The word · The heart
الوَرَع
Wara'
Caution that leaves what is unclear, in order to stay safe from what is forbidden.
Also written · Wara · Waraa · War'a · Wara' in food · Scrupulousness · Caution · Piety · Godfearing caution · Avoiding doubtful things · Extra care
The meaning
What Wara' means in Islam
The Prophet peace be upon him said the lawful is clear and the unlawful is clear, and between them are doubtful matters, and whoever avoids them has protected his religion, in Bukhari and Muslim. He also said to leave what makes you uneasy for what does not, in a report collected by Tirmidhi. Wara' works one step further out than taqwa, in the grey band. It becomes a problem only when it turns into suspicion of everything and everyone.
Evidence · Sunnah · Established in the authentic Sunnah
Read beside it
Words that sit beside it
- TaqwaAn alert, careful awareness of Allah that keeps a person away from what harms them.التَّقْوَى
- ShubuhatDoubtful matters: the grey band between what is clearly lawful and what is clearly forbidden.الشُّبُهَات
- ZuhdHolding the world loosely: having a thing in your hand without letting it into your heart.الزُّهْد
- WaswasahWhispering: unwanted thoughts thrown at the heart, whether by Shaytan or by the mind itself.الوَسْوَسَة
More from The heart
- 'AfwPardon: dropping a wrong you are owed, without the other person having to earn it.العَفْو
- Ghadd al-BasarLowering the gaze: turning your eyes away from what you are not permitted to look at.غَضُّ البَصَر
- IstighfarAsking Allah for forgiveness, usually in the words astaghfirullah.الاسْتِغْفَار
- MuhasabahTaking account of yourself: a regular, honest review of what you did and why.المُحَاسَبَة
- RidaContentment with what Allah decrees, so the heart stops arguing with what already happened.الرِّضَا
- SihrSorcery: real in its effect, but powerless to harm anyone except by Allah's permission.السِّحْر