Islamically, Wara’, or being conscious of Allah, is to refrain from that which you suspect may be a sin, thus being on the safe side; it is also to refrain from following one’s base desires and being wary of whims. Imam Ibn Taymiyyah said referring to it: “It is to refrain from that which you fear the evil consequences of; and it is to abstain from that which one is unsure of the permissibility of, which will result in no harm due to this abstention; and it is also to refrain from using trickery in order to avoid performing that which one suspects may be obligatory.”

Imam Ibn Al-Qayyim said: “It is to refrain from that which one fears the harmful consequences of in the Hereafter.”

According to Quranic commentators and scholars of Islam, there are various ranks of belief, and Wara' is one of these ranks, which can be extracted from the Saying of Allah (what means): {It is You we worship and You we ask for help.} [Quran 1:5]

Wara’ is also meant by the Saying of Allah (what means): {[Allah said], “O Messengers! Eat from the good foods and work righteousness. Indeed I, of what you do, am Knowing…..} [Quran 23:51]

Wara’ is also meant in the Saying of Allah (what means): {And your clothing purify.} [Quran 74:4] Many of the Quranic commentators and scholars of Islam have said that this verse means: ‘Purify your soul from sinning.’ Undoubtedly, striving to purify one’s soul is amongst the commands of Allah because it is with this that deeds are perfected and manners reformed, and thus, Wara’ purifies the heart just as water purifies a garment from filth; and there is a strong relationship between the purity of one's garments and the purity of his heart.

The Prophet said in a general statement that which can be taken as a definition of Wara’ when he said: “A sign of one’s good practice of Islam is him giving up that which does not concern him.” This is general and includes refraining from talking about trivial issues, looking at prohibited things, listening to prohibited sounds and so on. Imam At-Tirmithi narrated that Abu Hurayrah said: “The Prophet said to me: “Be conscious of Allah, then you will become the most devout person.”

Nobody will be able to attain the reality of Wara' until he gives up that which there is no harm in doing, due to the fear that this permissible action may eventually lead to something forbidden. In this regard, one of the Companions of the Prophet said: "We used to give up many permissible things out of fear that we might thereby commit that which is prohibited."

There is a very important matter related to Wara’, which is knowledge, because no one can become pious whilst ignorant or illiterate. In this regard, Imam Ibn Taymiyyah said: "The perfection of Wara’ is when the person knows what is the better of two good deeds in order to perform it, and the worst of two evil deeds in order to avoid it. Islam is based upon establishing good and preventing evil from occurring, or at least reducing it as much as possible. One who cannot judge when to perform and when to refrain from an action may give up performing an obligation or commit a prohibition thinking that he is being pious, such as the example of a man who gives up performing Jihaad with oppressive rulers thinking that this is Wara’, whereas it results in the enemy overpowering the Muslims." Thus ignorance causes people to give up performing obligatory actions, calming that they are being pious, such as those people who refrain from attending the congregational prayer because the Imam leading it has shortcomings or is a sinner.

One rule regarding Wara’ was highlighted by Imam Ibn Taymiyyah when he said: "Giving up obligatory and recommended acts is not included in the definition of Wara’; this only applies to prohibited or disliked acts." He also said: "Wara’ is to give up that which is harmful, like prohibitions or doubtful matters, but refraining from obligations and recommended acts is ignorance and transgression."

Being Conscious of Allah – II