Taqwa in Ramadan: How Fasting Purifies the Heart and Leads to True Success

Taqwa in Ramadan: How Fasting Purifies the Heart and Leads to True Success

Allah, the Most Blessed and Exalted, the Most Merciful and Compassionate, has enjoined His servants with taqwa, a command through which they attain true happiness in this world and on the Day when all witnesses will stand before Him. Through taqwa, a servant earns the pleasure of Allah, attains success in the Abode of Honor, and is granted protection from His punishment and Fire. This divine command is not limited to one nation or generation; rather, it is Allah’s universal instruction to all of humanity.

Allah تعالى says:

{ وَلَقَدْ وَصَّيْنَا الَّذِينَ أُوتُوا الْكِتَابَ مِنْ قَبْلِكُمْ وَإِيَّاكُمْ أَنِ اتَّقُوا اللَّهَ } [النساء:131] 

“And We have certainly instructed those who were given the Scripture before you and yourselves to fear Allah.” (Surah An-Nisa: 131)

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Why Fasting Was Prescribed

Among the greatest acts of worship legislated to cultivate taqwa is the fasting of the blessed month of Ramadan. Allah سبحانه says:

 { يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا كُتِبَ عَلَيْكُمُ الصِّيَامُ كَمَا كُتِبَ عَلَى الَّذِينَ مِنْ قَبْلِكُمْ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَتَّقُونَ}

“O you who believe, fasting has been prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you, so that you may attain taqwa.” (Surah Al-Baqarah: 183)

Fasting is a direct path to taqwa because it subdues the ego, restrains desires, and disciplines the soul. The purpose behind fasting is not hunger or thirst, but the purification of the heart and the strengthening of God-consciousness. Ramadan was legislated precisely for this reason, and few acts of worship are as powerful in achieving taqwa as fasting.

Ibn al-Qayyim رحمه الله beautifully explains that fasting has a profound effect on protecting both the outer limbs and the inner faculties. It prevents spiritual corruption, removes harmful influences, restores the heart from the damage caused by unchecked desires, and preserves the soul’s spiritual health. In this way, fasting becomes one of the strongest aids in attaining taqwa.

How Fasting Develops Taqwa

Shaykh ʿAbd al-Rahman ibn Saʿdi رحمه الله explains that fasting instills taqwa in several ways:

• The fasting person refrains from food, drink, and lawful desires purely for Allah’s sake, hoping for His reward. This conscious sacrifice is itself an act of taqwa.
• Fasting trains the believer to مراقبة الله (awareness that Allah is watching), as one leaves what the soul desires despite having the ability to fulfill it.
• It weakens the influence of Shaytan, who flows through the human being like blood; by fasting, his pathways are constricted and sins decrease.
• Acts of obedience increase during fasting, and obedience is a defining feature of taqwa.
• Hunger softens the heart of the wealthy, leading to empathy and compassion for the poor, which is also from taqwa.

The Meaning and Reality of Taqwa

Taqwa means to place a shield between oneself and Allah’s displeasure. It is achieved by obeying His commands and avoiding His prohibitions. True taqwa is not a mere claim or outward appearance, but a state of obedience rooted in the heart.

Allah sometimes commands His servants to fear Him directly, for all goodness comes from Him alone. At other times, He commands them to fear the Fire, which awaits those who abandon taqwa and follow their desires:

{ فَاتَّقُوا النَّارَ الَّتِي وَقُودُهَا النَّاسُ وَالْحِجَارَةُ } [البقرة:24] 

“So fear the Fire whose fuel is people and stones.”
(Surah Al-Baqarah: 24)

And He commands fear of the Day of Resurrection:

{ وَاتَّقُوا يَوْمًا تُرْجَعُونَ فِيهِ إِلَى اللَّهِ ثُمَّ تُوَفَّى كُلُّ نَفْسٍ مَا كَسَبَتْ وَهُمْ لَا يُظْلَمُونَ } [البقرة:281]

“And fear a Day when you will be returned to Allah, then every soul will be fully compensated for what it earned.”
(Surah Al-Baqarah: 281)

The Emphasis of the Prophet ﷺ on Taqwa

The Messenger of Allah ﷺ constantly advised his Companions to fear Allah. Whenever he appointed a leader, he would privately counsel him to have taqwa and to treat those under his care with kindness. During the Farewell Pilgrimage, he emphasized taqwa repeatedly, highlighting its central role in a believer’s life.

