Day 14: Be Steadfast!
INTRODUCTION:
Alhamdulillah! We’ve approached the mid-point of Ramadan. If you’re reading this post right now you should express gratitude to Allah. For indeed you’re not better than the one who fell ill along the line or the one who’s been lowered deep in the soil.
The masaajid are becoming desecrated and people are returning to their old ways. Now it’s a time for evaluation — it’s not how far; but how well have the objectives been met. Ask yourself: have you been able to consistently push forth good deeds? How much of the Qur’an have you recited and what portion is left to go? Were you able to give up falsehood in speech while fasting?
The essence of Ramadan is to teach morality and instill piety. I experienced this reality with a brother some days ago. While we were in the middle of a business conversation, he wanted to manipulate a speech. So he cautioned himself saying: ‘astaghfirullah, I’m fasting. I don’t want to waste my efforts’. This sent a chilling messgae down my spine — if we lived everyday like Ramadan, then we will truly live.
INSPIRATION:
Allah (Subhanahu Wa Taala) said in the Qur’an:
"Therefore, stand firm (on the straight path) as you are commanded and those who turn in repentance with you. And do not transgress, for He (Allah) sees well all that you do."
Surah 11[Hud]:112
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 about save you." He answered: "Say: 'I believe in
Allah’, and then stand firm and steadfast."
[Muslim]
REFLECTION:
- Steadfastness is correctness — doing the right thing at the right time consistently.
- A Muslim should be truthful to his tauhid by putting it to action.
- The best of deeds are those which are done consistently no matter how small.
- Steadfastness is a difficult task to achieve. Hence one needs focus and firmness.
- As much as possible, avoid these four factors that hinders steadfastness:
- Al-Masiah: Commiting sins with the hope of repenting without attaining true repentance.
- Ash-Shirk: Associating partners with Allah in all of its forms — either minor or major.
- An-Nifaq: Hypocrisy in all its manifestations and forms.
- Bida’ah: Innovation whether genuine or relative hinders the perfection of good deeds.
CONCLUSION:
Al-Istiqamah (steadfastness) is an important Islamic concept. It’s significance can be seen in our daily lives. It is a requisite for every Muslim to recite Surah al-Fatihah at least seventeen times each day. Through this means, we’re seeking continuous guidance from Allah to grant us istiqamah on the straight path.
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