Taqwa, it's root and alternatives

Waqa [root: ي ق و]

I waqahu وقاه to preserve (ھsomething) ; to take good of (ھsomething); to be cautious of (something); to safeguard, shield, shelter, preserve, protect, keep ( ھ ه someone from); to guard (ھ ه someone against); to protect, offer or afford protection (ھ against); to prevent, obviate (ھ a danger); to preserve (a thing) against any harm or injury or damage.

VIII ittaqa اتقى to preserve or guard oneself exceedingly or extraordinarily; to put a thing between oneself and another to preserve or guard oneself ; to take as a shield.

وقى waqy protection; safeguard

وقاء waqa, wiqa protection; prevention

وقاية wiqaya(tun) a preservative

واق waaqin preserving; guarding; protecting; preventive; preservative; guardian; protector :

لَّهُمۡ عَذَابٌ۬ فِى ٱلۡحَيَوٰةِ ٱلدُّنۡيَا‌ۖ وَلَعَذَابُ ٱلۡأَخِرَةِ أَشَقُّ‌ۖ وَمَا لَهُم مِّنَ ٱللَّهِ مِن وَاقٍ۬
For them is a torment in the life of this world, and certainly, harder is the torment of the Hereafter. And they have no Waq (defender or protector) against Allah.13:34

وَكَذَٲلِكَ أَنزَلۡنَـٰهُ حُكۡمًا عَرَبِيًّ۬ا‌ۚ وَلَٮِٕنِ ٱتَّبَعۡتَ أَهۡوَآءَهُم بَعۡدَمَا جَآءَكَ مِنَ ٱلۡعِلۡمِ مَا لَكَ مِنَ ٱللَّهِ مِن وَلِىٍّ۬ وَلَا وَاقٍ۬
And thus have We sent it (the Qur'an) down to be a judgement of authority in Arabic. Were you (O Muhammad صلى الله عليه و سلم) to follow their (vain) desires after the knowledge which has come to you, then you will not have any Wali (protector) or Waq (defender) against Allah. 13:37

أَوَلَمۡ يَسِيرُواْ فِى ٱلۡأَرۡضِ فَيَنظُرُواْ كَيۡفَ كَانَ عَـٰقِبَةُ ٱلَّذِينَ كَانُواْ مِن قَبۡلِهِمۡۚ كَانُواْ هُمۡ أَشَدَّ مِنۡہُمۡ قُوَّةً۬ وَءَاثَارً۬ا فِى ٱلۡأَرۡضِ فَأَخَذَهُمُ ٱللَّهُ بِذُنُوبِہِمۡ وَمَا كَانَ لَهُم مِّنَ ٱللَّهِ مِن وَاقٍ۬
Have they not travelled in the land and seen what was the end of those who were before them? They were superior to them in strength, and in the traces (which they left) in the land. But Allah seized them with punishment for their sins. And none had they to protect them from Allah. 40:21

The meanings of the root wa-qaf-ya و ق ي is demonstrated in 16:81, where garments are mentioned as a means for protection from heat, and coats of armour for protection in fighting.

وَٱللَّهُ جَعَلَ لَكُم مِّمَّا خَلَقَ ظِلَـٰلاً۬ وَجَعَلَ لَكُم مِّنَ ٱلۡجِبَالِ أَڪۡنَـٰنً۬ا وَجَعَلَ لَكُمۡ سَرَٲبِيلَ تَقِيڪُمُ ٱلۡحَرَّ وَسَرَٲبِيلَ تَقِيكُم بَأۡسَڪُمۡ‌ۚ كَذَٲلِكَ يُتِمُّ نِعۡمَتَهُ ۥ عَلَيۡڪُمۡ لَعَلَّكُمۡ تُسۡلِمُونَ
And Allah has made for you out of that which He has created shades, and has made for you places of refuge in the mountains, and has made for you garments to protect you from the heat (and cold), and coats of mail to protect you from your (mutual) violence. Thus does He perfect His Favour unto you, that you may submit yourselves to His Will (in Islam). (16:81)

Protection from soo-al-azab is mentioned in:

