What is the Importance of Steadfastness in the Islam?

Answered by Shaykh Abdul Sami‘ al-Yakti

Question

What is the importance of steadfastness in religion, and how can I be steadfast?

Answer

All praise is due to Allah, Lord of the worlds, and blessings and peace be upon the Master of the Messengers, his family, and all his Companions.

Steadfastness (Istiqama) is a word that encompasses the foundations of this religion. It is the true translation and practical application of faith, as stated in the saying of the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him: “Say, ‘I believe in Allah,’ and then be steadfast.”

This was in response to a noble companion who asked for a comprehensive statement about Islam. Thus, the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) summarized the religion in these two words, and from this, we understand their importance and status. To achieve steadfastness, we must follow the path outlined by the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and give him peace): “A servant’s faith does not become upright until his heart becomes upright, and his heart does not become upright until his tongue becomes upright.” This is the straight path of Allah and the right way, and Allah knows best.

Detailed Answer

Steadfastness is a word that encompasses the foundations of this religion. It means that a person should adhere to the straight path and the correct way, which perfects virtues and purifies souls and morals by performing the commanded actions and avoiding the prohibited ones.

Importance 

To understand its reality and grasp its importance in Islam, it suffices to consider what has been said about it in clear verses and authentic, explicit hadiths. Among the most important and comprehensive of these is the hadith of Sufyan ibn Abdullah al-Thaqafi (Allah be pleased with him) who said:

“I said: ‘O Messenger of Allah, tell me something about Islam which I can ask no one but you.’ In another narration: ‘except you’ – He  (Allah bless him and give him peace) said: ‘Say: I believe in Allah, then be steadfast.’” [Muslim]

Qadi Iyad (Allah have mercy on him) said: “This is among the concise statements of the Prophet  (Allah bless him and give him peace) and it corresponds to the saying of Allah: ‘Surely those who say, “Our Lord is Allah,” and then remain steadfast’ [Quran, 46:13], meaning they affirm the oneness of Allah and believe in Him, then remain steadfast without deviating from monotheism and adhere to His obedience, glorified and exalted be He, until they die.” [Nawawi, Sharh Sahih Muslim]

Thus, this hadith – in these two words – encompasses the meanings of all of Islam and faith. The meaning of “Tell me something about Islam that I need ask no one else but you” is: Teach me a statement that comprehensively covers the meanings of Islam and is clear in itself so that it does not require any explanation other than yours, in order that I may act upon it. So the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, responded with: “Say: I believe in Allah, then be steadfast.” Indeed, the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) instructed this noble companion to renew his faith with his tongue, remembering it in his heart, and commanded him to be steadfast in performing acts of obedience and refraining from all transgressions…

This is like Allah’s saying:

“Surely those who say, ‘Our Lord is Allah,’ and then remain steadfast—there will be no fear for them, nor will they grieve. It is they who will be the residents of Paradise, staying there forever, as a reward for what they used to do.” [Quran, 46:13-14]

And His saying: “Surely those who say, ‘Our Lord is Allah,’ and then remain steadfast, the angels descend upon them, (saying,) ‘Do not fear, nor grieve. Rather, rejoice in the good news of Paradise, which you have been promised.’” [Quran, 41:30]

Exegesis

Tabari explains: “Allah, exalted be His remembrance, says: “Surely those who say, ‘Our Lord is Allah”’ affirming Him alone without partner, disassociating themselves from gods and equals, “and then remain steadfast’ on the monotheism of Allah, not mixing Allah’s monotheism with associating others with Him, and adhered to His obedience in what He commands and forbids. Narrated from Anas: The Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, read this verse ‘Those who say, “Our Lord is Allah,” and then remain steadfast.’ He said: The people have said it, then most of them disbelieved. So, whoever says it until he dies upon it, he is among those who are steadfast.” [Bazzar, Musnad al-Bazzar] [Tabari, Tafsir al-Tabari]

Abu Bakr al-Siddiq, may Allah be pleased with him, said about this verse: “Those who say, ‘Our Lord is Allah,’ and then remained steadfast,” they said: ‘Our Lord is Allah’ and then remained steadfast away from sin. He said: You have placed it in a context other than its intended meaning, ‘They said, “Our Lord is Allah,” then remained steadfast’: They did not turn to any god other than Him.”

Ibn ‘Abbas, may Allah be pleased with both of them, was asked: Which verse in the Book of Allah, blessed and exalted, is the most lenient? He said: The saying of Allah: “Surely those who say, ‘Our Lord is Allah,’ and then remain steadfast,” is a testimony that there is no deity except Allah.

Zuhri said: ‘Umar, may Allah be pleased with him, recited this verse on the pulpit then said: ”They remained steadfast, by Allah, in obedience to Allah and did not swerve like the swerving of foxes.” And Abu al-Aaliya said: “Then they remained steadfast,” which means they made their religion and deeds purely for Him. [Ibn Kathir, Tafsir Ibn Kathir; Baghawi, Tafsir al-Baghawi]

Speech, Actions, and Heart

Steadfastness, therefore, relates to speech, actions, and the heart:

• Steadfastness in speech means consistently uttering the word of monotheism, speaking the truth, advising people well, and avoiding ugly and prohibited speech such as backbiting and slander.
• Steadfastness in actions involves persistently engaging in worship, obedience, and good moral conduct.
• Steadfastness in the heart means continually having sincere intentions and determination for good, and purifying the soul from arrogance, vanity, and showing off.

How Can I be Steadfast?

Having understood the meaning, reality, and importance of steadfastness, we return to the other part of the question: How can I be steadfast? We say – with Allah’s guidance – that achieving steadfastness requires effort, diligence, struggling against oneself and Satan, patience, and perseverance in performing acts of obedience and avoiding prohibitions, guarding the heart against bad intentions and thoughts, and the limbs from committing violations. This involves supplicating and imploring Allah for protection and steadfastness, and always being conscious of Allah’s observation, as in the Prophet’s saying, peace and blessings be upon him, about excellence: “That you worship Allah as if you see Him, for if you do not see Him, then surely He sees you.”

The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, has clarified the path of steadfastness, outlined a plan, and set a methodology for achieving it. Anas ibn Malik, may Allah be pleased with him, reported that the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and give him peace) said:

“A servant’s faith does not become upright until his heart becomes upright, and his heart does not become upright until his tongue becomes upright, and no man will enter Paradise whose neighbor is not secure from his misdeeds.” [Ahmad; Bayhaqi, Shu‘ab al-Iman]

Jabir, may Allah be pleased with him, reported:

“We were sitting with the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him; he drew a line like this in front of him and said: ‘This is Allah’s path.’ He then drew two lines to his right and two to his left and said: ‘These are the paths of Satan.’ Then he placed his hand on the middle line and recited the verse: ‘Indeed, that is My Path—perfectly straight. So follow it and do not follow other ways, for they will lead you away from His Way. This is what He has commanded you, so perhaps you will be conscious (of Allah).’” [Quran, 6:153] [Ahmad; Ibn Majah]

Advice

I advise you and myself to heed the Prophet’s advice to the companions about actualizing faith, acting in accordance with it through actions and limbs, following the straight path he has outlined for us, staying away from the path of Satan, maintaining supplication and seeking guidance and steadfastness in it. Indeed, hearts are between two fingers of the Merciful.

Allah knows best.

[Shaykh] Abdul Sami‘ al-Yakti