Taqwa is a unique human quality that fosters righteousness in worldly actions. By cultivating righteousness, Taqwa enhances one’s character on a practical level, serving as a bridge between worldly ethics and spiritual principles. This distinctive quality transforms a believer (Momin) into a righteous person (Mutaqi). When humility is added to Taqwa, it further solidifies the believer’s character and elevates his personality.
Some scholars interpret Taqwa as “fear” and use this as a rationale for drawing closer to Allah. However, this interpretation is one-sided. Taqwa operates at a level of subtle, fine vibrations, while fear is rooted in coarser vibrations of emotions. These are fundamentally different states. While Taqwa is indeed essential for attaining closeness to Allah, its true meaning lies in righteousness and piety, not fear. Virtue, as embodied by Taqwa, cannot be imposed through fear. Fear is a secondary meaning of Taqwa, placed in the list near the end. It is relevant only in specific contexts. For instance:
In the early stages of a Muslim’s spiritual journey, where his faith is fragile and intertwined with fear and ego. Or when a Momin (believer) has weak faith and limited trust in Allah (Tawakul) in the early stages of his spiritual growth and fear arises from the possibility of incurring Allah’s displeasure after doing something wrong that annoys Him. Beyond these scenarios, equating Taqwa solely with fear distorts its essence and misguides its application.
The misinterpretation of Taqwa as fear has led to widespread misunderstanding, leaving many people confused and distanced from true Quranic message. The Quran clarifies that those who are righteous and do good should neither fear nor grieve: “And there will be no fear for them, nor will they grieve.” (Quran 2:112)
The Quran uses specific words for fear, such as ‘Khauf’, ‘Wajilat’, ‘Tawjal’, ‘Wajiluna’, and ‘Otaqi’ each distinct from Taqwa. For example: “Unquestionably, there will be no fear (Khauf) regarding the allies of Allah nor will they grieve.” (Quran 10:62) “The believers are only those who, when Allah is mentioned, their hearts become fearful (Wajilat), and when His verses are recited, it increases them in faith.” (Quran 8:2)
“[The angels] said, “Fear (Tawjal) not. Indeed, we give you good tidings of a learned boy.” (Quran 15:53) “When they entered upon him and said, “Peace.” [Abraham] said, Indeed, we are fearful (wajilūn) of you.” (Quran 15:52) “O Prophet, fear (otaqi) Allah and do not obey the disbelievers and the hypocrites. Indeed, Allah is ever Knowing and Wise.” (Quran 33:1)
By misunderstanding Taqwa as fear, translators disrupt the balance between a reader’s inner and outer perceptions, causing spiritual and practical misalignment. To restore a harmony, especially for non-Arabs, it is essential to convey the true meaning of Taqwa as righteousness and piety. Taqwa inspires humility (Khasha’a or Tadhara’a), which leads a believer toward worship (Ibadah). The Quran praises those who approach Allah with humility:
“Successful indeed are the believers, those who humble themselves (Khashiun) in their prayers.” (Quran 23:1-2) Or, “Call on your Lord with humility (Tadhrua) and in private, for Allah loves not those who transgress beyond bounds.” (Quran 7:55) The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) emphasized the value of humility: “Indeed, humility increases the dignity of one endowed with it. Be humble, and Allah will exalt you.” (Muslim) A person of Taqwa understands why humility, though not an attribute of Allah, is vital for human growth and He wants him to add it to his personality. While arrogance is an attribute of Allah, He does not wish for it to be part of human character.
This paradox can be resolved by explaining that humans, being inherently imperfect, require humility to build self-confidence—but only to the extent that it prevents arrogance or looking down on others. In contrast, Allah is perfect and complete in every aspect; He does not need self-confidence, which is why humility is not an attribute of His. Moreover, Allah’s divine arrogance is not about looking down on others, as He is above competition or comparison—a limitation that applies to humans. The Quran emphasizes this point: “And do not turn your face away from men with arrogance, nor walk with disrespect through the earth. Verily, God does not like arrogant boasters.” (31:18)
The prophet (PBUH) said, “Arrogance means rejecting the truth and looking down on people.” He (PBUH) condemned arrogant people by saying: “Most of those who go to hell are the arrogant.” In conclusion, Taqwa is not fear but piety, and when coupled with humility, it draws the believer closer to Allah. It teaches the believer to view his worldly actions as acts of worship, deepening his love for Allah and elevating his spiritual connection with Him.
—The writer is contributing columnist, based in Karachi.
(turi555@hotmail.com)
