Steadfastness: The Key to Paradise

Summary: 

1) A verse mentioned by Allah (s.w.t.) in the noble Qur’an, which emphasises the importance of being consistent in performing virtuous deeds, and avoiding all that Allah (s.w.t.) has prohibited for us.

Allah (s.w.t) said: 

إِنَّ ٱلَّذِینَ قَالُوا۟ رَبُّنَا ٱللَّهُ ثُمَّ ٱسۡتَقَـٰمُوا۟ تَتَنَزَّلُ عَلَیۡهِمُ ٱلۡمَلَـٰۤىِٕكَةُ أَلَّا تَخَافُوا۟ وَلَا تَحۡزَنُوا۟ وَأَبۡشِرُوا۟ بِٱلۡجَنَّةِ ٱلَّتِی كُنتُمۡ تُوعَدُونَ 

Which means: ‘Surely those who say, “Our Lord is Allah,” and then remain steadfast, the angels descend upon them, saying, “Do not fear, nor grieve. Rather, rejoice in the good news of Paradise, which you have been promised.”’ (Surah Fussilat: 30) 

2) Istiqamah, or steadfastness, means that a person tries his best to perform acts of worship consistently, even if those acts are perceived as insignificant in the eyes of people. A small deed, if done consistently, is considered noteworthy and is beloved in the eyes of Allah (s.w.t.). If a righteous deed is done correctly and sincerely, then it will be accepted by Allah (s.w.t.). 

3) It is narrated in a hadith that a Bedouin came to the Prophet (s.a.w.) and asked: “O Messenger of Allah, show me the deeds through which I have the right to enter Paradise.” And so, the Prophet (s.a.w.) said: “Worship Allah (s.w.t.) and do not associate anything with Him, perform the obligatory prayers, pay the zakat that is obligatory on you, and fast during Ramadan.” The Bedouin then responded: “By the One in Whose hand is my soul, I will not add a bit to it, and I will not remove a bit from it.” When he (the Bedouin) turned back, the Prophet (s.a.w.) then said: “Whoever wants to see a man from the people of Paradise should look at him.”

[Hadith narrated by Imam Muslim] 

4) Let us strive to maintain that level of taqwa, or God-consciousness, even after Ramadan. Let us remain steadfast in avoiding Allah's wrath and train ourselves to have a heart that is remorseful and guilty every time we fall into sin. May Allah (s.w.t) continue to guide us in our efforts to remain steadfast in performing righteous deeds.