What is Taqwa
Taqwa is an important concept in Islam that is mentioned frequently in the Quran and the Hadith. The Hadith are the sayings and actions of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), and they provide further insight into the concept of taqwa.
One Hadith that illustrates the concept of taqwa is the following:
"Have taqwa of Allah wherever you are, and follow up a bad deed with a good deed and it will wipe it out, and behave well towards people." (Tirmidhi)
This Hadith emphasizes the importance of taqwa in all aspects of one's life, and encourages Muslims to be mindful of Allah's presence wherever they are. It also highlights the importance of repentance and good deeds as a means of seeking forgiveness and erasing past mistakes. Additionally, the Hadith emphasizes the importance of treating others with kindness and respect, which is another key aspect of taqwa in Islam.
Another Hadith that emphasizes the importance of taqwa is the following:
"The best of you are those who have the most taqwa." (Bukhari)
This Hadith highlights the high status of taqwa in Islam and emphasizes that those who possess it are considered to be the best of believers. It encourages Muslims to strive to cultivate taqwa in their hearts and minds, and to make it a guiding principle in their lives.
What is iman
In Islam, Iman refers to faith or belief in Allah, His messengers, His holy books, the Day of Judgment, and predestination. The concept of Iman is central to Islamic theology and is often described as the foundation of Islam.
There are many Hadiths (narrations of the sayings and actions of Prophet Muhammad) that explain the importance of Iman in Islam. Here are a few examples:
"Iman has sixty-some or seventy-some branches. The most excellent branch of Iman is the saying of La ilaha illa Allah (There is no god but Allah), and the smallest branch is to remove something harmful from the road. And modesty is a branch of Iman." (Sahih Muslim)
"None of you truly believes until he loves for his brother what he loves for himself." (Sahih Al-Bukhari)
"Whoever says, 'None has the right to be worshipped but Allah, alone, without partner, to Him belongs all sovereignty and praise and He is over all things omnipotent', one hundred times will get the same reward as given for manumitting ten slaves; and one hundred good deeds will be written in his accounts, and one hundred sins will be deducted from his accounts, and it will be a shield for him from Satan on that day till night, and nobody will be able to do a better deed except the one who does more than he." (Sahih Al-Bukhari)
These Hadiths emphasize the importance of Iman and its various aspects, including love for others, good deeds, and the belief in the oneness of Allah. They encourage Muslims to strengthen their faith and live a righteous life, which is pleasing to Allah.
The deference between taqwa and iman
Taqwa and iman are two essential concepts in Islam that are closely related but have distinct meanings.
Iman, in Islam, is the belief in the oneness of Allah (God), the prophethood of Muhammad (peace be upon him), the holy books, the angels, the Day of Judgment, and predestination. It is the foundation of a Muslim's faith and is necessary for the practice of Islam.
Taqwa, on the other hand, is the consciousness of Allah (God) and the fear of displeasing Him. It is the awareness that Allah (God) is always watching over us, and we will be accountable for our actions. Taqwa is often translated as "piety" or "God-consciousness," and it involves the constant effort to avoid sins and do good deeds.
In other words, iman is the belief in the principles of Islam, while taqwa is the practice of those beliefs in one's daily life. While iman is the foundation of one's faith, taqwa is the manifestation of that faith in one's character and behavior.
Therefore, a person with a strong iman should strive to develop taqwa by being conscious of Allah (God) in all aspects of their lives and by consistently making an effort to avoid sins and do good deeds. Ultimately, the goal of Islam is to develop a strong iman that leads to a life of taqwa, righteousness, and closeness to Allah (God).