In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful

Who Are the God-Conscious (Muttaqīn)

(In the Light of the Qur’an and Hadith)

Translation of Sūrah al-Baqarah (Verses 1–2)

Arabic:
الم
ذَٰلِكَ الْكِتَابُ لَا رَيْبَ فِيهِ هُدًى لِّلْمُتَّقِينَ

Transliteration:
Alif Lām Mīm
Dhālika al-kitābu lā rayba fīhi hudan lil-muttaqīn

Literal Translation:

Alif Lām Mīm
That | the Book | no doubt | in it | guidance | for the God-conscious

Idiomatic Translation:

“Alif Lām Mīm. This is the Book in which there is no doubt; it is guidance for the God-conscious.” (Al-Baqarah 1–2)

The Meaning of “Alif Lām Mīm”

The letters Alif Lām Mīm are among the disconnected letters (ḥurūf muqaṭṭaʿāt) that appear at the beginning of certain chapters of the Qur’an.

Regarding their precise meaning, a narration in the books of hadith states that their true meaning is known only to Allah. Imām al-Qurṭubī reported that the four rightly guided caliphs and ʿAbdullāh ibn Masʿūd (may Allah be pleased with them) held this same view.

Although many interpretations have been discussed in various works of Qur’anic commentary, the appropriate attitude regarding matters whose knowledge Allah has not disclosed is to acknowledge human limitation and refrain from speculation. Where Allah has not given clear knowledge, believers recognize their inability and proceed without claiming certainty.

The Levels of Taqwā (God-Consciousness)

Taqwā has several levels.

One level of taqwā is the innate sense placed within human nature. This inner awareness is the basic condition required for benefiting from every call toward righteousness and goodness. If a person destroys this natural sense of moral awareness, he loses the capacity that encourages him toward goodness.

Just as this innate taqwā is necessary for encouraging noble conduct and moral integrity, it is also necessary for responding positively to the message of the Qur’an.

The Qur’an is such a message that careless and morally indifferent people rarely pay attention to it. Those who respond to it are usually individuals who possess within themselves a sense of seriousness, integrity, and moral awareness.

History itself bears witness that the message of the Qur’an appealed particularly to thoughtful and reasonable individuals among the Arabs, and among the People of the Book it attracted those who were truly God-fearing.

Taqwā as the Result of Following the Qur’an

A second form of taqwā develops as a result of following the Qur’an. This too has multiple levels.

In the phrase “guidance for the God-conscious,” the reference is primarily to the initial level of taqwā that enables a person to benefit from the Qur’an. However, from the description beginning with “those who believe in the unseen” and continuing until “they are the successful,” the Qur’an describes the qualities that arise as the outcome of following its guidance.

Thus the Qur’an both requires a certain level of taqwā to benefit from it and, in turn, nurtures and strengthens that taqwā within believers.

Who Are the God-Conscious (Muttaqīn)?

ʿAbdullāh ibn ʿAbbās (may Allah be pleased with him) explained that the muttaqīn are those who believe in Allah, avoid associating partners with Him, and fulfill the commands of Allah.

Another narration explains that the muttaqīn are those who fear Allah’s punishment and therefore do not abandon guidance, and who hope for His mercy and believe in what He has revealed.

An Illustration of Taqwā

It is reported that ʿUmar ibn al-Khaṭṭāb (may Allah be pleased with him) once asked Ubayy ibn Kaʿb (may Allah be pleased with him) about the meaning of taqwā.

Ubayy replied by asking:
“Have you ever walked on a path covered with thorns?”

ʿUmar said: “Yes.”

Ubayy asked: “What did you do?”

ʿUmar replied: “I gathered my clothes and walked carefully to avoid them.”

Ubayy said: “That is taqwā.”

In other words, just as a person walking on a thorny path carefully protects himself from harm, a believer carefully avoids sins and wrongdoing.

Another statement expresses the same idea:

“Abandon both small and great sins — this is taqwā. Walk through life as a person walking on a path of thorns.”

Small sins should not be considered insignificant, for great mountains are formed from small stones.

The True Benefit of Taqwā

Abū al-Dardāʾ (may Allah be pleased with him) said that people often pursue the fulfillment of their desires while ignoring the will of their Lord, even though ultimately only what Allah wills comes to pass.

People chase worldly gain and wealth, yet the greatest benefit and the finest treasure is taqwā of Allah.

The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said that the finest benefit a person can obtain is fear of Allah.

Benefiting from the Guidance of the Qur’an

The Qur’an is entirely guidance and direction. However, benefiting from it requires certain qualities within a person:

• the ability to distinguish between right and wrong,

• the desire to avoid evil,

• the inclination toward goodness,

• and at least a sincere willingness to act upon what is right.

When these qualities are present, Allah grants the rest through His mercy.

A person must simply show a genuine desire for guidance; the decision of guidance ultimately belongs to Allah.

However, those who live heedlessly, following only worldly desires without reflecting on whether their actions are right or wrong, turn away from the guidance of the Qur’an and thus bring ruin upon themselves.

May Allah include us among His guided servants. We strive, but it is the Generous Lord who grants true guidance. Āmīn.