Takwa guarantees success and excellence for Muslims. In the chapter al-Talaq verse 2 to 3, God says, “And whosoever fears Allah and keeps his duty to Him (takwa), He will make a way for him to get out (from every difficulty), And He will provide him sustenance from (sources) he never could imagine” Imam Ahmad reported from Abu Zar, “The Prophet read this verse to me (Abu Zar), and he said, ‘O Abu Zar, if people held firm to this verse, it is sufficient for them”.
This verse was regarded by Abdullah bin Masud as the ‘greatest problem solving formula in the Quran’. This proves that those who are pious will be inspired by Him with guidance. This guidance enables them to solve their problems. Moreover, takwa opens the door to worldly sustenance. Hence, it is baseless when some people opine that Islam only focuses on the Hereafter and neglects worldly needs. In actuality, both are important in Islam. However, more importantly, Islam wants needs of both realms to be fulfilled based on takwa.
According to Ibn Abi Hatim, this verse was revealed in relation to the incident whereby Auf bin Malik was held captive by the enemy. His father, Malik al-Asyja’ii, asked the Prophet for advise and the Prophet told him to recite lahaula wala quwwata illa billah which means ‘all strength and power are only with Allah’. Not long after that, Auf managed to escape and returned together with the camels of the enemies. His father was grateful and referred this incident to the Prophet. The Prophet was also grateful and allowed the camels to be eaten. This story shows that with takwa God’s help and sustenance will more or less be a surety.
The manifestation of this verse was demonstrated during the time of Caliph Umar bin Abdul Aziz. He was renowned as a leader with takwa and he was at the same time a just ruler. He governed for only 30 months. However, during his reign, poverty was erdicated and people lived in luxury. With regard to this, Yahya bin Said reported, “Caliph Umar bin Abdul Aziz send me to collect alms (zakat) in Africa. I performed this task and following that, I looked for the poor to distribute the alms. However, I did not find any. Indeed, Caliph Umar Abdul Aziz had made us wealthy.” So, it is true, takwa guarantees us the security that we need.
This is further reinforced by the statement of Allah in the chapter al-Anfal verse 29, “O you who believe! If you obey and fear Allah (takwa), He will grant you Furqan (a criterion to judge between right and wrong) and will expatiate you of your sins and forgive you, and Allah is the owner of the Great Bounty”
Abudllah bin Abbas, Imam Mujahid, Ikrimah, Dahhak, Qatadah and Muqatil Ibn Hayyan interpreted furqaan as a ‘way out’. In another narration by Abudllah bin Abbas, he interpreted it as victory and help (from Allah). Imam Ibn Kathir summed up these views by saying, “Whoever embraces takwa by doing what is ordered and leaving what is prohibited, he will be given guidance and with that he recognizes the truth from falsehood. This will be the reason for his success and deliverance from worldly problems and also the reason for his bliss in the Hereafter.. ”
In addition to all these, people who embrace takwa are steadfast in their religion and are found to be healthier than others. According to the American National Institute of Health Research, 75% of contemporary studies related to religion and health shows that religion and worship bring positive effects on an individual’s health. According to a study conducted by Dr. Harold G. Koening, Director of the Centre for the Study of Religion/Spirituality and Health at Duke University, the blood of people who are committed to their religion is rich with the hormone interleukin-6, which serves to improve an individual’s immune system.
Hence, those who discard takwa and are entrenched in vices are clearly at the losing end. With regards to this, the Prophet said, “Allah forbids provision for someone who does vices. And there is nothing that can change destiny except prayer (doa), and also lifespan will not increase except by performing good deeds.” This Hadis was transmitted by Ahmad, an-Nasai and Ibn Majah.
The same goes for a city or country, in which its people neglect takwa. God punishes them with disasters and closes the gates of sustenance for the populace. With respect to this, Allah says in the chapter an-Nahl verse 112, “And Allah puts forward the example of a township that dwelt secure and well content; its provision coming to it in abundance from every place, but it (its people) denied the favours of Allah (with ungratefulness). So Allah made it taste the extreme of hunger (famine) and fear, because of that (evil) which they used to do.”
– Extract from 7 Formulas of Excellent Individuals by Dr. Danial Zainal Abidin