Persistence in attaining Istiqaamah

Persistence in attaining Istiqaamah

from مكتبة الفوائد by EMREEKEESALAFEE

Bissmillahir Rahmanir Rahim

Ash-Shaykh 'Abdul 'Azeez bin Baaz: Persistence in attaining Istiqaamah.

All praise is due to Allah and may peace and salutations be upon the messenger of Allah, his familiy, companions and whoever follows his guidance; as for what follows:

The topic of Istiqaamah (uprightness in the religion) is a magnificent topic. It is suitable for every male and female believer to have a great concern for it, strive in attaining it
at all times, to ask Allah the mighty and sublime (for it) and to implore oneself before him requesting success in achieving it.

And you! Oh slave of Allah, it is incumbent upon you to be dilligent with regards to good, to rush towards it and cling to it. And that you beware of evil and stay far away from it and the means and causes that bring it about. And it is on you to beseech your lord and beg him to grant you assistance and success (in that).

And this dunya (worldly life) is an abode of trials and tribulations. It is the abode of action and preperation for the Aakhirah (next life). So Allah created the creation to worship him, and sent to them messengers, and revealed to them books and has given them intellects, hearing and sight. And he tests them with shayaateen (devils) from mankind and jinn, and (tests them with) lusts and desires.

So that which is obligatory (for us to do) is to use what Allah has given us from protection in leaving off harmful matters from what Allah tests us with by way of callers to evil and from devils both jinn and men.

And this abode is the abode of action, it is not an abode of bliss, rather it is an abode of action and deceit. Allah says: (So do not let the worldly life decieve you, nor let the chief deciever (shaytaan) deceive about Allah) 31:33. The enjoyments therein are minute as Allah says: ( Are you pleased with the life of this world over the hereafter? Little is the enjoyment of the life of this world compared to the hereafter) 9:38.

Therefore it is mandatory upon those who are responsible from the men and women to strive (to attain) Istiqaamah. It's compulsory to pay heed to the truth and act according to it in performing those obligatory duties and forsaking the prohibited ones and the legitimacy of increasing in those recommended acts, because they strengthen and increase one's Eeman. And remaining far from those affairs that could harm the slave even if they are allowed or disliked.

So the slave must work hard in leaving off everything that will harm him and everything that it is feared (from doing this thing) a decrease in righteous actions or negligence in performing them even though they may be mubaah (permitted).

The One free from all imperfections says: (Verily those who say: Our Lord is Allah (Alone)," and then they remain upright (Istiqaamah), on them the angels will descend (at the time of their death) (saying): "Fear not, nor grieve! But receive the glad tidings of Paradise which you have been promised! "We have been your friends in the life of this world and are (so) in the Hereafter. Therein you shall have (all) that your inner-selves desire, and therein you shall have (all) you ask for. "An entertainment from (Allah), the Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.") 41:30-32. Meaning at the time of death, the time of resurrection and in the graves as a favor from Allah to us.

And in Surah al-Ahqaf we read the statement of Allah the mighty and sublime: (Verily those who say: Our Lord is Allah (Alone)," and then they remain upright and firm (Istiqaamah), they shall have no fear nor shall they grieve. Those shall be the dwellers of Paradise, abiding therein forever, a reward for what they used to do.) 46:13-14. And the statement of Allah in Surah an-Nahl: (Whoever works rightousness, whether male or female, while he is a true believer, verily We will give him a good life and We shall certainly pay them a reward in proportion to the best of what they used to do)16:97. A pleasant life in the dunya and bliss in the hereafter.

And may peace and blessings be upon our prophet Muhammad, his family and companions.

Taken from: http://www.binbaz.org.sa/mat/8624
Translated by: Abu Fouzaan Qaasim