How to Be Among the Muttaqeen

Attaining the status of being among the Muttaqeen (the God-conscious) is one of the greatest aspirations a believer can have. The concept of taqwa is central to Islam, emphasizing mindfulness of Allah, adherence to His commands, and avoidance of His prohibitions. It is a comprehensive way of life that encompasses worship, character, and daily interactions. Allah describes the Muttaqeen as those who sincerely believe, act righteously, and uphold justice and humility.

The Qur’an states:

إِنَّ ٱلۡمُتَّقِينَ فِي جَنَّٰتٖ وَنَعِيمٍ
“Indeed, the righteous will be amid gardens and bliss.” (Surah At-Tur, 52:17)

The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ highlighted the essence of taqwa:

التَّقْوَى هَاهُنَا – وَأَشَارَ إِلَى صَدْرِهِ ثَلَاثَ مَرَّاتٍ
“Taqwa is here,” and he pointed to his chest three times. (Sahih Muslim 2564)

This introduction sets the stage to explore how to cultivate taqwa and live as one of the Muttaqeen. Through sincerity, worship, and righteous deeds, we can draw closer to Allah and attain the eternal rewards He has promised to the Muttaqeen.

Definition of Taqwa and Its Importance

Taqwa stems from the Arabic root word “و-ق-ي” (w-q-y), which means to shield or protect. In the Islamic context, taqwa signifies shielding oneself from Allah’s displeasure by fulfilling His commands and avoiding His prohibitions.

وَٱتَّقُواْ ٱللَّهَ وَيُعَلِّمُكُمُ ٱللَّهُۗ وَٱللَّهُ بِكُلِّ شَيۡءٍ عَلِيمٞ
“And fear Allah, and Allah teaches you. And Allah is Knowing of all things.” (Surah Al-Baqarah, 2:282)

The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ emphasized the significance of taqwa:

اتَّقِ اللَّهَ حَيْثُمَا كُنْتَ، وَأَتْبِعِ السَّيِّئَةَ الْحَسَنَةَ تَمْحُهَا، وَخَالِقِ النَّاسَ بِخُلُقٍ حَسَنٍ
“Fear Allah wherever you are, follow a bad deed with a good one to erase it, and behave well towards people.” (Jami` at-Tirmidhi 1987)

Why Is Taqwa Important?

• It is the foundation of righteousness and the core of all virtuous deeds.
• It serves as a shield against sins and temptations.
• Allah promises His mercy, guidance, and eternal rewards to the Muttaqeen.

Characteristics of the Muttaqeen

The Qur’an highlights several traits of the Muttaqeen:

Belief in the Unseen

The Muttaqeen firmly believe in Allah, His angels, books, messengers, the Day of Judgment, and divine decree.

ٱلَّذِينَ يُؤۡمِنُونَ بِٱلۡغَيۡبِ وَيُقِيمُونَ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ وَمِمَّا رَزَقۡنَٰهُمۡ يُنفِقُونَ
“Who believe in the unseen, establish prayer, and spend out of what We have provided for them.” (Surah Al-Baqarah, 2:3)

Fulfilling Obligations

The Muttaqeen prioritize their relationship with Allah through acts of worship such as prayer, fasting, and charity.

Avoiding Major Sins

They strive to stay away from actions that displease Allah, such as lying, backbiting, and arrogance.

وَٱلَّذِينَ يَجۡتَنِبُونَ كَبَٰٓئِرَ ٱلۡإِثۡمِ وَٱلۡفَوَٰحِشَ وَإِذَا مَا غَضِبُواْ هُمۡ يَغۡفِرُونَ
“And those who avoid the major sins and immoralities, and when they are angry, they forgive.” (Surah Ash-Shura, 42:37)

Excellence in Character

The Muttaqeen exhibit patience, humility, gratitude, and compassion.

Gratitude to Allah

Recognizing Allah’s blessings, they express gratitude in words and deeds.

وَإِذۡ تَأَذَّنَ رَبُّكُمۡ لَئِن شَكَرۡتُمۡ لَأَزِيدَنَّكُمۡۖ
“And [remember] when your Lord proclaimed, ‘If you are grateful, I will surely increase you [in favor].'” (Surah Ibrahim, 14:7)

Steps to Become Among the Muttaqeen

Strengthen Your Relationship with Allah

• Establish Salah (Prayer): Salah is the cornerstone of a believer’s relationship with Allah.

