world and the Hereafter. Piety brings about salvation from difficulties, brings blessings into sustenance, and creates ease in all important issues. Remember, Paradise is the home of the pious; they are blessed with ease at the time of death; their respect and honour are raised. Whosoever adopts piety is able to completely avoid Haram things, by the grace and blessings of Allah Almighty. If we adopt piety the way Allah Almighty has ordered us to, we shall be destined to receive the bounties of both worlds.

What is piety?

Hujjat al-Islam, Imam Muhammad bin Muhammad Ghazali رَحْمَةُ الـلّٰـهِ عَلَيْه describes piety in the following way, “Piety is to abstain from anything or any action, regarding which there is fear a person shall suffer harm in his religious affairs.”^[1]

The pillars of piety

The renowned commentator of the Quran, Hakeem al-Ummah, Mufti Ahmad Yar Khan رَحْمَةُ الـلّٰـهِ عَلَيْه furthers this discussion, by describing the pillars of piety:

There are two pillars of piety. Firstly, doing good, and secondly, avoiding the evil. However, its most important pillar is abstaining from wrongdoing. Carrying out acts of worship is easy, but avoiding the prohibited things and staying away from wrong matters is difficult.^[2]

The excellences of piety mentioned in the Quran

In various places in the Holy Quran, Allah Almighty has ordered His servants to adopt piety and abstinence. We all desire to become beloved and close servants of Allah Almighty. So, bear in mind, only