قال الله تعالىٰ: {فَٱسۡتَقِمۡ كَمَآ أُمِرۡتَ} [هود: 112] ، وقال تعالىٰ: {إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ قَالُواْ رَبُّنَا ٱللَّهُ ثُمَّ ٱسۡتَقَٰمُواْ تَتَنَزَّلُ عَلَيۡهِمُ ٱلۡمَلَٰٓئِكَةُ أَلَّا تَخَافُواْ وَلَا تَحۡزَنُواْ وَأَبۡشِرُواْ بِٱلۡجَنَّةِ ٱلَّتِي كُنتُمۡ تُوعَدُونَ * نَحۡنُ أَوۡلِيَآؤُكُمۡ فِي ٱلۡحَيَوٰةِ ٱلدُّنۡيَا وَفِي ٱلۡأٓخِرَةِۖ وَلَكُمۡ فِيهَا مَا تَشۡتَهِيٓ أَنفُسُكُمۡ وَلَكُمۡ فِيهَا مَا تَدَّعُونَ * نُزُلٗا مِّنۡ غَفُورٖ رَّحِيمٖ} [فصلت: 30 ــ 32] ، وقال تعالىٰ: {إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ قَالُواْ رَبُّنَا ٱللَّهُ ثُمَّ ٱسۡتَقَٰمُواْ فَلَا خَوۡفٌ عَلَيۡهِمۡ وَلَا هُمۡ يَحۡزَنُونَ * أُوْلَٰٓئِكَ أَصۡحَٰبُ ٱلۡجَنَّةِ خَٰلِدِينَ فِيهَا جَزَآءَۢ بِمَا كَانُواْ يَعۡمَلُونَ} [الأحقاف: 13ــ 14].
Allah Almighty says: {So stay on a straight path as you have been commanded} [Surat Hūd: 112] Allah Almighty also says: {Those who say, “Our Lord is Allah,” then remain steadfast, the angels will descend upon them [at the time of death, saying], “Do not fear, nor grieve, but receive glad tidings of Paradise which you were promised. We are your allies in the life of this world and in the Hereafter. You will have therein whatever your souls desire, and you will have therein whatever you ask for, a hospitality from the All-Forgiving, the Most Merciful One.”} [Surat Fussilat: 30-32] Allah Almighty also says: {Indeed, those who say, “Our Lord is Allah”, then remain steadfast, they will have no fear, nor will they grieve. They are the people of Paradise; abiding therein forever, as a reward for what they used to do.} [Surat al-Ahqāf: 13-14]
1) الاستقامة عَلىٰ دين الله لابد فيها من الاعتدال في كل شيء؛ فلا زيادة ولا نقصان ولا تبديل ولا تغيير.
1) Steadfastness upon the religion of Islam requires moderation in all aspects, without adding anything, removing anything, or making any alterations to it.
2) البشرىٰ العظيمة لأهل الاستقامة في الدنيا والآخرة.
2) It gives those who are steadfast great glad tidings in this life and the Hereafter.
1/85 ــ وَعَنْ أَبِي عَمْرٍو، وَقِيلَ: أَبي عَمْرةَ، سُفْيَانَ بْنِ عَبْدِ الله رضي الله عنه قَالَ: قُلْتُ: يَا رَسُولَ الله، قُلْ لِي فِي الإسْلاَمِ قَوْلاً لا أَسْأَلُ عَنْهُ أَحَداً غَيْرَكَ، قَالَ: «قُلْ: آمَنْتُ بِالله، ثُمَّ اسْتَقِمْ». رَوَاهُ مُسْلِم.
85/1- Abu ‘Amr – or Abu ‘Amrah – Sufyān ibn ‘Abdullah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that he said: “O Messenger of Allah, tell me something about Islam that I can ask none but you.” He (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said: “Say: I believe in Allah, then be steadfast.” [Narrated by Muslim]
1) الإيمان لا يكفي فيه نطق اللسان، ولكن يجب أن يصدقه القيام بالأعمال الصالحة.
1) Faith requires more than the word of the mouth as it should be verified with good deeds.
2) الاستقامة لا تكون إلَّا بعد الإيمان باطناً وظاهراً.
2) Steadfastness is not achieved except after attaining faith inwardly and outwardly.
2/86 ــ وَعَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ رضي الله عنه قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ الله صلى الله عليه وسلم : «قَارِبُوا وَسَدِّدُوا، وَاعْلَمُوا أنَّهُ لَنْ يَنْجُوَ أَحَدٌ مِنكُمْ بِعَمَلِهِ»، قَالُوا: وَلاَ أَنْتَ يَا رَسُولَ الله ؟ قَالَ: «وَلاَ أَنا إِلَّا أَنْ يَتَغَمَّدَنِيَ الله بِرَحْمَةٍ مِنْهُ وَفَضْلٍ». رَوَاه مُسْلِم.
86/2 - Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said: “Adopt a moderate course and be upright; and keep in mind that none of you will be saved by his deeds.” They said: “Not even you, O Messenger of Allah?” He said: He said: “Not even me, unless Allah bestows on me His Mercy and Grace.” [Narrated by Muslim]
وَ«الْمُقَارَبَةُ»: الْقَصْدُ الَّذِي لا غْلُوَّ فِيهِ وَلاَ تَقْصِيرَ، وَ«السَّدَادُ»:الاسْتِقَامَةُ وَالإصَابَةُ، و«يَتَغَمَّدَني» يُلْبسُني وَيَسْتُرني.
Moderate: means seeking one’s goal with neither extremism nor negligence. -- --
قَالَ الْعُلَمَاءُ: مَعْنَىٰ الاسْتِقَامَةِ: لُزوم طَاعَةِ الله تَعَالَى، وقَالُوا: وَهِيَ مِنْ جَوَامعِ الْكَلِمِ، وَهِيَ نِظَامُ الأمُورِ، وَبالله التَّوْفِيق.
Scholars said that the meaning of steadfastness (Istiqāmah) is adherence to the obedience of Allah Almighty. They also said that it is an inclusive and a regulator for all of one’s deeds. And success is granted only by Allah.
1) الاستقامة عَلىٰ حسب الاستطاعة، ولا يكلف الله نفساً إلَّا وسعها.
1) Steadfastness is dependent on personal capability, as Allah does not charge a soul beyond its ability.
2) إن العبد مهما بلغ من المرتبة والولاية، فإن عمله وحده لن ينجيه، ولكن هذا العمل يكون سبباً في تغمد الله له برحمته، ونجاته من النار.
2) No matter what status or rank a person reaches in good-doing, his deeds alone will not save him. However, those deeds shall be a cause to gain Allah’s mercy and salvation from hellfire.
3) علىٰ العبد أن لا يعجب بنفسه وعمله، وعليه الخضوع لله _عز وجل_ رب العالمين.
3) The individual must not admire his self or deeds but rather submit to Allah, Glorified and Exalted, the Lord of the worlds.
4) فضل الصحابة رضي الله عنهم؛ فهم أحرص الناس عَلىٰ العلم، كانوا لا يتركون شيئاً يحتاجون إليه في أمور دينهم إلَّا سألوا عَنْهُ وامتثلوه. فوجب علينا إتباع سننهم، واقتفاء آثارهم، والنظر في أحوالهم، ومتابعتهم بها.
4) It shows the excellence of the Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) for they were the most keen to seek knowledge and would not spare any chance to learn about their religion. They used to ask whenever they need and follow it with adherence. Therefore, we must follow their example and learn about their deeds to find inspiration therein.