"And take a provision (with you) for the journey, but the best provision is At-Taqwa (piety, righteousness)." (5)

Attributes of the pious:

Let us recognize the people who get these high ranks so that people do not claim to have them while they are free of them. Knowing these qualities sharpen vigor to seek them and exert efforts to get them:

1- Of the qualities of the pious: They do believe in the unseen out of sincere faith. Allah (may He be Exalted) says: "This is the Book (the Qur'ân), whereof there is no doubt, a guidance to those who are Al Muttaqûn [the pious believers of Islâmic Monotheism who fear Allâh much (abstain from all kinds of sins and evil deeds which He has forbidden) and love Allâh much (perform all kinds of good deeds which He has ordained)]. * Who believe in the Ghaib and perform As-Salât (Iqâmat-as-Salât), and spend out of what We have provided for them [i.e. give Zakât, spend on themselves, their parents, their children, their wives, etc., and also give charity to the poor and also in Allâh's Cause - Jihâd]." [Surat Al Baqarah: 2- 3].

2- Of their attributes is that they forgive and pardon. Allah (may He be Exalted) says: "And to forego (and give her the full Mahr) is nearer to At-Taqwa (piety, righteousness)." [Surat Al Baqarah: 237].

Allah (may He be Exalted) said about the description of the pious: "Those who spend (in Allâh's Cause) in prosperity and in adversity, who repress anger, and who pardon men; verily, Allâh loves Al-Muhsinûn (the good-doers)." [Surat Al `Imran: 134].

3- Of their attributes is that they are fallible to sins except the Prophets whom Allah (may He be Glorified and Exalted) protected. Prophets used not to insist on sins, but whenever they fall into a sin, they repent to Allah in repentance, forgiveness, and righteous work in confirmation to the Prophet's saying: "If you follow a bad deed with a good one, it will erase it."

This quality is proved by Allah's Saying: "Verily, those who are Al-Muttaqûn (the pious), when an evil thought comes to them from Shaitân (Satan), they remember (Allâh), and (indeed) they then see (aright)." [Surat Al A`raf: 201].

4- Of their attributes, they investigate truthfulness, for they are the most truthful people out of faith and the most truthful in sayings and actions, and they believed the Messengers. Allah (may He be Exalted) says: "And he (Muhammad peace be upon him) who has brought the truth (this Qur'ân and Islâmic Monotheism) and (those who) believed therein (i.e. the true believers of Islâmic Monotheism), those are Al Muttaqûn (the pious)." [Surat Az-Zumar: 33].

5- Of their attributes is that they glorify Allah's Sacred Rites. Allah (may He be Exalted) says: "Thus it is [what has been mentioned in the above said Verses (27, 28, 29, 30, 31) is an obligation that mankind owes to Allâh] and whosoever honors the Symbols of Allâh, then it is truly from the piety of the hearts." [Surat Al Hajj: 32].

6- Of their attributes is that they investigate justice and judge therewith, and the hatred of someone does not make them avert from justice. Allah (may He be Exalted) says: "O you who believe! Stand out firmly for Allah and be just witnesses and let not the enmity and hatred of others make you avoid justice. Be just: that is nearer to piety, and fear Allah. Verily, Allah is Well-Acquainted with what you do." [Surat Al Ma'idah: 8].

7- Of their attributes is that they follow the way of the truthful Prophets, the Messengers, and the Companions of the master of the first and the last. Allah (may He be Exalted) says: "O you who believe! Be afraid of Allâh, and be with those who are true (in words and deeds)." [Surat At-Tawbah: 119].