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Shiavault - a Vault of Shia Islamic Books Isti'adha: Seeking Allah's Protection from Satan The Eighth Talk Taqwa: the first aspect of Isti’adha The summary of our discussion is that taqwa or piety is the first, and foremost, aspect of Isti’adha. Therefore, this foremost aspect or pillar must be very strong and formidable so that the super-structure built on it too is strong. The word taqwa is derived from the word waqayat which means guarding and protecting.

In the juridical sense, abstention from acting against awamir wa nawahi (commandments and prohibitions) is termed taqwa. It is necessary that taqwa should entrench itself to such a degree that the very thought of committing sins becomes abhorrent to us. For example, even if all the friends join together to encourage a man of piety to gossip or backbite against another person, he must desist from doing it.

This is termed malikat e taqwa wherein a tendency develops in a person that he is able to resist the onslaught of Satan. Abstinence from Reprehensible (makrūhāt) To reach the elevated state of piety one has necessarily to abstain from unbecoming habits and things. Then abstention from Haram or prohibited things becomes easier for us. By practicing this abstinence, piety will get stronger. As far as possible we should not miss the optional prayers ( Mustahabbat).

One who is regular at offering these optional prayers, will never think of foregoing the mandatory prayers. Thorny jungle and the barefoot traveler Some learned scholars have given a very interesting definition of taqwa and have explained it with an interesting example too. When you walk barefooted through a thorny jungle, how will you traverse the way? Will you keep your eyes up and walk casually or keep every step with due care and observation to prevent the thorns hurting your bare feet?

Taqwa too means that on the path of life Satan has spread thorns and the man of piety has to save himself from getting hurt by them and keep moving forward all the time. The bait and intrigue of Satan The exercise of this care is so necessary that Imam Zayn al-’Abidīn has included the following supplication in the Sahifa al-Kamila: “O Allah!

I beseech for your protection against the bait and intrigue of Iblīs!” You must have noticed that the hunter keeps his net hidden or camouflaged that the animal notices only the bait and not the net. In the urge for eating the bait, the animal gets caught in the net. The accursed Iblīs uses several baits.