أَفَمَن يَتَّقِى بِوَجۡهِهِۦ سُوٓءَ ٱلۡعَذَابِ يَوۡمَ ٱلۡقِيَـٰمَةِ‌ۚ وَقِيلَ لِلظَّـٰلِمِينَ ذُوقُواْ مَا كُنتُمۡ تَكۡسِبُونَ
Is he then, who will confront with his face the awful torment on the Day of Resurrection (as he who enters peacefully in Paradise)? And it will be said to the Zalimun (polytheists and wrong-doers): "Taste what you used to earn!" 39:24

Protection from azab-al-jaheem is mentioned in

لَا يَذُوقُونَ فِيهَا ٱلۡمَوۡتَ إِلَّا ٱلۡمَوۡتَةَ ٱلۡأُولَىٰ‌ۖ وَوَقَٮٰهُمۡ عَذَابَ ٱلۡجَحِيمِ
They will never taste death therein except the first death (of this world), and He will save them from the torment of the blazing Fire, 44:56

Protection from azab-as-samoom is mentioned in

فَمَنَّ ٱللَّهُ عَلَيۡنَا وَوَقَٮٰنَا عَذَابَ ٱلسَّمُومِ
"So Allah has been gracious to us, and has saved us from the torment of the Fire. 52:27

Protection from azab-an-naar is mentioned in

وَمِنۡهُم مَّن يَقُولُ رَبَّنَآ ءَاتِنَا فِى ٱلدُّنۡيَا حَسَنَةً۬ وَفِى ٱلۡأَخِرَةِ حَسَنَةً۬ وَقِنَا عَذَابَ ٱلنَّارِ
And of them there are some who say: "Our Lord! Give us in this world that which is good and in the Hereafter that which is good, and save us from the torment of the Fire!" 2:201

Protection from evil (soo’) of the plots of people is mentioned in

فَوَقَٮٰهُ ٱللَّهُ سَيِّـَٔاتِ مَا مَڪَرُواْۖ وَحَاقَ بِـَٔالِ فِرۡعَوۡنَ سُوٓءُ ٱلۡعَذَابِ
So Allah saved him from the evils that they plotted (against him), while an evil torment encompassed Fir'aun's (Pharaoh) people. 40:45

Protection from evil (shar) of a stern, distressful day is mentioned in

فَوَقَٮٰهُمُ ٱللَّهُ شَرَّ ذَٲلِكَ ٱلۡيَوۡمِ وَلَقَّٮٰهُمۡ نَضۡرَةً۬ وَسُرُورً۬ا
So Allâh saved them from the evil of that Day, and gave them Nadhrah (a light of beauty) and joy. 76:11

Protection from niggardliness or being culpably and greedily desirous nafs is mentioned in

وَٱلَّذِينَ تَبَوَّءُو ٱلدَّارَ وَٱلۡإِيمَـٰنَ مِن قَبۡلِهِمۡ يُحِبُّونَ مَنۡ هَاجَرَ إِلَيۡہِمۡ وَلَا يَجِدُونَ فِى صُدُورِهِمۡ حَاجَةً۬ مِّمَّآ أُوتُواْ وَيُؤۡثِرُونَ عَلَىٰٓ أَنفُسِہِمۡ وَلَوۡ كَانَ بِہِمۡ خَصَاصَةٌ۬‌ۚ وَمَن يُوقَ شُحَّ نَفۡسِهِۦ فَأُوْلَـٰٓٮِٕكَ هُمُ ٱلۡمُفۡلِحُونَ
And (it is also for) those who, before them, had homes (in Al-Madinah) and had adopted the Faith, love those who emigrate to them, and have no jealousy in their breasts for that which they have been given (from the booty of Banu An-Nadîr), and give them (emigrants) preference over themselves, even though they were in need of that. And whosoever is saved from his own covetousness, such are they who will be the successful. (59:9),

فَٱتَّقُواْ ٱللَّهَ مَا ٱسۡتَطَعۡتُمۡ وَٱسۡمَعُواْ وَأَطِيعُواْ وَأَنفِقُواْ خَيۡرً۬ا لِّأَنفُسِڪُمۡ‌ۗ وَمَن يُوقَ شُحَّ نَفۡسِهِۦ فَأُوْلَـٰٓٮِٕكَ هُمُ ٱلۡمُفۡلِحُونَ
So keep your duty to Allâh and fear Him as much as you can; listen and obey; and spend in charity, that is better for yourselves. And whosoever is saved from his own covetousness, then they are the successful ones. 64:16
[also see 4:128, 33:19 for niggardliness of nafs]

