Following on from a previous post, let’s look at the connection between taqwa (consciousness) and fear. Some people may have noticed that in some (frankly inaccurate) translations of the Quran, the word taqwa is translated as ‘fear’. So, instead of ‘be conscious’ of Allah. It’s ‘fear’ Allah. This is inaccurate as a translation, but there is a point to be made here.

Building your conscious power (taqwa) strengthens you internally. Doing this often requires you to release any irrational fears. Perhaps you’re afraid of your boss, or a family member. Being in a situation like this is extremely disempowering and can be damaging, depending on how bad you let your situation get. If you fear for your physical safety from these people, stop reading, and run!

If you are conscious of Allah, then you know you have nothing to fear. It’s easy to say this, but in practice in can be difficult to emotionally let go of fear, even if you rationally understand that you ‘should’ let go of the fear.

Why do you have nothing to fear when you have taqwa (are conscious)?

Because you realise how powerful you are. You realise that nothing can hurt you, unless you allow it to.

If you are a believer, you also realise that if you ‘fear’ anything or anyone, then in effect you are fearing the creation instead of the Creator. The Creator is the only one who can allow any harm to come to you, or protect you. One of the mechanisms the Creator uses to protect you is to endow you with free-will, and the potential to build your taqwa to the point that you can take care of yourself and those you love.

Remember this beautiful saying of the Prophet Muhammad:

“Be conscious of Allah and Allah will protect you. Be conscious of Allah and you will find Him in front of you. If you ask, then ask from Allah; and if you seek help, then seek help from Allah. And know that if the nation were to gather together to benefit you with anything, they would not benefit you except with what Allah had already prescribed for you. And if they were to gather together to harm you with anything, they would not harm you except with what Allah had already prescribed against you. The pens have been lifted and the pages have dried.”

A person of taqwa (consciousness) recognises that in the end, we do what we can, and leave the rest to Allah. What we can do is become more powerful by building our taqwa.

You cannot leave building your taqwa to Allah. Allah has left it to you.

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