"Imagine a mosque where the imam is not just leading prayers but also hosting a weekly 'Potluck and Prayer' night," Limbuk moved on "One day, a newcomer asks, 'Is this place only for worship?' The imam chuckles and replies, 'Of course not! It's also for sharing delicious biryani and discussing who makes the best samosas!' This reflects how mosques serve as community centers where people gather not just for prayer but for social interaction, education, and cultural exchange.A man walks into a mosque and sees people chatting, kids playing, and families gathering. Confused, he asks, 'Isn't this place supposed to be for worship?' The imam smiles and says, 'Yes, but we also worship together by supporting each other—like when I support my friend’s attempt to make halal pizza!'These light-hearted takes illustrate that mosques are indeed places of worship but also vital community spaces where social bonds are strengthened, knowledge is shared, and laughter is welcomed.Then Limbuk carried on the previous topic, "Taqwa (تقوى) is an essential concept in Islam that refers to God-consciousness, piety, and righteousness. It means being aware of Allah at all times and living in a way that pleases Him, avoiding anything that leads to His displeasure.Ibn Rajab (رحمه الله) explained taqwa as follows: 'A servant places between himself and what he fears (Allah’s punishment) a protective shield by obeying Him and avoiding sin.' [Jami’ al-‘Ulum wal-Hikam, 191]Allah mentions taqwa many times in the Quran, showing its importance. Taqwa is the basis of honor in Islam. He, Subhanahu wa Ta'ala says,يٰٓاَيُّهَا النَّاسُ اِنَّا خَلَقْنٰكُمْ مِّنْ ذَكَرٍ وَّاُنْثٰى وَجَعَلْنٰكُمْ شُعُوْبًا وَّقَبَاۤىِٕلَ لِتَعَارَفُوْا ۚ اِنَّ اَكْرَمَكُمْ عِنْدَ اللّٰهِ اَتْقٰىكُمْ ۗاِنَّ اللّٰهَ عَلِيْمٌ خَبِيْرٌ'O mankind, indeed We have created you from male and female and made you peoples and tribes that you may know one another. Indeed, the most noble of you in the sight of Allāh is the most righteous [Literally, 'he who has the most taqwa,' i.e., consciousness and fear of Allah, piety and righteousness] of you. Indeed, Allah is Knowing and Aware.' [QS. Al-Hujurat (49):13]
Taqwa brings guidance and success,ذٰلِكَ الْكِتٰبُ لَا رَيْبَ ۛ فِيْهِ ۛ هُدًى لِّلْمُتَّقِيْنَۙ'This is the Book about which there is no doubt, a guidance for those conscious of Allah.' [QS. Al-Baqarah (2):2]Taqwa brings ease and provision.وَمَنْ يَّتَّقِ اللّٰهَ يَجْعَلْ لَّهٗ مَخْرَجًا ۙ وَّيَرْزُقْهُ مِنْ حَيْثُ لَا يَحْتَسِبُۗ وَمَنْ يَّتَوَكَّلْ عَلَى اللّٰهِ فَهُوَ حَسْبُهٗ ۗاِنَّ اللّٰهَ بَالِغُ اَمْرِهٖۗ قَدْ جَعَلَ اللّٰهُ لِكُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدْرًا' And whoever fears Allāh - He will make for him a way out [i.e., relief from distress]. And will provide for him from where he does not expect. And whoever relies upon Allāh - then He is sufficient for him. Indeed, Allāh will accomplish His purpose. Allāh has already set for everything a [decreed] extent. [QS. At-Talaq (65):2-3]Ali ibn Abi Talib (radhiyallahu 'anhu) said, 'Taqwa is to fear Allah, act upon His revelation, be content with little, and prepare for the Day of Judgment.'Umar ibn al-Khattab (radhiyallahu 'anhu) explained taqwa using an analogy. He asked Ubayy ibn Ka‘b (radhiyallahu 'anhu), 'What is taqwa?' Ubayy replied, 'Have you ever walked on a path full of thorns?'Umar said, 'Yes.' Ubayy asked, 'What did you do?'Umar said, 'I lifted my garment and was cautious where I stepped to avoid the thorns.' Ubayy replied, 'That is taqwa—being cautious in life, avoiding sin, and staying on the straight path.' (Tafsir Ibn Kathir, Surah Al-Baqarah 2:2)Scholars mention different levels of taqwa. The minimum level of taqwa is avoiding disbelief (Kufr) and shirk. A higher level is avoiding major sins (Kabā’ir), where one stays away from major sins like lying, backbiting, or oppression.A person with strong taqwa avoids doubtful matters (Shubuhāt), he stays away from things that may lead to sin, even if they are not clearly haram.The highest level avoids excess in halal, where a person avoids unnecessary distractions and focuses on what benefits them in the Akhirah.Those with taqwa has certain qualities, including fear Allah in private and public,اِنَّ الَّذِيْنَ يَخْشَوْنَ رَبَّهُمْ بِالْغَيْبِ لَهُمْ مَّغْفِرَةٌ وَّاَجْرٌ كَبِيْرٌ'Indeed, those who fear their Lord unseen will have forgiveness and great reward.' [QS. Al-Mulk (67):12]They rush to seek forgiveness when they sin.