Surah Baqarah, 2

“It (the Qur’aan) is a guide for those who fear Allah.”

(Surah Baqarah, 2)

At a certain place a modernist was questioning Hafiz Muhammad Ahmad Saheb Marhoom (former principal of Darul Uloom Deoband) as to the meaning of “Hudallil Muttaqeen”. Hafiz Saheb Marhoom responded, but the modernist was not satisfied. Hafiz Saheb Marhoom then explained: “This is just like you have a BA course. A person who studies the course becomes a BA. Similarly, the Qur’aan is a Course on Taqwa. Following its guidance, one becomes a Muttaqi.”

Moulana Muhammad Qaasim Saheb (Rahmatullahi alaih) gave another response. He says that Taqwa, here, does not have the technical meaning. The literal meaning of  fear and apprehension is intended. The Aayat thus means that those people who have apprehension, concern and intention in their hearts of reforming themselves, the Qur’aan guides them. One who does not wish to reform himself on the other hand will be left to himself [i.e. he will plunge headlong into deviation].