The Virtues of Taqwa
Ibn Al-Qayyim, may Allah be pleased with him, said:
التقوى ثلاث مَراتِب: إحداها: حمية القلب والجوارح عن الآثام والمُحرَّمات. الثانية: حميتها عن المكروهات. الثالثة: الحمية عن الفضول وما لا يَعنِي
“Taqwa has three levels. The first is to refrain the heart and limbs from sins and what is forbidden. The second is to refrain them from what is disliked. The third is to refrain them from nosiness and what does not concern one.
فالأولى تُعطِي العبدَ حَياتَه، والثانية تُفِيدُه صِحَّتَه وقُوَّتَه، والثالثة تُكسِبُه سُرورَه وفَرحَه وبَهجتَه.
The first one will grant life to the servant, the second will grant him health and strength, and the third will grant him happiness and joy.” (Al-Fawaid)
Ibn Hibban mentioned that Abdul-Aziz Ibn Suleiman wrote a poem in praise of the one who has taqwa, saying:
… إذا انتسب الناس كان التقي … بتقواه أفضل من ينتسب
When people attribute themselves to (their) lineage, The one who has the best lineage — is the one who has taqwa.
ومن يتقى اللَّه يكسب به … من الحظ أفضل ما يكتسب
The one who has taqwa of Allah — gains the best fortune that can be gained.
ومن يتخذ سببا للنجاة … فإن تقى اللَّه خير السبب …
Whoever wants to find a way to be saved — the taqwa of Allah is the best way.
(Rawdat Al-’Uqalaa by Ibn Hibban)