Taqwa (تقوى), often translated as “God-consciousness” or “piety,” requires a deliberate, ongoing effort to align every aspect of one’s life with the commands of Allah. Here are practical steps to grow Taqwa:

Increase Your Knowledge of Allah

Exercise: Study the Qur’an and other trusted Islamic literature. Learn Allah’s attributes and how He is merciful, wise, and just.

Qur’anic Reminder: Arabic:  “يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا اتَّقُوا اللَّهَ حَقَّ تُقَاتِهِ“

English Translation: “O you who have believed, fear Allah as He should be feared.” (Quran 3:102)

Establish Regular Worship and Dhikr

Practice: Be punctual in your Salah, and engage in daily Dhikr and supplications.

Qur’anic Reminder: Arabic: “الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَتَطْمَئِنُّ قُلُوبُهُم بِذِكْرِ اللَّهِ“

English Translation: “Who believe, and whose hearts find rest in the remembrance of Allah.” (Quran 13:28)

Practice Self-Accountability (Muhasabah)

• Exercise: Monitor what you do and why. Keep a Journal or Reflect in Silence. Find out where you need to improve and get closer to Allah.
• Prophetic Guidance: “‘Umar said: Let each of you bring himself to account before he is brought to account.” The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ reminded us that self-accountability is essential in nourishing Taqwa.

Surround Yourself With Righteous Company

Practice: Seek friends, mentors, and community members who inspire piety and good character. The Prophet (ﷺ) said: The best of you are they who learn the Qur’an and teach it, which means that you should strengthen your relations with piety and support one another in the field of piety.

Seek Forgiveness and Repent Sincerely

Practice: Admit your faults, seek Allah’s forgiveness often, and pray to improve yourself.

Qur’anic Promise: Arabic: > “قُلْ يَا عِبَادِيَ الَّذِينَ أَسْرَفُوا عَلَىٰ أَنْفُسِهِمْ لَا تَقْنَطُوا مِنْ رَحْمَةِ اللَّهِ“

English Translation: “Say, ‘O My servants who have transgressed against themselves, do not despair of the mercy of Allah…'” (Quran 39:53)

2. Examples of Taqwa from the Lives of Prophets and Companions

Learning from the inspiring lives of the Prophets and the Companions gives practical, real-life examples of Taqwa.

The Prophets

Prophet Ibrahim: His consistent obedience and willingness to sacrifice something so dear to him, his only son, testify to the highest trust and fear for Allah.

Prophet Muhammad ﷺ: Taqwa in Practice His overall conduct, mercy for his people, and remembrance of Allah’s (swt) name could be summed up as Taqwa in practice. His saying, “Taqwa is here,” and he pointed to his chest, emphasizes that true piety is of the heart.

• The Companions

1. Abu Bakr (رضي الله عنه): Known for his sincerity and humility, he exemplified Taqwa by living a simple life, constantly consulting Allah in his decisions.
2. Umar ibn Al-Khattab (رضي الله عنه): His robust sense of justice and dedication to self-accountability (“Muhasabah”) are hallmarks of a man deeply in fear of Allah.
3. Ali ibn Abi Talib (رضي الله عنه): Renowned for his wisdom and courage, Ali’s life was a constant pursuit of truth and adherence to the principles of Taqwa.

3. Importance of Taqwa in the Qur’an and Hadiths

Taqwa is emphasized repeatedly in the Qur’an and the Hadith, serving as the spiritual foundation for a believer’s life.

• Qur’anic Emphasis

Arabic:  “إِنَّ أَكْرَمَكُمْ عِنْدَ اللَّهِ أَتْقَاكُمْ”

English: “Indeed, the most noble of you in the sight of Allah is the most righteous (muttaqi) of you.” (Quran 49:13)

This verse underlines that the accurate measure of honour is not wealth or lineage but the level of one’s Taqwa.

• Hadith Emphasis

The Prophet ﷺ also said, “Taqwa is here,” and gestured to his chest (Sahih Muslim), emphasizing that Taqwa is in the heart. Another hadith mentions that the best people are those whose deeds are full of Taqwa, pure intention, and continuous remembrance of Allah.

4. Taqwa in the Light of Qur’anic Verses and Hadith

When viewed together, the Qur’an and Hadith present a unified framework for Taqwa:

From the Qur’an: The verse, Arabic: > “وَمَن يَتَّقِ اللَّهَ يُجْبِرْ لَهُ شَرْعًا” (Paraphrasing the spirit of verses such as Quran 65:23) English (paraphrased): > “Whoever fears Allah, He will provide him with an escape from every difficulty.”

This illustrates that Taqwa is both a shield and a means for divine facilitation.

From the Hadith: Statements such as “Fear Allah wherever you are…” remind us that Taqwa should become a part of every second of our lives, not only our ritual acts of worship but also every interaction and decision.

Together, these sources forcefully articulate that Taqwa is not merely a set of rituals but a comprehensive way of life that continuously realigns our priorities toward Allah’s pleasure.

5. Taqwa in the Light of Hadith or Prophetic Narrations ﷺ

The prophetic hadiths provide vivid depictions of Taqwa and practical advice on how to develop it:

• Inner Taqwa: The Prophet ﷺ said, Taqwa is here,” and he pointed to his chest, indicating that the reality of Taqwa is in the heart.
• Practical reminders: Stories of the past remind believers to remember, “be in this world as if you are a stranger or a traveller, ” reminding readers to reflect and detach themselves from worldly possessions consistently.
• Lived Example: The companions’ real-life experiences—including their daily habits of accountability and continuous Dhikr—provide existing models for inculcating Taqwa.

These hadiths are both an ethical compass and a call to action, challenging every believer to increase their own moral power by remembering God and acknowledging God’s moral priorities in Muslim daily life.

FAQs on Taqwa

Q1: What is the lowest level of Taqwa?

A: It is the initial stage where a person is only occasionally mindful of Allah, taking small steps toward obeying His commands.

Q2: What is the highest level of Taqwa?

A: It is the state in which every thought and action is fully saturated with constant awareness of Allah, embodying complete surrender to His will.

Q3: How can one increase Taqwa?

A: By consistently engaging in worship, studying the Qur’an, practising regular Dhikr, and performing sincere self-reflection.

Q4: How does regular Dhikr enhance Taqwa?

A: Dhikr roots your heart in the remembrance of Allah, transforming daily moments into constant opportunities for spiritual mindfulness.

Q5: Why is self-reflection critical for Taqwa?

A: Reflecting on your deeds nurtures personal growth, helping you identify areas of improvement while reinforcing your commitment to Allah.

Q6: Can taqwa grow over time?

A: Yes, with persistent effort, sincere repentance, and ongoing pursuit of divine knowledge, Taqwa deepens and strengthens over time.

Final Words

Taqwa is a lifelong struggle transcending an everyday act of worship; it is a holistic way of life where every act now reflects a purposeful commitment to the faith. By knowing Allah, worshipping Him, reflecting upon themselves, and learning from the lives of the Prophets and their companions, a person can develop a high level of Taqwa.

At TaqwaTours, we know that this journey is spiritual inside and outside, and so we work hard to help create genuine faith-based travel opportunities that encourage and reflect the path of Taqwa. This “road” is guaranteed (to victory) in this world and the life to come.

Let us pray that by striving to grow in Taqwa, we will become closer to achieving Allah’s pleasure.