Visualizing Taqwa
Some of the companions explained the concept of taqwa as the following: “If you were to walk through a thorny patch wearing long clothing, how would you walk through that patch?’’ Someone answered that they would gather their clothes together and step over the thorns to avoid tearing their clothing; such is taqwa. This level of consciousness of Allah, knowing that He is watching us and having this awareness of Him in every moment is something that we should seek to instill in all aspects of our life.
There is a story about a teacher who preferred a student over the rest. The students would ask why and he would answer, “You’ll understand.” He did an experiment where he gave all of his students food and told them to go somewhere where no one could see them and eat it. They all went to different places and ate the treat, except for the one student. He was asked why he did not eat, and he answered, “You told us to go eat somewhere where we cannot be seen, and there is no where I can go where Allah will not see me. So, I didn’t eat.” The Sheikh told the students, “This is why I prefer him over the rest of you.” This awareness of Allah’s presence is an example of taqwa.
It may not be easy to build and deepen taqwa within ourselves, so we should actively call upon Allah (swt) for help. Imam Ash-Shafi said, “Three things are very difficult: to be generous when you have little, to be fearful of Allah when you are alone, and to say the truth in front of someone whom you fear or hope for their good opinion.” The Prophet (sas) used to make duaa saying, “Oh Allah, I ask of You to bestow upon me taqwa.” He also used to say, “I ask you that I fear You at times when I am seen and the times when I am not seen (by people).” We can learn from this sunnah of the Prophet (sas) to make duaa that Allah inspires us and blesses us with taqwa.