Protection from the possible harm from the disbelievers is mentioned in

لَّا يَتَّخِذِ ٱلۡمُؤۡمِنُونَ ٱلۡكَـٰفِرِينَ أَوۡلِيَآءَ مِن دُونِ ٱلۡمُؤۡمِنِينَ‌ۖ وَمَن يَفۡعَلۡ ذَٲلِكَ فَلَيۡسَ مِنَ ٱللَّهِ فِى شَىۡءٍ إِلَّآ أَن تَتَّقُواْ مِنۡهُمۡ تُقَٮٰةً۬‌ۗ وَيُحَذِّرُڪُمُ ٱللَّهُ نَفۡسَهُ ۥ‌ۗ وَإِلَى ٱللَّهِ ٱلۡمَصِيرُ
Let not the believers take the disbelievers as Auliyâ (supporters, helpers) instead of the believers, and whoever does that will never be helped by Allâh in any way, except if you indeed fear a danger from them. And Allâh warns you against Himself (His Punishment)[], and to Allâh is the final return. 3:28

Protection from fitna (affliction, tribulation) is mentioned in

وَٱتَّقُواْ فِتۡنَةً۬ لَّا تُصِيبَنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ ظَلَمُواْ مِنكُمۡ خَآصَّةً۬‌ۖ وَٱعۡلَمُوٓاْ أَنَّ ٱللَّهَ شَدِيدُ ٱلۡعِقَابِ
And fear the Fitnah (affliction and trial) which affects not in particular (only) those of you who do wrong (but it may afflict all the good and the bad people), and know that Allâh is Severe in punishment. 8:25

Keeping form evil deeds is mentioned in

وَقِهِمُ ٱلسَّيِّـَٔاتِۚ وَمَن تَقِ ٱلسَّيِّـَٔاتِ يَوۡمَٮِٕذٍ۬ فَقَدۡ رَحِمۡتَهُ ۥۚ وَذَٲلِكَ هُوَ ٱلۡفَوۡزُ ٱلۡعَظِيمُ
"And save them from (the punishment, for what they did of) the sins, and whomsoever You save from (the punishment for what he did of) the sins (i.e. pardon him) that Day, him verily, You have taken into mercy." And that is the supreme success. 40:9

Guarding against the Day when all actions will encounter Absolute Justice and no person will avail another, and neither intercession, nor any compensation will be accepted. And no one will be helped (except by their own actions)

وَٱتَّقُواْ يَوۡمً۬ا لَّا تَجۡزِى نَفۡسٌ عَن نَّفۡسٍ۬ شَيۡـًٔ۬ا وَلَا يُقۡبَلُ مِنۡہَا شَفَـٰعَةٌ۬ وَلَا يُؤۡخَذُ مِنۡہَا عَدۡلٌ۬ وَلَا هُمۡ يُنصَرُونَ
And fear a Day (of Judgement) when a person shall not avail another, nor will intercession be accepted from him nor will compensation be taken from him nor will they be helped. 2:48, also see 2:123, 2:281

وَإِذَا قِيلَ لَهُمُ ٱتَّقُواْ مَا بَيۡنَ أَيۡدِيكُمۡ وَمَا خَلۡفَكُمۡ لَعَلَّكُمۡ تُرۡحَمُونَ
And when it is said to them: "Fear of that which is before you (worldly torments), and that which is behind you (torments in the Hereafter), in order that you may receive Mercy (i.e. if you believe in Allâh’s religion - Islâmic Monotheism, and avoid polytheism, and obey Allâh with righteous deeds)."36:45

The verses in which the object of the verb form Ittiqa is An-naar

فَإِن لَّمۡ تَفۡعَلُواْ وَلَن تَفۡعَلُواْ فَٱتَّقُواْ ٱلنَّارَ ٱلَّتِى وَقُودُهَا ٱلنَّاسُ وَٱلۡحِجَارَةُ‌ۖ أُعِدَّتۡ لِلۡكَـٰفِرِينَ
But if you do it not, and you can never do it, then fear the Fire (Hell) whose fuel is men and stones, prepared for the disbelievers. 2:24


وَٱتَّقُواْ ٱلنَّارَ ٱلَّتِىٓ أُعِدَّتۡ لِلۡكَـٰفِرِينَ
And fear the Fire, which is prepared for the disbelievers. 3:131

يَـٰٓأَيُّہَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ قُوٓاْ أَنفُسَكُمۡ وَأَهۡلِيكُمۡ نَارً۬ا وَقُودُهَا ٱلنَّاسُ وَٱلۡحِجَارَةُ عَلَيۡہَا مَلَـٰٓٮِٕكَةٌ غِلَاظٌ۬ شِدَادٌ۬ لَّا يَعۡصُونَ ٱللَّهَ مَآ أَمَرَهُمۡ وَيَفۡعَلُونَ مَا يُؤۡمَرُونَ
O you who believe! Ward off from yourselves and your families against a Fire (Hell) whose fuel is men and stones, over which are (appointed) angels stern (and) severe, who disobey not, (from executing) the Commands they receive from Allâh, but do that which they are commanded. 66:6

The verses in which the object of the verb form ittiqa is Rabb (Allaha)

يَسۡـَٔلُونَكَ عَنِ ٱلۡأَهِلَّةِ‌ۖ قُلۡ هِىَ مَوَٲقِيتُ لِلنَّاسِ وَٱلۡحَجِّ‌ۗ وَلَيۡسَ ٱلۡبِرُّ بِأَن تَأۡتُواْ ٱلۡبُيُوتَ مِن ظُهُورِهَا وَلَـٰكِنَّ ٱلۡبِرَّ مَنِ ٱتَّقَىٰ‌ۗ وَأۡتُواْ ٱلۡبُيُوتَ مِنۡ أَبۡوَٲبِهَا‌ۚ وَٱتَّقُواْ ٱللَّهَ لَعَلَّڪُمۡ تُفۡلِحُونَ
They ask you (O Muhammad SAW) about the new moons. Say: These are signs to mark fixed periods of time for mankind and for the pilgrimage. It is not Al-Birr (piety, righteousness) that you enter the houses from the back but Al-Birr (is the quality of the one) who fears Allâh. So enter houses through their proper doors, and fear Allâh that you may be successful. 2:189
See also 2:194 and 2:196.

Allah will protect Al-Muttaqeen from Azab-al-jaheem

لَا يَذُوقُونَ فِيهَا ٱلۡمَوۡتَ إِلَّا ٱلۡمَوۡتَةَ ٱلۡأُولَىٰ‌ۖ وَوَقَٮٰهُمۡ عَذَابَ ٱلۡجَحِيمِ
They will never taste death therein except the first death (of this world), and He will save them from the torment of the blazing Fire, 44:56

فَـٰكِهِينَ بِمَآ ءَاتَٮٰهُمۡ رَبُّهُمۡ وَوَقَٮٰهُمۡ رَبُّہُمۡ عَذَابَ ٱلۡجَحِيمِ
Enjoying in that which their Lord has bestowed on them, and (the fact that) their Lord saved them from the torment of the blazing Fire. 52:18
Allah is the protector

ٱلَّذِينَ يَحۡمِلُونَ ٱلۡعَرۡشَ وَمَنۡ حَوۡلَهُ ۥ يُسَبِّحُونَ بِحَمۡدِ رَبِّہِمۡ وَيُؤۡمِنُونَ بِهِۦ وَيَسۡتَغۡفِرُونَ لِلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ رَبَّنَا وَسِعۡتَ ڪُلَّ شَىۡءٍ۬ رَّحۡمَةً۬ وَعِلۡمً۬ا فَٱغۡفِرۡ لِلَّذِينَ تَابُواْ وَٱتَّبَعُواْ سَبِيلَكَ وَقِهِمۡ عَذَابَ ٱلۡجَحِيمِ
Those (angels) who bear the Throne (of Allâh) and those around it glorify the praises of their Lord, and believe in Him, and ask forgiveness for those who believe (in the Oneness of Allâh) (saying): "Our Lord! You comprehend all things in mercy and knowledge, so forgive those who repent and follow Your Way, and save them from the torment of the blazing Fire!40:7

Al-Muttaqeen are the protected:

فَمَنَّ ٱللَّهُ عَلَيۡنَا وَوَقَٮٰنَا عَذَابَ ٱلسَّمُومِ
"So Allâh has been gracious to us, and has saved us from the torment of the Fire. 52:27

The phrase Ittaqoo-(A)llah cannot be rendered as ‘protect or guard yourself from Allah’, since Allah is not to be protected from but He is the Protector and the Guardian as 44:56

لَا يَذُوقُونَ فِيهَا ٱلۡمَوۡتَ إِلَّا ٱلۡمَوۡتَةَ ٱلۡأُولَىٰ‌ۖ وَوَقَٮٰهُمۡ عَذَابَ ٱلۡجَحِيمِ
They will never taste death therein except the first death (of this world), and He will save them from the torment of the blazing Fire, 44:56

and 52:18 indicate.

