How the name of Allah الرقيب helps a person attain التقوي
In (4:1):
We should all be reading سورة النساء, it's concerning us.
Allah connected التقوى to His name الرب. He is the One who created us from a single soul - Adam عليه السلام. He is the One who provides for us, nurtures us, takes care of us. His right upon us is the greatest. And Allah created his wife, and from them He created many men and women. Allah tells us about our origin.
Then Allah commands us with التقوى again. He connects it to His name الله.
What will make you fear Allah? "إن الله كان عليكم رقيبا"
سورة النساء talks about the rulings pertaining to women, orphans, and the oppressed category of people. Allah began this سورة with the command of Taqwa. It's as if Allah is saying O men fear Allah with regards to your women, O women fear with regards to your husbands, fear Allah O believer and keep the relation between your kith and kin. Fear Allah in all your matters.
Allah reminds us that we are all created from a single person - Adam. This should make us show kindness and gentleness to one another in our relationships.
What is Taqwa?
التقوى is an act of worship and it's place is in the heart.
How can one practice Taqwa?
Trials are exposed to the heart throughout the day. We go through tests every moment in our lives. During these tests a dialogue happens between knowledge + faith and the Shaytan + desires.
Imagine a table in front of you, and the decree/trial/event that occurred on the middle of the table. Knowledge and faith sit on one side of the table while the Shaytan and your desires sit on the other.
As soon as this trial occurs a dispute happens between both sides. If knowledge and faith win and overcome the desires and the Shaytan then this person is a متقي in this state. If the Shaytan and the desires overcomes the knowledge and faith then you're in a state opposite to التقوى and you've failed.
This dialogue is something that happens in seconds inside you. You may be aware of it, or you may not.
E.g. You're in a gathering and you notice a person sitting there. In your heart you feel superior to that person in status. The two voices appear. Knowledge and faith tells you, "أستغفر الله, how could you feel that, maybe she's better than you with Allah, etc."
Your knowledge and faith overcomes your desires and the Shaytan. But if you don't reject these feelings it means you've failed the test, and you have an atom of pride in your heart. This is something very serious.
E.g. You see someone walking towards you and in your head you suspect why he's coming - it's to ask you for money. You think evil of him and don't push away this feeling and try to think good of him. Allah may send this person to tell you something completely different to what you thought of him, and you'll feel guilty for having ever thought evil. This is to show you you were wrong, you didn't practice Taqwa, and failed the test.
What is the attitude of the person who has Taqwa?
As soon as he goes through a trial he rejects and repels the bad thoughts and feelings with the knowledge he has. He reminds himself that Allah is watching his heart.
You might see a person completely normal on the outside but he's going through a lot of struggle and striving against himself on the inside. If you don't repel the bad thoughts you haven't practiced Taqwa.
Your rank in Paradise depends on how much you practice Taqwa in this life.
Allah promised in the Qur'an in (29:69):
If you strive hard Allah will guide you to what He loves and is pleased with. And Allah will accompany you with His knowledge, support, help.
You might fail the first time. Regret.
Second time. Regret.
Third time. Regret.
Fourth time - Better.
Fifth time - You're aware and perfect Taqwa.
Allah out of His mercy repeats the situation again and again to nurture and reform us. We may fail the first and second time, but then feel regret and remorse, strive harder, until we practice Taqwa as Allah wants us.
Allah prepared Jannah for the متقين. In (3:133):
This should push you to practice it.
The Prophet ﷺ said: “Temptations and trials will be presented to men’s hearts like the way a reed mat is woven, stick by stick. And any heart which is filled by them will have a black mark put into it. But any heart which rejects them will have a white mark put into it. The result will be that there are two types of hearts: one white like a white stone that will not be harmed by any turmoil and temptation so long as the heavens and earth endure; and the heart black and dust-colored like a vessel which is overturned, not recognizing what is good or rejecting what is evil but only being impregnated with passion.” [Muslim]
When a bad feeling enters your heart and you hate the fact that you're feeling it, it's a good sign. It means your heart is alive - unlike a heart which is black and unaware of the Halal and Haraam.
Abu Huraira reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “Verily, Allah does not look at your appearance or wealth, but rather He looks at your hearts and actions.” [Muslim]
You may say good words to someone outwardly yet there may be hatred in your heart toward her - Allah knows and is all aware of your intentions. He is الرقيب.
You may get a white spot in one trial, and a black through another. If you ask Allah to forgive you the black spot will be removed. You have to be aware.
We are in a continuous struggle until our death.
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