Islam in Diversity

Bismillah irrahman irrahim

Assalamu alaikum

IC Team wants to start a thread in which members can discuss basic concepts of islam through their understanding. Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala says in Quran al-Karim, 2:143] Thus We have appointed you a middle nation', alhamdulillah the best way is the balanced middle way. But through His Mercy we are allowed to follow the lineant or the strict way according to our own strength. So members are welcome to bringup any topic or concept and discuss it in a peacefull manner.

JazakumAllah Khair.

So I am going to start the thread inshaAllah with 'Taqwa'.

There is a saying of Sayyidina Muhammad sallallahu alaihe wassalam about wudu which says, 'save your heels from hellfire'. It is regarding making sure that enough care is taken in washing each part with enough water. But another hadith tells us that he sallallahu alaihe wassalam told a sahabi doing wudu not to be extravagant with water even though he was sitting by a stream.

So anybody who is using more water for making sure he has payed its due would have taqwa of Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala. Similarly anybody using little amount of water because of the second hadith would also be doing it because of taqwa.

So what is more important in Taqwa, the act or the intention?

wassalam

Assalamu alaikum,

Very nice topic Sister Fatima!  Nice to see you back Sister Abeer!

Anyway, I thought I would start by posting this for the benefit of those who are not so familiar with Arabic terms:

Word:	Taqwa
Meaning:	Taqwa is a concept in Islam that is interpreted by some Islamic Scholars as God consciousness. It has many further understandings and interpretations. Taqwa may mean piousness, fear of Allah, love for Allah, and self restraint.
True Form:	����
Grammar:	word;
Explanation:	Having Taqwa allows a person to be constantly aware of both God's presence and attributes and a reminder of their relationship and responsibility to God as His creation and servant. The scholars explain that the way to taqwa is through obedience of God, avoiding disobedience, and striving to stay away from doubtful matters.

This is from a site called islamic-dictionary.com, very useful to those just learning Arabic!

Anyway, back to taqwa and the subject at hand.  For myself, I do believe that the intention is everything.  I know I have read ahadith that address this issue (but don't have one handy at the moment!).  I have read that even if we do not carry out a deed, just having the intention to do so is rewarded by our Merciful Allah.

Sometimes I think Muslims get all wrapped up in worrying over rituals and traditions and forget the basis of it all, which is taqwa!  To be Allah conscious at all times moves one to have the best intentions, which in turn keeps us mindful of doing rituals correctly.

So, it is a matter of taqwa first and all else will fall into place as it should!

Peace, ummziba.

Bismillah irrahman irrahim

Wa'alaikum assalam wa rahmatullahe wa barakatuhu

My next topic is 'Patience' Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala has told us to be patient in conditions because the end is for the one who shows patience. What in your view is praiseworthy patience and what would be blameworthy?

Wassalam