فَـٰكِهِينَ بِمَآ ءَاتَٮٰهُمۡ رَبُّهُمۡ وَوَقَٮٰهُمۡ رَبُّہُمۡ عَذَابَ ٱلۡجَحِيمِ
Enjoying in that which their Lord has bestowed on them, and (the fact that) their Lord saved them from the torment of the blazing Fire. 52:18

The correct rendition may be as, ‘Take Allah as your Protector (or Guardian)’. Or it may be ‘Guard or protect yourself against the inevitable harmful consequences of violating Allah’s Commands (by carefully complying with His Guidance)’ .

Taqwa or the protection (from the harmful consequences of violating Allah’s Commands) may be achieved by:

Following the Right Guidance (i.e. the Guidance given in the Quran)

وَٱلَّذِينَ ٱهۡتَدَوۡاْ زَادَهُمۡ هُدً۬ى وَءَاتَٮٰهُمۡ تَقۡوَٮٰهُمۡ
While as for those who accept guidance, He increases their guidance, and bestows on them their piety. 47:17

قُرۡءَانًا عَرَبِيًّا غَيۡرَ ذِى عِوَجٍ۬ لَّعَلَّهُمۡ يَتَّقُونَ
An Arabic Qur'ân, without any crookedness (therein) in order that they may avoid all evil which Allâh has ordered them to avoid, fear Him and keep their duty to Him 39:28

Following Sirat-e-Mutaqeem, as elucidated in the Quran

وَأَنَّ هَـٰذَا صِرَٲطِى مُسۡتَقِيمً۬ا فَٱتَّبِعُوهُ‌ۖ وَلَا تَتَّبِعُواْ ٱلسُّبُلَ فَتَفَرَّقَ بِكُمۡ عَن سَبِيلِهِۦ‌ۚ ذَٲلِكُمۡ وَصَّٮٰكُم بِهِۦ لَعَلَّڪُمۡ تَتَّقُونَ
"And verily, this (i.e. Allâh's Commandments mentioned in the above two Verses 151 and 152) is my Straight Path, so follow it, and follow not (other) paths, for they will separate you away from His Path. This He has ordained for you that you may become Al-Muttaqûn (the pious - see V.2:2)." 6:153

Rendering Ibada to Allah (i.e. compliance with the Commands of Allah in all walks of life)

يَـٰٓأَيُّہَا ٱلنَّاسُ ٱعۡبُدُواْ رَبَّكُمُ ٱلَّذِى خَلَقَكُمۡ وَٱلَّذِينَ مِن قَبۡلِكُمۡ لَعَلَّكُمۡ تَتَّقُونَ
O mankind! Worship your Lord (Allâh), Who created you and those who were before you so that you may become Al-Muttaqûn 2:21

[See also 5:8, 6:51, 7:171]

The phrase Ittaqoo-Allah may also be rendered as:

‘Take Allah as a Protector (or Guardian) against the harms of this life and the hereafter [such harms as are mentioned in

أَفَمَن يَتَّقِى بِوَجۡهِهِۦ سُوٓءَ ٱلۡعَذَابِ يَوۡمَ ٱلۡقِيَـٰمَةِ‌ۚ وَقِيلَ لِلظَّـٰلِمِينَ ذُوقُواْ مَا كُنتُمۡ تَكۡسِبُونَ
Is he then, who will confront with his face the awful torment on the Day of Resurrection (as he who enters peacefully in Paradise)? And it will be said to the Zalimun (polytheists and wrong-doers): "Taste what you used to earn!" 39:24

لَا يَذُوقُونَ فِيهَا ٱلۡمَوۡتَ إِلَّا ٱلۡمَوۡتَةَ ٱلۡأُولَىٰ‌ۖ وَوَقَٮٰهُمۡ عَذَابَ ٱلۡجَحِيمِ
They will never taste death therein except the first death (of this world), and He will save them from the torment of the blazing Fire, 44:56

