I also want to discuss "Taqwa" based on what our Imam has often discussed with us in his Khutbahs. Simplistically we often say Taqwa is "fear", but that is a very shallow translation of the word. You could say "Piety" is a closer meaning. But even that does not seem to encompass what Taqwa in its literal conceptual sense is.
A literal understanding of Taqwa as a concept is as "a covering, for protection" like what your blanket or garment is against the cold. And Allah says many times "Ya Ayyuhallazeena amanu'taqullah" which literally translates as "O you who believe, fear Allah [as he should be feared]" right? But in the sense of the word Taqwa as a covering for protection, Taqwa means "Be mindful of Allah and take heed of His protection and take it as a covering". That is how you have taqwa, not by "fear" alone or by "piety" alone.
And from my above post, Subhan'Allah, the muttaqoon, the people of taqwa are described so beautifully in that Ayat.
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