"And take a provision (with you) for the journey, but the best provision is At-Taqwa (piety, righteousness)." (1)

"And take a provision (with you) for the journey, but the best provision is At-Taqwa (piety, righteousness)." [Surat Al Baqarah: 197].

Allah (may He be Exalted) says: "And verily, We have recommended to the people of the Scripture before you, and to you (O Muslims) that you (all) fear Allâh." [Surat An-Nisa': 131].

Piety is the commandment of Allah (may He be Glorified and Exalted) to all humans because it includes every goodness. So, the one who fears Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He) shall unify Him alone without associating partners with Him in worship. A person shall search for what pleases Allah to do and what will make Him angry to avoid. So, piety is the best commandment from the Lord of creation to guide His Servants to their success in this world and in the Hereafter.

The status and importance of piety:

Allah (may He be Exalted) says: "And take a provision (with you) for the journey, but the best provision is At-Taqwa (piety, righteousness). So fear Me, O men of understanding!" [Surat Al Baqarah: 197].

So, piety is the best provision a person can obtain.

Allah (Exalted be He) says: "No doubt! Verily, the Auliya' of Allah [i.e. those who believe in the Oneness of Allah and fear Allah much (abstain from all kinds of sins and evil deeds which he has forbidden), and love Allah much (perform all kinds of good deeds which He has ordained)], no fear shall come upon them nor shall they grieve, * Those who believed and used to fear Allah, keep their duty to Him and avoid evil." [Surat Yunus: 62 - 63].

Allah made piety the balance of the truth by which people are weighed not the balance of nobility, lineage, money, and fame. Allah (may He be Glorified and Exalted) says: "Verily, the most honorable of you with Allâh is that (believer) who has At-Taqwâ [i.e. he is one of the Muttaqûn (the pious)]." [Surat Al Hujurat: 13].

Piety is the most beautiful garment by which a person adorns himself. Allah (may He be Exalted) says: "O Children of Adam! We have bestowed raiment upon you to cover yourselves (screen your private parts, etc.) and as an adornment, and the raiment of righteousness, that is better." [Surat Al A`raf: 26].

It brings Allah's Love to a person. "Yes, whoever fulfils his pledge and fears Allâh much; then verily, Allâh loves those who are Al-Muttaqûn (the pious)." [Surat Al `Imran: 76].

By piety a person obtains Allah's Companionship. "Truly, Allâh is with those who fear Him (keep their duty to Him), and those who are Muhsinûn (good-doers)." [Surat An-Nahl: 128].

The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: "Fear Allah wherever you are, do good deeds after doing bad ones, the former will wipe out the latter, And behave decently with people."

• `Umar wrote to his son `Abdullah: "Now coming to the point, I advise you with fearing Allah (may He be Glorified and Exalted) for whoever fears Him shall be protected, whoever gives in charity shall be rewarded, whoever shows gratitude shall be granted more favors, and put piety before your eyes to purity your heart."

• `Umar ibn `Abdul-`Aziz wrote to a man: "I advise you with fearing Allah (may He be Glorified and Exalted) which is the only accepted thing, only its people are shown mercy, and only its people are rewarded. Many people advise one another with it but those who act according to it are few; may Allah make me and you of the pious."

Ibn Al Qayyim (may Allah bestow mercy on his soul) said: Ibn `Awn saw a man off saying: "Keep to fearing Allah for the one who fears Him shall not suffer alienation."

Ath-Thawry said: "If you fear Allah, He shall protect you, but if you fear the people, they shall not suffice you from Allah."

One of the Prophet's supplication was: "O Allah! Grant me the sense of piety, and purify it, for You are the best purifier; you are its Guardian and its Protecting Friend."