ভূমিকা
“No deed, if accompanied by piety, is trivial.”[^2] Short Expalantion Special taqwa is acquired by refraining from prohibited and dubious things, whereas general taqwa is acquired out of fear of punishment and the fire of Hell. Taqwa is similar to the water of a river that flows by the trees growing along its banks, each tree benefiting from it in the measure of its tenderness, covetousness and essence.
Although people benefit from piety according to their knowledge, perception and level of faith, their levels of piety differ in deeds and sincerity. In reality, piety is absolute obedience without any transgression, and (it is) knowledge without any ignorance.
It becomes the cause for the acceptance of one’s (good) deeds and makes one, who comes to possess it, distinguished and pre-eminent.[^3] The Incorrect Piety Once, during the era of the Noble Prophet (S), three ladies approached him to complain about their husbands. The first lady complained: “My husband has stopped eating meat.” “My husband has abandoned the use of perfume,” the second one protested. The third lady complained that her husband did not have intimate relations with her.
(By behaving in this manner, the husbands had desired to practice piety and abstinence). This disturbed the Noble Prophet (S) so much that as he came out of his house, he did not even put on his cloak properly and thus, it dragged along the ground behind him. Climbing the pulpit before a gathering of the people, he praised Allah, and said: “Why is it that some of my companions do not eat meat, they do not apply perfume and they do not have intimate relations with their wives? O’ Muslims!
Do know that I too eat meat, make use of perfume and am intimate with my wives. This is my tradition and one who distances himself from my tradition is not from me.” In this manner, the Noble Prophet (S) destroyed the foundations of incorrect piety and condemned its advocates.[^4] Abu Dharr Abu Dharr said: “My provisions and savings during the time of the Noble Prophet (S) had always been three kilograms of dates.