Answer
Salam Dear Reader,
Thank you for your question and for contacting Ask About Islam.
Allah (SWT) says in the Noble Quran (as translated into English):
{O you who have believed, decreed upon you is fasting as it was decreed upon those before you that you may [gain taqwa]} (Quran 2:183)
So, what is taqwa?
The word taqwa, from the word (weqaya i.e. protection), means to protect ourselves and our souls by doing the righteous acts that the Creator prescribed, and to refrain from the transgressions that He prohibited.
Imagine, for example, you are taking a cold shower. Then you come out with your hair wet to find your window open- which may lead you to catch cold-, so you rush to close it. This is a form of (weqaya/protection). It is to do acts that prevent harm and bring goodness.
When we have taqwa, we do the acts that prevents the anger of Allah and earns us His pleasure. By leaving what He has prohibited and doing what He commanded, we earn spiritual benefits and rewards in this world and the next, and we avoid His anger or punishment.
How is fasting related to taqwa?
We fast for hours while the food and drinks are right in front of us, yet we don’t touch them while we can easily do so. Training ourselves to restrain our desires for a period of time for the pleasure of Allah and the purification of our soul, help us attain taqwa.
While fasting, we control the basic physical desires (food, drink, sexual intercourse) to gain spiritual strength. We weaken the physical being to strengthen the spiritual being. We do that by always thinking about Allah (i.e. being God-conscious).
Whenever we see certain things that are prohibited during the fast we remember Allah and refrain from transgressing or breaking the commitment of fasting. This helps us become mutaqeen (people of taqwa, i.e. those who are God conscious).
So, controlling our desires instead of following them blindly or being enslaved by them is something that is much appreciated and rewarded by the Creator Allah Almighty.
What is the reward of taqwa?
This word with its derivatives is mentioned over 200 times in the Quran.
Allah Almighty told us about Al mutaqeen (those who have taqwa):
{Indeed, Allah loves al-mutaqeen.} (Quran 3:76)
{Indeed, al-mutaqeen will be in a secure place.} (Quran 44:51)
{Indeed, al-mutaqeen will be among gardens and springs.} (Quran 51:15)
{Indeed, al-mutaqeen will be among gardens and rivers.} (Quran 54:54)
{And hasten to forgiveness from your Lord and a garden as wide as the heavens and earth, prepared for [al mutaqeen].} (Quran 3:133)
{Indeed, the [mutaqeen] will be among shades and springs. And fruits from whatever they desire, [Being told], “Eat and drink in satisfaction for what you used to do.” Indeed, We thus reward the doers of good.} (Quran 77:41-44)
{Unquestionably, [for] the allies of Allah there will be no fear concerning them, nor will they grieve. Those who believed and were [mutaqoon]. For them are good tidings in the worldly life and in the Hereafter. No change is there in the words of Allah. That is what is the great attainment.} (Quran 10:62-64)
{And whoever fears Allah (have taqwa) – He will make for him a way out. And will provide for him from where he does not expect. And whoever relies upon Allah – then He is sufficient for him. Indeed, Allah will accomplish His purpose. Allah has already set for everything a [decreed] extent.} (Quran 65:2-3)
{[…] and whoever fears Allah (have taqwa) – He will remove for him his misdeeds and make great for him his reward.} (Quran 65:5)
{Indeed, he who [has taqwa] and is patient, then indeed, Allah does not allow to be lost the reward of those who do good.} (Quran 12:90)
{That home of the Hereafter We assign to those who do not desire exaltedness upon the earth or corruption. And the [best] outcome is for [al mutaqeen].} (Quran 28:83)
{Gardens of perpetual residence, which they will enter, beneath which rivers flow. They will have therein whatever they wish. Thus does Allah reward [al mutaqeen].} (Quran 16:31)
We ask Allah to grant us taqwa and make us among al mutaqeen.
I hope this helps answer your question.
Salam and please keep in touch.
(From Ask About Islam archives)
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http://aboutislam.net/spirituality/taqwa-love-fear/