Gems from Juzz ‘Amma: “For those who have Taqwa...”

Day 1 / Gem 1 - Surah Naba

“For those who have Taqwa...”

Many of us toil and work hard for success in this life. For some, success is acquiring lots of wealth, for others its building grand houses, and for many, success is measured by the amount they possess in this worldly life. In Surah Naba, Allah reminds us of the true, ultimate and never-ending success. He says:

إِنَّ لِلْمُتَّقِينَ مَفَازًا

"Verily, for the Muttaqun, there will be a success (Paradise)." [78:31]

In the context of these verses, Allah specifically mentions that this great success is exclusively for the people of Taqwa. Why did he not mention it is for the Mu’mineen (the believers)? Or the Muhsineen (those who strive for excellence)?

Because Taqwa generally means, ‘to take precautions out of result of fear.” Hence, those people who engage in Taqwa and who take measures to stay away from that which causes the displeasure of Allah, out of fear of His punishment, are those people who are truly worthy of مَفَازًا – this word could include three meanings (since it is a Masdhar or Dharf – for those who know Arabic grammar!):

1. They will have success
2. They will have a place of success
3. They will have an appointed time where they will enjoy that success

In other words, the people of Taqwa will have achieved the greatest success in every possible way. Allah says later in the surah, that this success is, جَزَاءً مِّن رَّبِّكَ عَطَاءً حِسَابًا - "A reward from your Lord without measure." Implying that this reward will be an eternal gift, an عَطَاءً, from your Lord, the One who nourishes, takes care, nurtures and provides for you limitlessely.

Gem: Ramdhan is a month gifted to us so we can work on this quality of Taqwa. Out of His Mercy, Allah is providing us the chance to build on our awareness of Him in our daily lives. He is making it easy. For He wants you and I to be worthy of this ultimate success. Yet, how many of us let this month go without grasping the opportunity to work on a quality, which, if embedded within our hearts, which if worked on, can guarantee our entry to Paradise? Can guaranteed that ultimate success?