyed.

Al-Bayhaqī, Shuʿab Al-Īmān #8664 (Al-Rushd ed.).

Fulfil what Allāh has obligated you to do and you will be from the most devout of people, stay away from what Allāh has forbidden you and you will be from the most careful of people, and be satisfied with what Allāh has apportioned for you and you will be from the richest of people.

Hannād b. Al-Sarī, Al-Zuhd, article 1032.

The seeking of knowledge cannot truly be achieved except with four things: time (al-farāgh, being free to study), sufficient wealth (al-māl, to avoid preoccupation with seeking a living), preservation (al-ḥifẓ, memorization) and piety (al-waraʿ, religious cautiousness).

Al-Bayhaqī, Shuʿab Al-Īmān 3:243, article 1602.

A man might have ten qualities, nine of them good and one bad, but the nine good ones can be spoiled by the one bad quality. Beware of the slips and faults of youth.

ʿAbd Al-Razzāq Al-Ṣanʿānī, Al-Muṣannaf 8240.

Knowledge is only learned to [apply it and] put into practice the Taqwā of Allāh the mighty and sublime.

Abū Bakr Al-Daynūrī, Al-Mujālasah wa Jawāhir Al-ʿIlm article 943.

O people! Fear Allāh and obey Him, for piety is a valuable prize. Verily the most intelligent person is he who takes account of himself and works for what comes after death, and acquires through the light (guidance) of Allāh a light for the darkness of the grave. The servant of Allāh should fear lest Allāh the Mighty and Sublime resurrects him blind though he used to see. A few comprehensive words can be enough for a wise man, whereas the deaf (who does not listen to guidance) is being called from afar. And know that whoever Allāh the Mighty and Sublime is with has nothing to fear; but whoever Allāh the Mighty and Sublime is against, then in whom can he hope after Allāh?!

Abū Bakr Al-Daynūrī, Al-Mujālasah wa Jawāhir Al-ʿIlm 4:116,117.

It is reported that Imām Al-Shāfʿee – Allāh have mercy on him – said, The loftiest in status are those who do not know their own status, and the most virtuous of them are those who do not know their own virtue.

Al-Dhahabī, Siyar ʾAʿlām Al-Nubalāʾ 10:99

‘Umar b. Al-Khattāb once entered upon Abū Bakr – Allāh be pleased with them both – and found him pulling at his tongue. He said, “Oh, what are you doing?” Abū Bakr replied, “It is this (i.e my speech) that has brought me so much trouble.”

Mālik, Al-Muatta 2:988

Al-Dhahabī, Siyar A’lām Al-Nubalā` 1:18.

Ibn ʿAbd Al-Barr, Jāmiʿ Bayān Al-ʿIlm wa Faḍlihī article 1239.

As soon as he said Takbīr, I heard him say, “The dog has killed or eaten me,” when the murderer stabbed him. A non-Arab infidel came carrying a double-edged knife and stabbed everyone he passed by on the right and left, stabbing thirteen people out of whom seven died. When one of the Muslims saw that, he threw a cloak on him. Realizing that he had been captured, the non-Arab infidel killed himself. ‘Umar took the hand of ‘Abdur-Raḥmān b. ‘Auf and let him lead the prayer. Those who were standing by the side of ‘Umar saw what I saw, but the people who were in the other parts of the Mosque did not see anything, but they lost the voice of ‘Umar and they were saying, “Subḥān Allāh! Subḥān Allāh!” ‘Abdur-Raḥmān b. ‘Auf led the people a short prayer. When they finished the prayer, ‘Umar said, “O Ibn ‘Abbās! Find out who attacked me.” Ibn ‘Abbās kept on looking here and there for a short time and then came back and said, “The slave of Al-Mughīrah.” At that, ‘Umar said, “The craftsman?” Ibn ‘Abbās replied, “Yes.” ‘Umar said, “May Allah destroy him. I only treated him well. All praises are for Allāh who has not caused me to die at the hand of a man who claims to be a Muslim. No doubt, you and your father (Al-Abbās) used to love to have more non-Arab infidels in Al-Madīnah.” Al-Abbas had the greatest number of slaves. Ibn ‘Abbās said to ‘Umar. “If you wish, we will do it.” He meant, “If you wish we will kill them.” ‘Umar said, “You are mistaken (for you cannot kill them) after they have spoken your language, prayed towards your Qiblah, and performed Hajj like yours.” Points to note Continued inshā Allāh.

Continued inshā Allāh.

Al-Baihaqī, Al-Zuhd Al-Kabīr p351.

O you who believe! Protect yourselves and your families against a Fire (Hell) whose fuel is men and stones, over which are (appointed) angels, stern and severe, and who disobey not the commands they receive from Allāh, but do that which they are commanded. [66:6] · ‘Alī b. Abī Ṭālib – Allah be pleased with him: Discipline them, teach them. · Ibn ‘Abbās – Allah be pleased with them: Stay obedient to Allāh, stay away from disobeying Allāh and command your families to remember Allāh, and He will save you from the Fire. · Mujāhid – Allāh have mercy on him: Fear Allāh and obey him (practice taqwā) and tell your families to practice taqwā. · Qatādah – Allāh have mercy on him: A person protects his family by telling them to obey Allāh and forbidding them from disobeying Him. He upholds Allāh’s commandments and helps his family to uphold them. So if you see some disobedience of Allāh you stop them from doing it, and you reprimand them. Al-Ṭabarī, Al-Tafsīr, Sūrah Al-Taḥrīm.

Al-Ṭabarī, Al-Tafsīr, Sūrah Al-Taḥrīm.

A person cannot be a taqīy (pious man of taqwā) until he takes account of himself like he would with his business partner; and until he knows where he gets his clothing and food and drink. Wakī’ b. Al-Jarrāh, Al-Zuhd Vol.1 p270. Maymūn b. Mahrān was a great scholar amongst the Successors. He narrated hadīth from Abū Hurayrah, ‘Ā`ishah and Ibn ʿUmar – amongst others. He died in 116 or 117H, Allah have mercy on him.

Maymūn b. Mahrān was a great scholar amongst the Successors. He narrated hadīth from Abū Hurayrah, ‘Ā`ishah and Ibn ʿUmar – amongst others. He died in 116 or 117H, Allah have mercy on him.