Ramadan is literally a time for ‘binge worship’. Binge means ‘A period of excessive indulgence in an activity’. We’ve all heard about binge eating, binge gaming, and binge watching. All are harmful and only lead to more dissatisfaction and guilt later. But binge worship is an amazing concept that generates Taqwa.
It’s like stocking up in 30 days of Ramadan the spiritual strength for the next 11 months. It’s an opportunity to discover our potential and to reach it.
- Azkaar give life to our dead heart.
- Duas make a divine connection between Allah (swt) and us.
- Fard prayer disciplines us to make intelligent choices in life.
- The Sunnah enables us to tread the magnificent footsteps of the Prophet (sa), the Saviour of humankind.
- Taraweeh and Nawafil unite us as an Ummah.
- The fasts humble us and grant Taqwa, the essential and mandatory ingredient for our Iman.
What is Taqwa, after all? Simply put, it means to ‘do what Allah (swt) commanded and not do what He forbade.’ The right of Taqwa is to:
- Obey Allah (swt) and not disobey Him.
- Remember Allah (swt) always and never forget Him.
- Offer thanks to Him and not be ungrateful to Him.
Allah (swt) addresses the believers in the Quran: “O you who have believed, fear Allah as He should be feared and do not die except as Muslims [in submission to Him].” (Al Imran 3:102)
The journey of our Iman begins with acquiring Divine knowledge through the Quran and the Sunnah. It ends at the road of Taqwa – mindfulness of Allah (swt). It is important to note that no action is accepted by Allah (swt) without the condition of Taqwa.
Here are the top six reasons to build Taqwa:
- You become a friend of Allah (swt). What an honour? Who wouldn’t want to become ‘Awliya Allah’ friend of Allah (swt)? The Quran confirms: “Those who believed and were fearing Allah, for them are good tidings in the worldly life and in the hereafter. No change is there in the words [i.e. decree] of Allah. That is what is the great attainment.” (Yunus 10:63-64)
- You are honoured. Once, the Prophet (sa) was asked who is the most honourable among men. He responded: The one with Taqwa. Allah (swt) states the same in the following verse: “O humankind indeed, we have created you from male and female and made you peoples and tribes that you may know one another. Indeed the most noble of you in the sight of Allah is the most righteous of you. Indeed, Allah is Knowing and Aware.” (Al-Hujurat 49:13)
- You are loved by Allah (swt). This has been mentioned multiple times as an assurance to the believers. Maybe it is because one fears losing his allies, loved ones or associates when he takes a principled stand against evil or oppression. Allah (swt) ensures in the Quran: “… Indeed, Allah loves the righteous [who fear Him].” (At Taubah 9:4)
- You are granted ease and Rizq – Taqwa is a much-appreciated quality. It is hard to develop but reaps excellent facilitation from Allah (swt) in Dunya, where it is easy to be intimidated by others and fall for sins. Hence Allah (swt) promises our two necessities of life solutions and sustenance. “… and whoever fears Allah – He will make for him a way out and will provide for him from where he does not expect …” (At-Talaq 65:2-3)
- You are aided significantly. Allah’s (swt) Divine help for a Muttaqi is special indeed. He doesn’t allow him to deviate. If he still falls into sins, Allah (swt) guides Him out of the darkness to His forgiveness and get back on track again. Allah (swt) promises: “Indeed, Allah is with those who fear Him and those who are doers of good.” (An-Nahl 16:128)
- You will be granted Nur. This is a promise to those who practice Taqwa. They will be awarded a double reward which is light in the world and the hereafter. In Dunya, this light (Nur) will guide them to make the right decisions in life. In Akhirah, when it is pitch dark, this light will help the believers cross the Pul Siraat and reach Jannah. Allah (swt) states in the Quran: “O you who have believed, fear Allah and believe in His messenger. He will (then) give you a double portion of His mercy and make for you a light by which you will walk and forgive you and Allah is Forgiving and Merciful.” (Al-Hadeed 57:28)
Dua to Acquire Taqwa
اللَّهُمَّ آتِ نَفْسِي تَقْوَاهَا وَزَكِّهَا أَنْتَ خَيْرُ مَنْ زَكَّاهَا أَنْتَ وَلِيُّهَا وَمَوْلاَهَا
O God, bring my soul to fear of You and purify it; You are the best of those who purify it; You are its Patron and Master. (Muslim)
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