وَالَّذِيْنَ اِذَا فَعَلُوْا فَاحِشَةً اَوْ ظَلَمُوْٓا اَنْفُسَهُمْ ذَكَرُوا اللّٰهَ فَاسْتَغْفَرُوْا لِذُنُوْبِهِمْۗ وَمَنْ يَّغْفِرُ الذُّنُوْبَ اِلَّا اللّٰهُ ۗ وَلَمْ يُصِرُّوْا عَلٰى مَا فَعَلُوْا وَهُمْ يَعْلَمُوْنَ'And those who, when they commit an immorality or wrong themselves [by transgression], remember Allāh and seek forgiveness for their sins - and who can forgive sins except Allāh? - and [who] do not persist in what they have done while they know.' [QS. Ali 'Imran (3):135]They are humble and avoid arrogance..وَلَا تُصَعِّرْ خَدَّكَ لِلنَّاسِ وَلَا تَمْشِ فِى الْاَرْضِ مَرَحًاۗ اِنَّ اللّٰهَ لَا يُحِبُّ كُلَّ مُخْتَالٍ فَخُوْرٍۚ'And do not turn your cheek [in contempt] toward people [Rather, respect them by directing your face and attention to them] and do not walk through the earth exultantly. Indeed, Allāh does not like everyone self-deluded and boastful.' [QS. Luqman (31):18]They have good character. The Prophet ﷺ said,أَكْمَلُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ إِيمَانًا أَحْسَنُهُمْ خُلُقًا'The most complete believer in faith is the one with the best character.' [Tirmidhi 1162, Sahih by Al-Albani]This hadith emphasizes that true faith (iman) is not just about rituals but is perfected through good character (akhlaq), such as honesty, kindness, and humility.Taqwa is like a hidden flame within the heart, a light that guides a believer through the trials of this world. It is not simply fear of Allah, but a deep consciousness of Him—a state where every action, every word, and even every thought is weighed against His pleasure and His commands. Taqwa is what keeps a believer upright in moments of temptation, patient in moments of hardship, and grateful in times of ease. But just like a flame, it must be nurtured; otherwise, it flickers and weakens.A person does not wake up one morning suddenly full of taqwa—it is a journey, a lifelong effort that requires sincerity, struggle, and awareness. It begins in the heart, for the Prophet ﷺ said, 'Taqwa is here,' pointing to his chest three times. This means that increasing taqwa is not just about outward actions but about cultivating an inner consciousness of Allah, allowing it to manifest in every aspect of life.The heart, however, is easily distracted. It is pulled by desires, clouded by sins, and weakened by heedlessness. To strengthen taqwa, one must first clear the heart of what darkens it. Just as a traveler cannot move forward while carrying heavy burdens, a believer cannot grow in taqwa while drowning in sins. Seeking forgiveness, repenting sincerely, and turning back to Allah with a heart full of regret and hope is the first step. Every moment of sincere repentance is like a fresh rainfall washing away the dust of heedlessness, making the heart more receptive to the remembrance of Allah.Dhikr—this is the food of taqwa. A heart that remembers Allah constantly will never be empty of His light. When a person’s tongue is moist with the dhikr of Allah, when their thoughts return to Him throughout the day, when they whisper to Him in the quiet moments of the night, then taqwa begins to take root. The Qur'an, too, is a source of nourishment. It is not merely a book to be recited but a guide to be lived by, a means to deepen one's awareness of Allah. The more one immerses oneself in its meanings, the more one's heart becomes aligned with its message.But taqwa is not only built in solitude—it is strengthened through the company one keeps. A person surrounded by those who remind them of Allah, who encourage them toward good, and who inspire them to strive for righteousness will find their taqwa growing naturally. Just as fire spreads from one flame to another, faith and consciousness of Allah are rekindled through righteous companionship. On the other hand, a person who surrounds themselves with heedlessness, distraction, and sin will find their taqwa slowly extinguished, without even realizing it.Tests and trials are also among the greatest teachers of taqwa. When a believer is struck with difficulty, they have two choices—either to sink into despair and frustration or to turn to Allah in full submission, knowing that nothing happens except by His wisdom. The ones who increase in taqwa are those who see trials not as punishments, but as reminders, as opportunities to come closer to their Lord. Every hardship, every loss, and every moment of pain becomes a means of purification, burning away arrogance and drawing the soul nearer to Allah.
