Taqwa, or consciousness of God, is a virtuous characteristic in Islam that leads to guidance. It means placing a protective barrier between oneself and Allah's punishment by obeying His commands and avoiding prohibitions. When asked about Taqwa, Ubay Ibn Ka'ab compared it to traveling on a thorny path cautiously. Fasting is important in developing self-control and Taqwa, as it exercises one's ability to restrain urges and desires. Both Jesus and Moses fasted for long periods to strengthen their faith. Developing Taqwa outside of Ramadan involves fasting, avoiding haram acts, increasing worship, and struggling against one's desires.

1. IMPORTANCE OF
FASTING IN RAMADAAN
-Asghar Ali

2. Surah baqra ayah 185

3. Urdu translation

4. Taqwa leads to guidance from Allah:
“This is the Book about which there is
no doubt, a guidance for the
Muttaqeen”
Quran 2:2

6. Taqwa (Arabic: ‫تقوى‬ taqwā / taqwá ) is an
Islamic term for being conscious and
cognizant of God, of truth, of the rational
reality, "piety, fear of God." It is often found in
the Quran.

7. The linguistic meaning of Taqwa is “a shield, or
protective barrier”. It is to protect oneself from
what angers Allah. Some scholars define Taqwa
as placing a protective barrier between yourself
and Allah’s punishment.
-Taqwa also means doing that which Allah has
enjoined and avoiding that which He has
forbidden.

8. when Umar Ibn Al-Khattab (may Allah be
pleased with him) asked Ubay Ibn Ka’ab
(may Allah be pleased with him) about
Taqwa.
Ubay said “Have you ever taken a thorny
path?” Umar replied, “Yes I have.” Ubay
then asked, “So how did you travel along
this thorny path?” Umar replied, “I rolled up
my garment and was cautious as to where
I would tread to avoid being pricked by the
thorns.” So Ubay responded and said,
“This is Taqwa.”

9. Taqwa is one of the most virtuous
characteristics a Muslim can have.
Allah says:
“Verily, the most honourable of you with Allah is
that (believer) who has At-Taqwa. Verily, Allah is
All-Knowing, All-Aware.”
Quran 49:13.
“Indeed, Allah loves the Muttaqeen.”
Quran 3:76

10. “He who does not give up uttering falsehood
and acting according to it, God has no need of
his giving up his food and drink.”
-Prophet Muhammad(PBUH)

11. Jesus fasted forty days and forty nights, and
explained it by saying:
“It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but
by every word that proceeds from the mouth of
God.” (Matthew 4:2-4.)
Moses also fasted forty days and forty nights
(Exodus 34:28)

12. To develop and strengthen our powers of self-
control, so that we can resist wrongful desires and
bad habits, and therefore “guard against evil” . In
fasting, by refraining from the natural human urges
to satisfy one’s appetite, we are exercising our
ability of self-restraint, so that we can then apply it
to our everyday life to bring about self-
improvement.

13. Ways to work on Taqwa?
1.Fast outside Ramadan
2. Let go of the Haram
3. Increase your worship
4. Struggle against your Nafs (self jihad)