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One of our brothers/sisters has asked this question:

Dear Scholar, As-salamualaikum,

during reading the meaning of Quran I face many times the word  Taqu ( Taqwa) and Khashiyet ( Khashiun) used the meaning given in most of translation is fear but this meaning many times during translation not fit logically.Kindly  advise me the root meaning of these words and how we can interpret it

thanks

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Answer:

What is taqwa and khushu from quran

In the name of Allah, We praise Him, seek His help and ask for His forgiveness. Whoever Allah guides none can misguide, and whoever He allows to fall astray, none can guide them aright. We bear witness that there is none worthy of worship but Allah Alone, and we bear witness that Muhammad (saws) is His slave-servant and the seal of His Messengers.

Question: What is ‘taqwa’?

Allah Says in the Holy Quran Chapter 3 Surah Ale-Imraan verse 102:

102 O ye who believe! ‘It-taku’ Allah as is its right, and die not except in a state of Islam.

Allah Says in the Holy Quran Chapter 4 Surah Nisaa verse 1 (part):

1 O mankind! ‘Itt-taku’ your Guardian-Lord Who created you.

Allah Says in the Holy Quran Chapter 39 Surah Zumar verse 10:

10 Say: "O ye my servants who believe! ‘It-taku’ your Lord: good is (the reward) for those who do good in this world. Spacious is Allah's earth! Those who patiently persevere will truly receive a reward without measure!"

Allah Says in the Holy Quran Chapter 59 Surah Hashr verse 18:

18 O ye who believe! ‘It-taku’ Allah, and let every soul look to what (provision) he has sent forth for the morrow. Yea ‘It-taku’ Allah: for Allah is well-acquainted with (all) that ye do.

To be extremely honest, there is just no term in the English language which has the capacity to do justice to the vast and comprehensive meaning of the Arabic and Quranic term of ‘taqwa’!

The Arabic and Quranic term ‘Taqwa’, because of the shallowness of the English language is translated as Piety, Righteousness, God-Consciousness, duty, or simply as the ‘Fear’ of Allah Subhanah; but the true meaning is much much more comprehensive than all these terms put together!

The state of constant consciousness of standing in the Presence of the Majestic and Supreme Lord One Inevitable Day is what Allah Subhanah calls ‘taqwa’ or piety in His Quran; and it is this state of ‘taqwa’ alone which has the capacity to inspire one towards the doing of deeds that would earn one the Eternal Pleasure and Good Will of their Lord, and it is this same state of ‘taqwa’ which alone has the capacity to inspire one to abstain from doing anything which would ignite or bring about the Unbearable Wrath and Anger of the Lord Most Majestic, Most Supreme.

Taqwa means to abstain from doing anything that would bring about the Wrath and Displeasure of the Lord All-Mighty; and to do deeds of righteousness which are commanded by Allah and His Messenger (saws). ‘Taqwa’ is to live every moment of ones life with the solemn belief that One Inevitable Day every soul will be brought forth in the Presence of the Majestic Lord to give a full accounting of every one of his deeds. ‘Taqwa’ is to determine before doing anything whether the Lord Most Merciful will be Pleased or Dis-pleased with the deed; if one determines that the Lord will be pleased with the deed, he must do it wholeheartedly; and if one determines that the deed would bring about the displeasure and Wrath of Allah Subhanah, he must immediately abstain from it. ‘Taqwa’ is to live every moment of one’s life consciously striving to do deeds which would earn him the Pleasure and Good Will of the Lord Most Merciful, and abstain from doing deeds which would bring about His displeasure and Wrath.

If one studies the Glorious Quran, one would realize that more often than not, wherever Allah Subhanah Promises His slaves the Eternal Gardens of Paradise, the manifestation of the term ‘taqwa’ is almost always associated with it!

Allah Says in the Holy Quran Chapter 3 Surah Ale Imraan verse 133:

133 Be quick in the race for forgiveness from your Lord and for a Garden whose width is that (of the whole) of the heavens and of the earth; prepared for the ‘Muttaqeen’.

Allah Says in the Holy Quran Chapter 50 Surah Qaaf verses 31-33:

31 And the Garden will be brought nigh to the ‘Muttaqeen’, no more a thing distant.

32 (A voice will say:) "This is what was promised for you, for everyone who turned (to Allah) in sincere repentance who kept (his law).

33 "Who feared (Allah) Most Gracious unseen and brought a heart turned in devotion (to Him):

Allah Says in the Holy Quran Chapter 52 Surah Tur verses 17-18:

17 As to the ‘Muttaqeen’ they will be in Gardens and in Happiness

18 Enjoying the (Bliss) which their Lord hath bestowed on them and their Lord shall deliver them from the Penalty of the Fire.

Allah Says in the Holy Quran Chapter 68 Surah Qalam verse 34:

34 Verily for the ‘Muttaqeen’ are Gardens of Delight in the Presence of their Lord.

Thus brother, depending on the context in which the term ‘taqwa’ or its derivative is used in the Glorious Quran, it could mean piety, and/or righteousness, and/or God-consciousness, and/or duty, or and/or fear, etc.…….or even a combination of all these meanings together!

Question: What is ‘Khushoo’?

Allah Says in the Holy Quran Chapter 23 Surah Muminoon verses 1-2:

1 The believers must (eventually) win through

2 Those who (practice) ‘khushoo’ (humility, sincerity) in their prayers

Allah Says in the Holy Quran Chapter 59 Surah Hashr verse 21:

21 Had We sent down this Qur'an on a mountain verily thou would have seen it ‘Khaa she-ann’ (humble) itself and cleave asunder for fear of Allah! Such are the similitudes which We propound to men that they may reflect.

Allah Says in the Holy Quran Chapter 20 Surah TaHa verse 108:

108 On that Day will they follow the Caller (straight): no crookedness (can they show) him: all sounds shall ‘Khasheatt’ (humble) themselves in the Presence of (Allah) Most Gracious: nothing shalt thou hear but the tramp of their feet (as they march)!

The English terms which would come closest to describe the Arabic term ‘Khushoo’ would be utmost sincerity and humility.

The Arabic and and Quranic term ‘Khushoo’ is the display or practice of one’s utmost sincerity and abject humility in the absolute awe, fear, and Majesty of the Lord Most Exalted Who Created.

Whatever written of Truth and benefit is only due to Allah’s Assistance and Guidance, and whatever of error is of me alone. Allah Alone Knows Best and He is the Only Source of Strength.

Your brother and well wisher in Islam,

Burhan