Among the missions of the Prophet (pbuh), Allah sent him with the command to purify the souls of the Muslims in particular and of the mankind in general. Allah (SWT) says:
"He it is who sent among the unlettered ones a Messenger from among themselves, reciting to them His ayaat, purifying them, and teaching them the Book and the Hikmah, while before they had been in error."
[Sura Al-Jumu'ah 62:2].
In this ayaah the word Hikmah is often translated as
wisdom. Imaam ash-Shafi', one of the greatest scholars of Islaam, said that when Allah mentions Hikmah in the Qur'an, it refers to the Sunnah of the Prophet. In addition to this ayaah, we see that the Prophet was sent with three tasks:
1) To teach the Qur'aan.
2) To teach the Sunnah.
3) To show the means of purifying the soul.
This purification is obtained by doing the proper acts of 'ibaadah and by avoiding sins and disobedience.
In the context of worship and obedience, piety means purity of heart, spiritual profundity, and sincerity. In the context of refraining from what is unlawful, piety means being determined not to commit sins and to avoid doubtful things.
The following may help in this regard:
1. Be alert to whatever may divert you from Allah.
2. Be alert to the carnal pleasures that may lead to the realm of the forbidden.
3. Ascribe all material and spiritual accomplishments to Allah.
4. Never consider yourself as higher and better than
anyone else.
5. Long for Allah's pleasure and satisfaction in all affairs.
6. Renew the fountains of your Iman by studying and reflecting on Allah's creation.
7. Remember death, and live with the conscious
knowledge that it may happen at any time.
In conclusion, Taqwa (piety) is the heavenly water of life, and a Muttaqi (pious) is the fortunate one who has found it. Only a few individuals have achieved the blessing of this attainment.
