Introduction (cont.)

Indeed, a person may even take interest claiming that it is difficult to avoid and, therefore, the shareeah must allow it. The Means to Istiqaamah There are many forces and pressures upon a person that attempt to drive him away from the path of istiqaamah. Satan and his allies will do their utmost to make believers stray from the Straight Path. Therefore, before concluding the discussion of this hadith concerning istiqaamah, some of the ways and means that help a person remain along the Straight Path should be mentioned. Briefly stated, the following, Allah willing, are very beneficial to keep a person along the Straight Path:2 (1) Turning to the Quran, reading it attentively and benefiting from its teachings: Reading the Quran strengthens a person's imaan, reminds him of Allah and of the Hereafter. It reminds him of his real purpose in life and the fleeting nature of this world. All of these aspects are very important in helping a person stay along the Straight Path. They will make the person realize that there is nothing in this world that is so desirable or necessary that one should risk straying from the Straight Path. Furthermore, reading the Quran will show the person what the Straight Path actually is so that he may avoid swerving by avoiding innovations, heresies and incorrect beliefs or practices. (2) Continually checking oneself and reviewing one's deeds: Allah has said in the Quran, g ಹ l II i '-:;-\/ ..liJ : /J ! '' ๣--. 7.::1-- I\ i '-:;-\ i ?" r F :JI 1:K.L ഷJ ;' / C.-0 സ J ഹ .r-4 M N/ Þ - 1 Recorded by Ahmad, al-Nasaai, ibn Maajah and al-Haakim. According to al-Albaani, it is sahih. See al-Albaani, sahih al-Jaami, vol. 1, p. 522. 2 For more details, one may consult Muhammad Saalih al-Munajjid, Wasaail al-Thibaat ala Deen Allah (Riyadh: Daar al-Watn, 141 1 A.H.), passim; Abdullah al-Jarallah, Al-Istiqaamah (Makkah: Daar al-Thiqah, 1410 A.H.), pp. 35-42. Commentary on the Forty Hadith of al-Nawawi "O believers! Fear Allah and keep your duty to Him. And let every person look to what he has sent forth for the morrow, and fear Allah. Verily, Allah is All­ Aware of what you do" (al-Hashr 1 8). It has also been reported that Umar ibn al-Khattaab stated, "Reckon yourself before you are reckoned and weigh yourself before you are weighed." (3) Striving to improve oneself: Everyone should keep in mind that his deeds are not sufficient for the reward of Paradise in the Hereafter. In addition to performing the proper deeds, the person must strive after Allah's mercy and grace. If this idea is firm in a person's mind, he will not be content with the deeds that he is performing. Instead, he will always seek to do even better, especially better in quality and with respect to sincere intention. (4) Sincerely supplicating to Allah: For example, when the person says, "Guide us to the Straight Path," in every rakah of his prayers, he should mean that sincerely. He should think about what he is saying and ask for it with full conviction and hope. (5) Acquiring sound Islamic knowledge: This is one of the keys to avoiding innovations and straying from the Straight Path. It is only through sound Islamic knowledge that one can first recognize the Straight Path that he is trying to adhere to from all of the other paths. (6) Studying and following the examples of the earlier prophets: Satan tried his best to make the prophets stray from their mission. Allah has shown their examples in the Quran and how they responded. This should make the heart of the believer firmer in belief and make it easier for him to adhere to the Straight Path. Allah has said, ; o.:ci  !1;1.;-j |;1_p ச l വ ଵ/;  йк\ ~r Lj lj Z [j ., ., JJ ,,.. • ,., j}l\]}'^j _`j ଗ\ "And all that we relate to you of the news of the messengers is in order that We may make strong and firm your heart thereby. And in this has come to you the Truth, as well as an admonition and a reminder for the believers" (Hood 120). (7) Sticking to the Islamic Community and associating with pious people: The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, ,,, ,,, o o'/J J J J ײ ,,.., ,,.. o J ,.. ,,, ஜLlJI ஛jJ\ Yti ੖¤ ੗L:;J੘ ଎ "You must stick to the congregation for the wolf eats the sheep that is off by itself. "1 1 Recorded by Ahmad, al-Nasaai and Abu Dawood. According to al-Albaani, it is hasan. See al­ Albaani, sahih al-Jaami, vol. 2, p. 994. In Sunan al-Nasaai, one of the narrators, al-Saaib, stated that "the congregation" here means the congregation in prayer.