What does the Quran say about CONSCIOUSNESS (TAQWA)?

I have strong convictions that consciousness (taqwa in Arabic) is the most important state of being. Accordingly, taqwa is used 251 times in the Holy Qur’an as either a noun or a verb. One of my favorite Quranic verse is Quran 2:2177 below.

In my opinion, many translations of the Quran do an injustice to the word taqwa when it is translated as ‘fear’ instead of being conscious. Fear God instead be conscious of Him. God-fearing instead of God-consciousness. As such, for this entry, I will use Muhammad Asad’s translation of the Quran as he uses the latter.

Taqwa is more aptly translated as consciousness or mindfulness. It is the concept of having self-restraint- an inner voice that guides us and give us an awareness in choosing what is best and doing what is right.

Central to being a good human is being God-conscious. It is the standard that we should strive for and according to the Quran, our best and noblest ‘dress code’. In short, taqwa is the behavioral pattern that makes mankind great.

There are many verses on the subject, as like the previous post, I will share about 10 in this entry. All emphasis are mine to help readers focus on a particular message.

1.    O CHILDREN of Adam! Indeed, We have bestowed upon you from on high [the knowledge of making] garments to cover your nakedness, and as a thing of beauty: but the garment of God-consciousness is the best of all. Herein lies a message from God, so that man might take it to heart. Quran 7:26

2.    O men! Behold, We have created you all out of a male and a female, and have made you into nations and tribes, so that you might come to know one another. Verily, the noblest of you in the sight of God is the one who is most deeply conscious of Him. Behold, God is all-knowing, all-aware. - Quran 49:13

3.    O YOU who have attained to faith! Remain conscious of God, and be among those who are true to their word! - Quran 9:119

4.    True piety does not consist in turning your faces towards the east or the west - but truly pious is he who believes in God, and the Last Day; and the angels, and revelation, and the prophets; and spends his substance - however much he himself may cherish - it - upon his near of kin, and the orphans, and the needy, and the wayfarer, and the beggars, and for the freeing of human beings from bondage; and is constant in prayer, and renders the purifying dues; and [truly pious are] they who keep their promises whenever they promise, and are patient in misfortune and hardship and in time of peril: it is they that have proved themselves true, and it is they, they who are conscious of God. Quran 2:177

5.    AND DO NOT allow your oaths in the name of GOD to become an obstacle to virtue and GOD-Consciousness and the promotion of peace between men:  for GOD is all-hearing, all-knowing. - Quran 2:224

6.    And the divorced women, too, shall have [a right to] maintenance in a goodly manner:  this is a duty for all who are CONSCIOUS of GOD. Quran 2:241

7.    If good fortune comes to you, it grieves them; and if evil befalls you, they rejoice in it. But if you are patient in adversity and CONSCIOUS of GOD, their guile cannot harm you at all: for, verily, GOD encompasses [with His might] all that they do. – Quran 3:120

8.    Verily, they who are CONSCIOUS of GOD bethink themselves [of Him] whenever any dark suggestion from Satan touches them - whereupon, lo! they begin to see [things] clearly, -Quran 7:201

9.    O you who have attained to faith! If you remain CONSCIOUS of GOD. He will endow you with a standard by which to discern the true from the false, and will efface your bad deeds, and will forgive you your sins: for GOD is limitless in His great bounty - Quran 8:29

10. VERILY, those who are CONSCIOUS of GOD [shall find themselves in the hereafter] amidst gardens and springs, – Quran 15:45

Please do contribute more Quranic verse/s with the same theme should you like too.

Google about the topic and be conscious, be mindful. Taqwa! 😊

Peace, anas


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