فَـٰكِهِينَ بِمَآ ءَاتَٮٰهُمۡ رَبُّهُمۡ وَوَقَٮٰهُمۡ رَبُّہُمۡ عَذَابَ ٱلۡجَحِيمِ
Enjoying in that which their Lord has bestowed on them, and (the fact that) their Lord saved them from the torment of the blazing Fire. 52:18

And also in: 52:27, 2:201, 3:16, 40:45, 76:11, 59:9, 64:16, 3:28, 8:25, 2:48, 2:123, 2:281, 2:24, 3:131, 66:6] by complying with His Guidance with full care and attention [because the compliance results in taqwa

يَـٰٓأَيُّہَا ٱلنَّاسُ ٱعۡبُدُواْ رَبَّكُمُ ٱلَّذِى خَلَقَكُمۡ وَٱلَّذِينَ مِن قَبۡلِكُمۡ لَعَلَّكُمۡ تَتَّقُونَ
O mankind! Worship your Lord (Allâh), Who created you and those who were before you so that you may become Al-Muttaqûn 2:21

وَٱلَّذِينَ ٱهۡتَدَوۡاْ زَادَهُمۡ هُدً۬ى وَءَاتَٮٰهُمۡ تَقۡوَٮٰهُمۡ
While as for those who accept guidance, He increases their guidance, and bestows on them their piety. 47:17

And also in 39:28, 6:153)]’

Or in short:

‘Take Allah as your Guardian against the harms of this life and the hereafter by complying with His Guidance with full care and attention’

In 19:85-86,

يَوۡمَ نَحۡشُرُ ٱلۡمُتَّقِينَ إِلَى ٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنِ وَفۡدً۬ا (٨٥) وَنَسُوقُ ٱلۡمُجۡرِمِينَ إِلَىٰ جَهَنَّمَ وِرۡدً۬ا
The Day We shall gather the Muttaqûn (pious and righteous Persons - see V.2:2) unto the Most Gracious (Allâh), like a delegatation (presented before a king for honour). And We shall drive the Mujrimûn (polytheists, sinners, criminals, disbelievers in the Oneness of Allâh) to Hell, in a thirsty state (like a thirsty herd driven down to water), 19:85-86

the word Al-Muttaqeen has been used in contrast to Al-Mujrimeen. So Al-Muttaqeen are never Al-Mujrimeen (i.e. the criminals or, more specifically, the exploiters or those who wrongfully devour the fruits of other’s labour). The word Al-mujrimeen has also been used vs. Al-Muslimeen (i.e. those who submit to the Commands of Allah)

and in 68:35

أَفَنَجۡعَلُ ٱلۡمُسۡلِمِينَ كَٱلۡمُجۡرِمِينَ
Shall We then treat the Muslims (believers of Islamic Monotheism, doers of righteous deeds) like the Mujrimûn (criminals, polytheists and disbelievers)? [68:35].
Hence, Al-Muttaqeen are those who submit to the commands of Allah.

In 19:97,

فَإِنَّمَا يَسَّرۡنَـٰهُ بِلِسَانِكَ لِتُبَشِّرَ بِهِ ٱلۡمُتَّقِينَ وَتُنذِرَ بِهِۦ قَوۡمً۬ا لُّدًّ۬ا
So We have made this (the Qur'ân) easy in your own tongue (O Muhammad SAW), only that you may give glad tidings to the Muttaqûn (pious and righteous persons - See V.2:2), and warn with it the Luda[] (most quarrelsome) people 19:97

the word Al-Muttaqeen has been used vs. Qauman luddan (i.e. those people who are contentious, vehemently opposed, adversaries perverted to the Truth or deaf to the Truth).

In 38:28,

أَمۡ نَجۡعَلُ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ وَعَمِلُواْ ٱلصَّـٰلِحَـٰتِ كَٱلۡمُفۡسِدِينَ فِى ٱلۡأَرۡضِ أَمۡ نَجۡعَلُ ٱلۡمُتَّقِينَ كَٱلۡفُجَّارِ
Shall We treat those who believe (in the Oneness of Allâh — Islâmic Monotheism) and do righteous good deeds, as Mufsidûn (those who associate partners in worship with Allâh and commit crimes) on earth? Or shall We treat the Muttaqûn (pious - see V.2:2), as the Fujjâr (criminals, disbelievers, the wicked)? 38:28

the word Al-Muttaqeen has been used vs. Al-Fujjar (which means here those who disintegrate or lose cohesion with Allah’s Guidance). So Al-Muttaqeen are those who do not lose cohesion but cohere or adhere to or stick to Allah’s Guidance.