How the Salaf Understood Taqwa

The righteous predecessors deeply reflected on taqwa and lived by it:

• Ibn ʿAbbas رضي الله عنهما described the righteous as those who fear Allah’s punishment while hoping for His mercy.
• Al-Hasan al-Basri رحمه الله said that the righteous are those who avoid what Allah has forbidden and fulfill what He has obligated.
• ʿUmar ibn ʿAbd al-ʿAziz رحمه الله clarified that taqwa is not excessive worship mixed with disobedience, but obedience through fulfilling obligations and abandoning sins.
• Ibn Masʿud رضي الله عنه defined true taqwa as obeying Allah without disobedience, remembering Him without forgetfulness, and thanking Him without ingratitude.
• Ṭalq ibn Habib summarized taqwa as acting upon Allah’s commands with knowledge and hope, and avoiding sins with knowledge and fear.

Taqwa Resides in the Heart

The Prophet ﷺ clearly stated:

: ((التَّقْوَى هَاهُنَا وَيُشِيرُ إِلَى صَدْرِهِ ثَلَاثَ مَرَّاتٍ ))(3) 

“Taqwa is here,”
and he pointed to his chest three times.

This reminds us that the true measure of taqwa is internal. Allah does not look at appearances, wealth, or status, but at hearts and deeds. Many who appear successful outwardly may be empty of taqwa, while others with little worldly possession may be immensely honored by Allah due to the purity of their hearts.

The Fruits of Taqwa in This World

Among the blessings of taqwa in worldly life are:

Beneficial knowledge and spiritual insight
وَاتَّقُوا اللَّهَ وَيُعَلِّمُكُمُ اللَّهُ
“And fear Allah, and Allah will teach you.” (Al-Baqarah: 282)

Relief from hardships and provision from unexpected sources
وَمَن يَتَّقِ اللَّهَ يَجْعَل لَّهُ مَخْرَجًا
وَيَرْزُقْهُ مِنْ حَيْثُ لَا يَحْتَسِبُ
“And whoever fears Allah—He will make for him a way out and provide for him from where he does not expect.” (At-Talaq: 2–3)

The love of Allah, His companionship, forgiveness, and true success
إِنَّ اللَّهَ يُحِبُّ الْمُتَّقِينَ
“Indeed, Allah loves the righteous.” (At-Tawbah: 4)

وَاعْلَمُوا أَنَّ اللَّهَ مَعَ الْمُتَّقِينَ
“And know that Allah is with the righteous.” (At-Tawbah: 194)

وَاتَّقُوا اللَّهَ إِنَّ اللَّهَ غَفُورٌ رَحِيمٌ
“And fear Allah; indeed, Allah is Forgiving, Merciful.” (Al-Anfal: 69)

وَاتَّقُوا اللَّهَ لَعَلَّكُمْ تُفْلِحُونَ
“And fear Allah so that you may be successful.” (Al-Baqarah: 189)

The Fruits of Taqwa in the Hereafter

In the Hereafter, taqwa leads to:

Entry into the Gardens of Bliss
إِنَّ لِلْمُتَّقِينَ عِنْدَ رَبِّهِمْ جَنَّاتِ النَّعِيمِ
“Indeed, for the righteous are Gardens of Bliss with their Lord.” (Al-Qalam: 34)

Elevation in rank and a praiseworthy end
وَالَّذِينَ اتَّقَوْا فَوْقَهُمْ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ
“And those who fear Allah will be above them on the Day of Resurrection.” (Al-Baqarah: 212)

وَالْعَاقِبَةُ لِلْمُتَّقِينَ
“And the final outcome is for the righteous.” (Al-Aʿrāf: 128)

The ultimate honor of meeting Allah and being close to Him
إِنَّ الْمُتَّقِينَ فِي جَنَّاتٍ وَنَهَرٍ
فِي مَقْعَدِ صِدْقٍ عِنْدَ مَلِيكٍ مُقْتَدِرٍ
“Indeed, the righteous will be in gardens and rivers, in a seat of truth near a Sovereign, Perfect in Ability.” (Al-Qamar: 54–55)

A Supplication

We ask Allah, the Most Generous, the Lord of the Mighty Throne, in this noble month and blessed season, to adorn our hearts with taqwa, to make it our provision in this world, and to grant us success on the Day we meet Him.

Reference

1. Zād al-Maʿād in the Guidance of the Best of Servants
   (Chapter: In the Prophet’s ﷺ Guidance Regarding Fasting, p. 201)
2. Ibn Rajab (may Allah have mercy on him) recorded these sayings of the righteous predecessors
   (in Jāmiʿ al-ʿUlūm wa al-Ḥikam, Hadith No. 18, p. 296–297)
3. Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim (Hadith No. 2564)
4. Both narrations were recorded by Muslim (Hadith No. 2564)
5. Jāmiʿ al-ʿUlūm wa al-Ḥikam by Ibn Rajab
   (Hadith No. 35, p. 626)
6. Translated from Arabic , Albadr.net