Principles of Islam
35. Piety
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35. PIETY
Taqwa means piety that is, leading a life of caution
and restraint in this world.
Umar Farooq, the second Caliph once asked a
companion of the Prophet what
taqwa
was.
He
replied, “O leader of the believers, have you ever
crossed a path which has thorny shrubs on both
sides?” But the companion instead of replying
asked another question, “What did you do on such
an occasion?” Umar Farooq replied, “I gathered my
clothes close to me and moved ahead cautiously.”
The companion said, “Now I know what is meant
by
taqwa.”
The present world is a testing ground. Here, various
kinds of thorns have been scattered for the purpose
of testing man, such as negativity, false issues rose
by non-serious people, the lure of worldly things.
Besides these, there are many unpleasant
occurrences, which disturb people’s minds and lead
them away from the path of virtue.
All these things are like thorny shrubs lining both
sides of the path of life. At any moment it is feared
