Reference: I’laam al-Mu’aasireen bi-Fataawa Ibn ‘Uthaymeen p290
Question: What is your opinion regarding a man who is offered sincere advice, who then says “taqwa[1] is here” and he points to his heart, quoting the statement of the Prophet ﷺ and then he carries on sinning?
Response: This which some of the people do when they are offered sincere advice, they say: "taqwa is here" is (indeed) truthful speech, because the Prophet ﷺ said:
and he pointed to his chest; Saying it three times:
[Importantly]
, the one who said:
…[namely the Prophet ﷺ] is also the one who said:
…and based upon this, then apparent corruption is indicative of hidden corruption, so we say to the one who says:
…we say: If there is taqwa in that which is here [i.e. the heart], then that which we see from (your) apparent actions would also (indicate) taqwa; Because if the heart has taqwa, then it is imperative the parts of the body will too, as the Prophet ﷺ said:
…and because of this, we demolish his argument and we say if (indeed) you were truthful that in your heart there is taqwa, then the parts of your body should also have taqwa (so you shouldn’t be sinning!).
Footnote:
[1] Taqwa – Fear, dread, awe. Piety to Allaah, fear of Allaah, warding off Allaah’s wrath, being conscious of Allaah, devotion, devoutness.
