Taqwa

An incredible example that demonstrates this, is when Umar Ibn Al-Khattab (may Allah be pleased with him) asked Ubay Ibn Ka’ab (may Allah be pleased with him) about Taqwa.

Ubay said “Have you ever taken a thorny path?” Umar replied, “Yes I have.” Ubay then asked, “So how did you travel along this thorny path?” Umar replied, “I rolled up my garment and was cautious as to where I would tread to avoid being pricked by the thorns.” So Ubay responded and said, “This is Taqwa.”

Taqwa is a shield or protection, it can be defined as placing a protective barrier between yourself and Allah's punishment. 

"O mankind, worship your Lord, who created you and those before you, that you may become righteous."

[Qur'an: Surah al-Baqarah (The Cow) 2, verse 21]

Here those who are righteous, are those who have Taqwa. Taqwa is not just something you gain and keep, but something that needs maintenance and requires you to be in a proactive state mentally, emotionally, physically and spiritually. 

If you noticed it was raining outside, you wouldn't leave the house without an umbrella, for example. Just as the umbrella protects you from the rain, Taqwa protects the believer from committing sins/bad deeds that distance you from Allah SWT.

"O you who have believed, fear Allah and speak words of appropriate justice. He will [then] amend for you your deeds and forgive you your sins. And whoever obeys Allah and His Messenger has certainly attained a great attainment."

[Quran: Surah Al-Ahazab (The Combined Forces) 33, verses 70-71]

So remember that Taqwa is about being conscious of Allah and knowing that He is watching and listening to your most inner intentions, so be conscious of yourself, your actions and your character. That with every one of those is pleasing to the Creator and Him alone, not just outwardly but most importantly inwardly.

By having Taqwa you are protecting yourself from committing sins and swaying from the Right Path. You will have a protective shield by the will of Allah, Most High, to alert you and guide you because of your awareness of Allah SWT. 

This is the way of a Muslim, the way of life is to have Taqwa, however you perceive it. It is deeply rooted in the teachings of the Qur'an and the Sunnah. Taqwa is a guide that will light the way to ensure  you lead a life pleasing to Allah Azzawajal (Mighty and Majestic).