In the Name of Allah, The Compassionate, The Merciful.

Taqwa is the best investment a believer can make for himself and for his children after him. It is the best provision a Muslim can carry if he wants to reach Allah's Pleasure. The Quran calls towards this:

'And make provisions for yourselves, for the best provision is Taqwa. So fear Me O people of understanding! '

My dear brother in Islam, Taqwa is an abundant treasure, a precious trait, an honourable substance, a great success and it assembles the best of both worlds. See how many virtues are attached to it and remember how many promises and fortunes Allah has made in return for it. Perhaps the verses: 'Allah is the friend of those who have Taqwa.' and: 'Allah loves those who have Taqwa' are more than adequate to show this reality.

So those who have taqwa are the friends of Allah. Allah has promised them success at the time of death and deliverance from Hell on the Day of Judgement. They will abide forever in Paradise next to their Gracious Lord.

O my brother in Islam! This is the rank of those who acquire Taqwa and this is their status with their Lord. Every intelligent person envies such prestige and only a fool undermines such privileges. So beware! Do not become among the foolhardy lest you regret on the day when remorse and sorrow will have no effect.

May Allah make us from His pious servants; grant us residence through His Grace in the Land of the Pure and, through His Kindness, register us with the best. Ameen.

My reconcilement is only with Allah. It is upon Him that I lay my trust and it is to Him that I resort.

Abu Maryam

Originally published in Arabic as: Zadul Mumineen Al-Taqwa, published by Maktabul Sahaba, Egypt.

Compilation of statements on "taqwa" (fear of God), taken from classical Muslim scholars such as al-Ghazali, Ibn al-Qayyim, and Ibn Rajab.

Translated by Maulana Mohammed Amin Kholwadia, compiled by Abu Maryam Majdi Fathi Al-Sayed.