And yet, the path to taqwa is not without struggle. There will be days when the heart feels distant, when worship feels heavy, when sins seem impossible to escape. But taqwa is not about perfection—it is about persistence. It is about falling and rising again, slipping and seeking forgiveness, straying and returning. The one who sincerely strives for taqwa, no matter how many times they stumble, will find Allah’s mercy pulling them back.Ultimately, taqwa is a gift from Allah, and like all blessings, it must be sought through du’a. A believer must constantly ask, 'O Allah, grant me taqwa, purify my heart, and keep me steadfast upon Your path.' For in the end, taqwa is not just an idea or an ideal—it is the key to success in this life and the next. It is what makes a person beloved to Allah, what shields them from the Hellfire, and what leads them to Paradise.And what greater reward could there be than to stand before Allah on the Day of Judgment, having lived a life of taqwa, and to hear Him saying,وَتِلْكَ الْجَنَّةُ الَّتِيْٓ اُوْرِثْتُمُوْهَا بِمَا كُنْتُمْ تَعْمَلُوْنَDan iItulah surga yang diwariskan kepadamu disebabkan apa yang selama ini kamu kerjakan.' [QS. Az-Zukhruf (43):72]Taqwa is the soul of a believer’s journey, a shield against wrongdoing, and a compass that directs every step toward Allah’s pleasure. It is not confined to acts of worship alone, nor is it something that belongs only in the mosque or in moments of prayer. Rather, taqwa permeates every aspect of life—whether in leadership, business, or personal growth—shaping decisions, guiding interactions, and ensuring that every action is done with sincerity, justice, and accountability before Allah.A righteous leader is one who is guided by taqwa, serves with humility, and remains firm upon the truth regardless of consequences. When these qualities are present, leadership becomes a means of attaining Allah’s pleasure and uplifting the people, rather than a tool for personal gain.A leader in Islam is not one who seeks power for personal gain, nor one who rules through oppression, deception, or favoritism. Leadership is an amanah—a trust that comes with immense responsibility. The Prophet ﷺ taught that on the Day of Judgment, a leader will either stand in honor before Allah or be completely disgraced, depending on how they fulfilled their duty.Taqwa ensures that a leader governs not for personal status, but with humility and a sense of accountability before Allah. When Umar ibn al-Khattab (radhiyallahu 'anhu) became the Caliph, he did not see himself as a ruler, but as a servant of the people. His nights were spent ensuring that no person went hungry, his days were filled with justice, and he feared that even if a single animal under his rule suffered unjustly, he would have to answer to Allah.A leader with taqwa will not be swayed by wealth, bribes, or political pressures. Their decisions will be rooted in justice, honesty, and concern for the welfare of the people. They will seek advice, remain humble, and never place their desires above the rights of those they serve. The Prophet ﷺ said,خِيَارُ أَئِمَّتِكُمُ الَّذِينَ تُحِبُّونَهُمْ وَيُحِبُّونَكُمْ، وَيُصَلُّونَ عَلَيْكُمْ وَتُصَلُّونَ عَلَيْهِمْ'The best of your rulers are those whom you love and who love you, who pray for you and for whom you pray.' [Sahih according to Sunan At-Tirmidhi].Such leaders are only produced when taqwa governs the heart.In a world where business is often driven by greed, deception, and self-interest, taqwa serves as a guiding force that ensures transactions are conducted with honesty, fairness, and integrity. Islam does not discourage wealth; rather, it encourages trade and financial growth, but within the boundaries of ethical principles.A businessman with taqwa does not engage in fraud, deception, or exploitation. He understands that his wealth is a means of provision from Allah, not an excuse to oppress others. The Prophet ﷺ said,التَّاجِرُ الصَّدُوقُ الْأَمِينُ مَعَ النَّبِيِّينَ وَالصِّدِّيقِينَ وَالشُّهَدَاءِ“The truthful and trustworthy merchant will be with the prophets, the truthful, and the martyrs.” [Sunan At-Tirmidhi 1209; graded as Sahih li ghayrihi (authentic due to external evidence) by Sheikh Al-Albani]This hadith shows the great status of a merchant who maintains honesty and trustworthiness in his business, so he is rewarded with companionship among the most noble groups in the Hereafter. This shows that business, when conducted with taqwa, is not just a worldly pursuit but a path to eternal success.A businessman who fears Allah will never cheat in weights and measures, will not take advantage of the ignorance of others, and will not engage in haram (prohibited) dealings such as riba (interest), bribery, or deceitful contracts. He sees his work as a means of sustaining himself and benefiting society rather than a means of increasing wealth at the expense of ethics. Even when faced with temptations of unjust gain, he remembers that his true earnings are not only what he gathers in this world but what he invests for his akhirah (hereafter).Moreover, taqwa in business extends beyond transactions—it includes how employees are treated, how wealth is spent, and how charity is given. The true businessman of taqwa does not just seek profit but ensures that his earnings bring barakah (blessing) by sharing his wealth, helping the needy, and using his resources to uplift others.In an age that glorifies self-improvement, productivity, and success, personal development is often measured by material achievements—how much one earns, how many skills one gains, or how high one rises in social status. But in Islam, the greatest form of personal development is spiritual purification—the refinement of character, the discipline of desires, and the deepening of one’s relationship with Allah.Taqwa is the foundation of true self-improvement. It teaches a person to develop not only their mind and body but also their soul. A person with taqwa constantly evaluates their intentions, ensuring that their pursuit of success does not corrupt their heart or distance them from their purpose in life. While others may chase after status and recognition, the one with taqwa seeks Allah’s approval above all.Personal growth in Islam is not about selfish ambition—it is about fulfilling one’s potential in service to Allah and others. The Prophet (ﷺ) said,خَيْرُ النَّاسِ أَنْفَعُهُمْ لِلنَّاسِ'The best among you are those who bring the most benefit to others.' [reported by Al-Tabarani in his work Al-Mu'jam al-Awsaṭ. It has been graded as Hasan (fair) by the hadith scholar Al-Albani].
[Part 3]This means that true success is not just about improving oneself but also about using one’s abilities to uplift others, to serve the community, and to leave a legacy of goodness.Taqwa instills discipline, humility, and resilience. A person with taqwa is not swayed by ego, does not become arrogant with success, and does not become hopeless in failure. They understand that every gain and every loss is a test from Allah, and they remain patient, grateful, and steadfast.Whether in leadership, business, or personal growth, taqwa is the common thread that binds all aspects of life together. It transforms leadership from a position of power into a responsibility of service. It turns business from a pursuit of wealth into a means of ethical prosperity. It shifts personal development from a selfish journey to a path of spiritual fulfillment.Without taqwa, leadership leads to tyranny, business leads to corruption, and self-improvement becomes a race toward worldly success without meaning. But with taqwa, every role in life—whether as a leader, a trader, or an individual striving for growth—becomes a means of seeking Allah’s pleasure and attaining true success in both this world and the next.May Allah grant us all the ability to lead with justice, earn with honesty, and grow with sincerity, always keeping taqwa as our guiding light. Ameen."
[Part 1]
