Taqwa, or God-consciousness, is an Islamic concept that has multiple interpretations, including:

• A state of being
  Taqwa can be seen as a state of being, or a state of spiritual closeness to God. 

• A process
  Taqwa can also be seen as a process of preventing punishment from God by following God’s commands and avoiding what God has forgiven. 

• A shield
  Taqwa can be seen as a shield that prevents a person from displeasing Allah. 

• An emotional awareness
  Taqwa can be seen as an emotional awareness of God’s presence, and a turning away from doing wrong. 

• A balance
  Taqwa can be seen as a balance between love of God, fear of God, and hope in Allah’s mercy. 

• An experience
  Taqwa can be seen as an experience of awe of God, which inspires a person to do what pleases Allah. 

Some ways to attain taqwa include: Obeying Allah’s commands, Avoiding things that displease Allah, Being conscious of what you say and do, and Leaving off false speech and evil actions.