In 91:8,

فَأَلۡهَمَهَا فُجُورَهَا وَتَقۡوَٮٰهَا
“Then He showed him what is wrong for him and what is right for him;”
the word taqwa has been used vs. fujoor. Fujoor here means disintegration and decay while taqwa signifies preservation (of nafs against disintegration and decay)

In 13:35,

مَّثَلُ ٱلۡجَنَّةِ ٱلَّتِى وُعِدَ ٱلۡمُتَّقُونَ‌ۖ تَجۡرِى مِن تَحۡتِہَا ٱلۡأَنۡہَـٰرُ‌ۖ أُڪُلُهَا دَآٮِٕمٌ۬ وَظِلُّهَا‌ۚ تِلۡكَ عُقۡبَى ٱلَّذِينَ ٱتَّقَواْ‌ۖ وَّعُقۡبَى ٱلۡكَـٰفِرِينَ ٱلنَّارُ
“The description of the Paradise which the Muttaqûn (pious - see V.2:2): have been promised! -Underneath it rivers flow, its provision is eternal and so is its shade, this is the end (final destination) of the Muttaqûn (pious - see V.2:2), and the end (final destination) of the disbelievers is Fire. (See Verse 47:15)”

the word Al-kafireen has been used vs. those with ittiqa.

In 5:2,

يَـٰٓأَيُّہَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ لَا تُحِلُّواْ شَعَـٰٓٮِٕرَ ٱللَّهِ وَلَا ٱلشَّہۡرَ ٱلۡحَرَامَ وَلَا ٱلۡهَدۡىَ وَلَا ٱلۡقَلَـٰٓٮِٕدَ وَلَآ ءَآمِّينَ ٱلۡبَيۡتَ ٱلۡحَرَامَ يَبۡتَغُونَ فَضۡلاً۬ مِّن رَّبِّہِمۡ وَرِضۡوَٲنً۬ا‌ۚ وَإِذَا حَلَلۡتُمۡ فَٱصۡطَادُواْ‌ۚ وَلَا يَجۡرِمَنَّكُمۡ شَنَـَٔانُ قَوۡمٍ أَن صَدُّوڪُمۡ عَنِ ٱلۡمَسۡجِدِ ٱلۡحَرَامِ أَن تَعۡتَدُواْ‌ۘ وَتَعَاوَنُواْ عَلَى ٱلۡبِرِّ وَٱلتَّقۡوَىٰ‌ۖ وَلَا تَعَاوَنُواْ عَلَى ٱلۡإِثۡمِ وَٱلۡعُدۡوَٲنِ‌ۚ وَٱتَّقُواْ ٱللَّهَ‌ۖ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ شَدِيدُ ٱلۡعِقَابِ
“you who believe! Violate not the sanctity of the Symbols of Allâh, nor of the Sacred Month, nor of the animals brought for sacrifice, nor the garlanded people or animals, and others nor the people coming to the Sacred House (Makkah), seeking the bounty and good pleasure of their Lord. But when you finish the Ihrâm (of Hajj or 'Umrah), you may hunt, and let not the hatred of some people in (once) stopping you from Al-Masjid-Al-Harâm (at Makkah) lead you to transgression (and hostility on your part). Help you one another in Al-Birr and At-Taqwa (virtue, righteousness and piety); but do not help one another in sin and transgression. And fear Allâh. Verily, Allâh is Severe in punishment.”
the word taqwa has been used vs. udwan (i.e. transgressing or exceeding beyond the Divine Limits).

So taqwa is keeping within the Divine Limits.

In 26:90-91,

وَأُزۡلِفَتِ ٱلۡجَنَّةُ لِلۡمُتَّقِين وَبُرِّزَتِ ٱلۡجَحِيمُ لِلۡغَاوِينَ
“And Paradise will be brought near to the Muttaqûn (pious and righteous persons - see V.2:2). (90) And the (Hell) Fire will be placed in full view of the erring. (91)”

the word Al-Muttaqeen is used vs. Al-Ghaveen [i.e. who deviate from the right way by withdrawing from the Revelations of Allah (7:175)]. So Al-Muttaqeen are those who do not withdraw but hold fast to the Revelations of Allah.