وَأَقِمِ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ طَرَفَيِ ٱلنَّهَارِ وَزُلَفٗا مِّنَ ٱلَّيۡلِۚ إِنَّ ٱلۡحَسَنَٰتِ يُذۡهِبۡنَ ٱلسَّيِّـَٔاتِ
“And establish prayer at the two ends of the day and at the approach of the night. Indeed, good deeds do away with misdeeds.” (Surah Hud, 11:114)

• Recite and Reflect on the Qur’an: The Qur’an is a guide for the Muttaqeen.

هُدٗى لِّلۡمُتَّقِينَ
“A guidance for the righteous.” (Surah Al-Baqarah, 2:2)

Adopt Sincerity (Ikhlas)

Sincerity in worship and deeds is essential for achieving taqwa.

قُلۡ إِنَّ صَلَاتِي وَنُسُكِي وَمَحۡيَايَ وَمَمَاتِي لِلَّهِ رَبِّ ٱلۡعَٰلَمِينَ
“Say, ‘Indeed, my prayer, my rites of sacrifice, my living and my dying are for Allah, Lord of the worlds.'” (Surah Al-An’am, 6:162)

Avoid Sins, Major and Minor

Guarding against sin is a key characteristic of the Muttaqeen.

The Prophet ﷺ said:
اتَّقُوا الدُّنْيَا وَاتَّقُوا النِّسَاءَ
“Be mindful of the world and be mindful of women.” (Sahih Muslim 2742)

Engage in Dhikr (Remembrance of Allah)

Constant remembrance of Allah purifies the heart and increases taqwa.

فَٱذۡكُرُونِيٓ أَذۡكُرۡكُمۡ وَٱشۡكُرُواْ لِي وَلَا تَكۡفُرُونِ
“So remember Me; I will remember you. And be grateful to Me and do not deny Me.” (Surah Al-Baqarah, 2:152)

Be Patient and Persevere

Patience in trials and perseverance in worship are signs of taqwa.

وَٱصۡبِرُوٓاْۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ مَعَ ٱلصَّـٰبِرِينَ
“And be patient. Indeed, Allah is with the patient.” (Surah Al-Anfal, 8:46)

Seek Knowledge and Act Upon It

Knowledge of the Qur’an and Sunnah equips the believer to live a life of taqwa.

The Prophet ﷺ said:
مَنْ يُرِدِ اللَّهُ بِهِ خَيْرًا يُفَقِّهْهُ فِي الدِّينِ
“When Allah wills good for a person, He grants them understanding of the religion.” (Sahih al-Bukhari 71)

Rewards for the Muttaqeen

• Guidance in This Life
  The Muttaqeen are blessed with divine guidance in every aspect of their lives.

يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوٓاْ إِن تَتَّقُواْ ٱللَّهَ يَجۡعَل لَّكُمۡ فُرۡقَانٗا
“O you who have believed, if you fear Allah, He will grant you a criterion.” (Surah Al-Anfal, 8:29)

• Ease in Affairs
  Allah facilitates ease for the Muttaqeen.

وَمَن يَتَّقِ ٱللَّهَ يَجۡعَل لَّهُۥ مِنۡ أَمۡرِهِۦ يُسۡرًا
“And whoever fears Allah – He will make for him ease in his matter.” (Surah At-Talaq, 65:4)

• Forgiveness and Jannah (Paradise)
  The ultimate reward for the Muttaqeen is eternal success in Jannah.

إِنَّ ٱلۡمُتَّقِينَ فِي جَنَّٰتٖ وَعُيُونٍ
“Indeed, the righteous will be among gardens and springs.” (Surah Al-Hijr, 15:45)

Conclusion: How to be among the Muttaqeen

Becoming one of the Muttaqeen is a noble aspiration and a journey that requires dedication, sincerity, and continuous self-reflection. It involves being mindful of Allah in every action, striving for righteousness, and seeking His pleasure in all aspects of life.

The rewards for this effort are immense, both in this world and the Hereafter. May Allah grant us the strength to purify our hearts, rectify our deeds, and be among the Muttaqeen.

وَٱتَّقُواْ ٱللَّهَ لَعَلَّكُمۡ تُفۡلِحُونَ
“And fear Allah that you may succeed.” (Surah Aal-E-Imran, 3:200)