An act that is most beloved to Allah SWT, we ask Him for it at least 17 times per day in our prayers, one who has it will find peace and calamity in anything that he does, it is none other than the concept of Istiqamah.
What is istiqamah?
Istiqamah (استقامة) is an arabic word which is derived from the verb “Istaqaama” (إِسْتَقَامَ) meaning: to be straight, to be consistent. One who is consistent or upon consistency is called al mustaqim (المُسْتَقِيمَ). Such is mentioned in Surah Al Fatiha:
إِهْدِنَا الصِّرَاطَ المُسْتَقِيمَ (6) صِرَاطَ الَّذِينَ أَنْعَمْتَ عَلَيهِمْ غَيرِ المَغْضُوبِ عَلَيهِم وَلاَ الضّالِّينَ (7)
“Guide us to the straight path1 (6) The path of those whom You have bestowed Your Grace, not (the way) of those who earned Your Anger (i.e. those whose intentions are perverted: they know the truth, yet do not follow it), nor of those who went astray (i.e. those who have lost the (true) knowledge, so they wander in error, and are not guided to the truth.(7)”
Surah Al-Fatihah itself is a supplication. Each verse that we read will be answered by Allah. Thus, if we read it in our prayer while pondering its meanings, with the hope that Allah will answer our du’a, it’ll certainly be answered with His will. As Allah said in a hadith qudsi2 regarding Al-Fatihah (verses 6 & 7) :
“Then, when he (the worshipper) says: Guide us to the straight path, the path of those to whom Thou hast been Gracious not of those who have incurred Thy displeasure, nor of those who have gone astray, He (Allah) says: This is for My servant, and My servant will receive what he asks for”3.
When one is walking upon a straight path, it shows that one is not turning right neither left, but rather being steadfast upon the path one is walking in, a path with no distractions, that is having Istiqamah.
The Prophet Muhammad s.a.w highlighted the concept of istiqamah in a Hadith:
“Tell me something about Islam, which I can ask of no one but you.” He (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said, “Say I believe in Allah and then be steadfast.”4.
To believe and then to be steadfast upon it. Seems simple when we read it, but in reality, eventually there will be obstacles and distractions that will slowly divert us from our journey to be steadfast in practising our faith, hence, how do we attain Istiqamah in our lives as a muslim?
Tips to attain Istiqamah
- Make Allah your first priority
It is in human nature to want to feel appreciated by others, and that is normal, sometimes we find ourselves doing something to gain recognition, to However, we have to remember that the more we expect from others, the more disappointed and hurt we will be. When we make Allah our first priority, there is constant motivation, as Allah is our creator who sees our every action, and not a single movement leaves his sight.
The belief in so provides us hope that every effort we put in , will not go to waste. Istiqamah requires constant motivation as it is like a journey, along the way, we may fall and feel that it is difficult to get back up, in such situations, remembering Allah and reminding ourselves that this is to attain his pleasure will drive us to stand and continue to be firm upon this journey of ours.
- Regular Supplications
Supplications is the act of asking from Allah swt, there are many supplications that the prophet ﷺ taught us, amongst which that is continuously read by the prophet ﷺ to ask Allah grant steadfast in Islam is:
يَا مُقَلِّبَ القُلُوبِ، ثَبِّتْ قَلْبِي عَلَى دِينِكَ “O Controller of hearts, make my heart steadfast in Your religion5
Reciting supplications is a humble act, it shows that no matter how righteous or knowledgeable a person is, he needs Allah to guide him in every aspect of his life. Human nature is that we tend to depend on ourselves a lot, thinking that we can do things on our own, forgetting that we are nothing without Allah’s guidance.
- Make Small but Consistent Steps
Having goals gives us a clear idea of what our next movements are. Yes, eventually we want to acheive istiqamah in our belief, but having goals here mean, what are some small steps that you want to take, so that you eventually reach istiqamah?
You can start by practising yourself to do small acts consistently, such as reciting one verse from the Quran everyday, stick to the idea and be consistent with it everyday.
Such act is encouraged by the prophet ﷺ and it is also a deed most beloved to Allah as mentioned in a hadith:
“The acts most pleasing to Allah are those which are done continuously, even if they are small.”6.
- Put Your Trust in Allah
Know that Allah will always be there for you and nothing can happen without his will. Allah helps those who helps Him and promises a huge reward for those who believe in Him. Whenever you face any obstacles or treated differently by others because of your faith, no that they cannot benefit you nor harm you except with what Allah had already prescribed for you, as mentioned in a hadith:
And know that if the nation were to gather together to benefit you with anything, they would not benefit you except with what Allah had already prescribed for you. And if they were to gather together to harm you with anything, they would not harm you except with what Allah had already prescribed against you.7.
The prophet ﷺ was tasked with a responsibility to deliver the message of Islam to people, it was not easy as he was threatened, rejected, and despised by many, but Allah comforted him with a single verse that is:
فَإِن تَوَلَّوْا۟ فَقُلْ حَسْبِىَ ٱللَّهُ لَآ إِلَـٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ ۖ عَلَيْهِ تَوَكَّلْتُ ۖ وَهُوَ رَبُّ ٱلْعَرْشِ ٱلْعَظِيمِ
But if they turn away, then say, ˹O Prophet,˺ “Allah is sufficient for me. There is no god ˹worthy of worship˺ except Him. In Him I put my trust. And He is the Lord of the Mighty Throne.”8.
“Allah is sufficient for me” , to know that Our Creator, The One who is in charge of everything, is by our side, surely that is enough of an affirmation for us to continue upon the straight path, Islam.
May Allah grant us guidance, patience and perseverance in performing good deeds and May Allah keep us firm upon His religion, amin.
Footnotes and References:
- (1) (V. 1:6) Guidance is of two kinds: (a) Guidance of Taufiq (Hidayah Taufiq) which is totally from Allah, i.e. Allah opens one’s heart to receive the truth (from disbelief to belief in Islamic Monotheism). (b) Guidance of Irsyad (Hidayah Irsyad) i.e. through preaching by Allah’s Messengers and the pious preachers who preach the truth i.e. Islamic Monotheism.
- (2) Hadits Qudsi: What is quoted to us from the Prophet ﷺ with his chain of transmission on the authority of his Lord, The Mighty & The Supreme.
- (3) Sahih Muslim 395
- (4) Hadith 21, 40 Hadith an-Nawawi
- (5) Sunan Ibn Majah 3846
- (6) Sahih Muslim 783b
- (7) Hadith 19, 40 Hadith an-Nawawi
- (8) Surah At-Tawbah Verse 129
References
- Ad-Dimasyqi, Abil Fida Ismail bin ‘Umar bin Katsir al-Qurasyi ad-Dimasyqi, Tafsir Al-Quranil ‘Azhim, tahqiq: Daar Ibnu Hazm. First Printing. Bairut: Daar Ibnu Hazm. 2000 M/1420 H
- Ath-Thahhan, Mahmud ath-Thahhan, Taysir Mustholah Hadits, tahqiq: Maktabah Al-Ma’arif, Kuwait: 1985 M/1405 H
