ISTIQAMAH

hadith 21

On the authority of Abu 'Amr, though others call him Abu 'Amrah Sufyan bin 'Abdullah, radiyallahu anhu, who said:

I said: "O Messenger of Allah, tell me something about Islam which I could not ask anyone but you." He answered: "Say: 'I believe in Allah', and then stand firm and steadfast (istiqamah)." (HR muslim)

The literal meaning of "Istiqamah" is to go straight into the right direction, acting rightly, allowing no deviation. It is derived from the stem "Qiyyam", which implies the continuity of doing something, following up with it and making sure that it is done in the right way and there is neither deviation nor swerving.

http://fortyhadith.iiu.edu.my/hadith21.htm

this hadith shows that islam is about believe in Allah (iman) and our actions in fulfilling His obligations (amal). our deen (religion) is imperfect without any of those element. they complement each other. the actions depict how strength or iman is in our heart and how far we submit ourselves to Allah SWT. it is undeniable that our iman can easily be weakened by negative influences. that's why we have to renew it regularly by always remembering Him, reflecting upon His magnificient signs, understanding His words in the Quran (by heart and aqal) and many other ways. to bring ourselves closer to Him is one thing, but to sustain it is even harder. that's why we have to strongly avoid even a slight negative desire or influence from entering our heart. be steadfast and stand firm on the right path commanded by Him. fulfill His obligations and avoid His prohibitions while stay away from any alluring deviations. keep your eyes and heart on your real destination (ie the Hereafter) all the time and ignore those attractions around you.

فَاسْتَقِمْ كَمَآ أُمِرْتَ وَمَن تَابَ مَعَكَ وَلاَ تَطْغَوْاْ إِنَّهُ بِمَا تَعْمَلُونَ بَصِيرٌ

So stand (ask Allah to make) you firm and straight as you are commanded and those who turn in repentance with you, and transgress not. Verily, He is All-Seer of what you do (11:112)

"So unto this then invite (people), and stand firm as you are commanded, and follow not their desires…"

(42:15)

may Allah bless you always