Introduction (cont.)

After stating the above, al-Qaadhi lyaadh stated, "What we have stated is the explanation of most of the Companions and those who came after them. It is the correct meaning of the hadith, Allah willing."2 One must remain steadfast to the belief in Allah and all that it implies. This includes remaining steadfast to one's belief in the Prophet (peace be upon him) and following his way. It also includes remaining steadfast with respect to the prayers, fasts, pilgrimage and so forth. 3 The Meaning of the Word "then" ( s)4 The meaning of the word "then" in this hadith implies that first one must have the proper belief in Allah. Without this proper belief, the following actions will be of no beneficial consequence. One must first start with this essential foundation. This essential foundation, however, must be followed up by constancy and steadfastness to the essential foundation itself. Both of these are essential and necessary aspects. The proper belief in Allah followed by straying from that belief will be of no benefit to the individual. Similarly, steadfastness to an incorrect or false belief in Allah will also be of no benefit. This is why it is of extreme importance to ensure that one's beliefs about Allah and one's imaan are correct. For a person's deeds to be accepted by Allah, his imaan must first be sound and correct. 5 Another interpretation for "then" in this hadith is that it is in reference to "rank" or merit. In other words, one starts out with the belief in Allah and then one moves on to the higher degree or stage, wherein one has steadfastness and constancy in that belief. 6 1 The correct and true belief in Allah was discussed in detail in the commentary to Hadith Number 2. 2 Quoted in al-Nawawi, Sharh sahih, vol. 1, p. 64. Cf., al-Ubayy, vol. 1, p. 134. 3 lbn Uthaimeen, Sharh Riyaadh, vol. 2, p. 532. 4 Again, it seems that the wording found in Sahih Muslim is ɒI s and not ɒli. 5 Cf., ibn Uthaimeen, Sharh Riyaadh, vol. 2, p. 532. 6 Al-Ubayy, vol. 1, pp. 134-135, offers both explanations without stating any strong preference for either. lbn Uthaimeen, Sharh Riyaadh, vol. 2, p. 532, only offers the first explanation. Hadith #21 : Say, "I believe in Allah and Remain Steadfast" The Implication of the Imperative In this hadith, a believing Muslim has come to the Prophet (peace be upon him) with the hopes of getting comprehensive and clear guidance. In his response, the Prophet (peace be upon him) ordered him to say, "I believe in Allah." What is the meaning of this order directed toward someone who was already a believer? The scholars have offered two responses to this question. The first response is that the Prophet's statement is in the same vein as the Quranic verse directed to the believers, ' 1² JW;· .JI X\; d..l J ;; .&t I Û I; 1-Û;I; : .JI I :h.h.; i...s- .r l..S; : ; J /Y JJ ; :.. ു " ȉ " i:f..; / - п  J)t csY\ L l;-ilj iy) "O believers! Believe in Allah, and His Messenger, and the Book which He has sent down to His Messenger, and the Scripture which He sent down to those before" (al-Nisaa 136). This verse is a command to renew and confirm the faith that one has already possessed. This is what the Prophet (peace be upon him) was telling this Companion in this particular hadith. A second explanation is that the Prophet's response was a message to every human that the key to salvation in the Hereafter is belief in Allah and remaining steadfast in that belief. Hence, the Prophet (peace be upon him) simply used that question as a means to express a general instruction for all of mankind. With respect to the inquiring Companion, the first part was simply a reminder while the second part stressing steadfastness is the message that the Prophet (peace be upon him) wanted to convey to him in particular.1 The Meaning of Jstiqaamah The Prophet (peace be upon him) told his Companion, "Say, 'I believe in Allah,' and then istaqim." Another way of expressing this in English would be, "Say, 'I believe in Allah,' and then have the characteristic of istiqaamah." Like the concept of hayaa' in the previous hadith, the concept of istiqaamah is very important. An in-depth understanding of the concept of istiqaamah will lead to a greater understanding of this hadith .. Lexically, the supplement to Lane's Lexicon has defined the word istiqaam in the following fashion, It became right; direct; in a right state; straight; even; tended toward the right, or desired, point, or object; had a right direction, or tendency; was regular. ຂI "'1.;b ..,le l"w...1 He Personally, this author prefers the first explanation given above, m agreement with ibn Uthaimeen. 1 Cf., al-Baitaar, pp. 1 32-1 33. Commentary on the Forty Hadith of al-Nawawi continued in the way of truth, or the right way ...