أمَرْتُكَ الْخَيْرَ لكِنْ مَّا ائْتَمَرْتُ بِــهِ     وَمَا اسْـتَقَمْتُ فَمَا قَوْلِي لَكَ اسْتَقِمِ

27/15. I command you to do good, but I do not practice (the same); and I did not become steadfast (on Deen/the right path) so, then what is the use (value) of saying to you, “Be steadfast”.

This stanza is an explanation of the preceding stanza.

Generally, a person’s advice has great benefit when he himself acts on it. On the Day of Judgement, a person will not be able to move until he is asked five questions. One of them is regarding the actions he used to do with regards to that which he knew. (Tirmidhi no.2416)

Abu Uthmaan al-Heeri Rahimahullaah states,

وَغَيْرُ تَقِيٍّ يَأْمُرُ النَّاسَ بِالتُّقَى ... طَبِيبٌ يُدَاوِي وَالطَّبِيبُ مَرِيضُ"

An impious person is commanding people towards piety. The doctor is treating others, whilst he himself is sick.
 (Shuabul-Imaan no. 1781/ 6921)

Istiqaamah (steadfastness) has been encouraged in the Quraan and ahaadeeth.

Allaah Jalla Jalaalahoo says,

فَاسْتَقِمْ كَمَا أُمِرْتَ وَمَن تَابَ مَعَكَ

Remain steadfast, then, as you are ordered. (Hood verse 112)

إِنَّ الَّذِينَ قَالُوا رَبُّنَا اللهُ ثُمَّ اسْتَقَامُوا تَتَنَزَّلُ عَلَيْهِمُ الْمَلَائِكَةُ أَلَّا تَخَافُوا وَلَا تَحْزَنُوا وَأَبْشِرُوا بِالْجَنَّةِ الَّتِي كُنتُمْ تُوعَدُونَ نُزُلًا مِّنْ غَفُورٍ رَّحِيمٍ

Surely those who said, ‘Our Sustainer is Allaah’, and then remain steadfast on this, angels descend upon them [saying], ‘Do not fear, nor grieve! And listen to the glad tiding of Paradise which you were promised. We are your companions in this world and in the Hereafter. There is for you therein whatever your souls desire, and there is for you therein whatever you ask for. A hospitality from the Forgiving, the Merciful.’ (Fussilat verse 30-32)

إِنَّ الَّذِينَ قَالُوا رَبُّنَا اللهُ ثُمَّ اسْتَقَامُوا فَلَا خَوْفٌ عَلَيْهِمْ وَلَا هُمْ يَحْزَنُونَ

Surely those who said, ‘Our Sustainer is Allaah’, and then they remained steadfast, so there is neither fear on them nor will they grieve. They are the inhabitants of Paradise, abiding therein forever – as a reward for all that they used to do. (Ahqaaf verse 13-14)

Sufyaan ibn Abdillaah RadhiyAllaahu Anhu narrates that he said,
“O Messenger of Allaah! Tell me something about Islam which I will not ask anyone apart from you.” He replied, “Say, ‘I believe in Allaah’, and then remain steadfast.”
(Muslim no. 38)

Abu Hurayrah RadhiyAllaahu Anhu narrates that Rasulullaah SalAllaahu Alayhi Wasallam said,
“Remain balanced and steadfast. Understand that none of you shall attain salvation solely by his deeds.”
The Sahaabah RadhiyAllaahu Anhum asked, “Not even you, O Messenger of Allaah?”
He replied, “Not even me. Except that Allaah Jalla Jalaalahoo engulfs me with mercy and grace from Him.”
(Muslim no. 2816)

The ulama say that “steadfastness” refers to remaining firm on the obedience of Allaah Jalla Jalaalahoo.

Abdullaah ibn Amr ibn Aas RadhiyAllaahu Anhu narrates,
“Rasulullaah SalAllaahu Alayhi Wasallam said to me, ‘O ‘Abdullaah! Do not be like that person who used to engage in worship at night (tahajjud) and then gave it up.”
(Bukhaari no. 1152, Muslim no. 1159)

A person must have a schedule and practise accordingly. This was the practise of Rasulullaah SalAllaahu Alayhi Wasallam. When Rasulullaah SalAllaahu Alayhi Wasallam would return home, he would divide his time into three portions: one portion for Allaah, one portion for his family members, and one portion for himself. Then he would divide his portion between himself and the people. (Al-Mu’jamul-Kabeer of Tabaraani vol. 22 page 155 no. 414)

Aaishah RadhiyAllaahu Anha narrates that Rasulullaah SalAllaahu Alayhi Wasallam said,
“The most beloved action in the sight of Allaah is that which is done continuously, even though it is less.”
When Aaishah RadhiyAllaahu Anha used to do any action, she held firmly onto it.
(Muslim no.783)

Umar RadhiyAllaahu Anhu said,
“Istiqaamah (steadfastness) means to remain steadfast on the commands and prohibitions, and you do not run around like a fox.”
(Tafseer-Baghawi vol. 2 page 203, Surah Hud)

Abu Ali Daqqaaq Rahimahullaah said, “Be a seeker of steadfastness, not a seeker of miracles, because your nafs wants miracles from you, whereas Your Sustainer wants steadfastness from you.”
Suharwardi Rahimahullaah remarked, “This is an important principle which majority are unmindful of.”
(Faidhul-Qadeer vol. 1 page 634)

A wali was told, “So-and-so walks on water.”
He replied, “Similar is the case with a frog and fish.”
He was then told, “So-and-so flies in the air.”
He remarked, “Flies also fly in the air.”
He was told, “So-and-so travels from east to west in a moment.”
He remarked, “So too does Shaytaan.”
Finally he was asked, “Then what is the sign of acceptance in your sight?”
He replied, “Being steadfast on deen.”

Some sufiyaa have stated,

الِاسْتِقَامَةُ خَيْرٌ مِنْ أَلْفِ كَرَامَةٍ

Steadfastness is better than a thousand miracles.
(Mirqaat vol. 1 page 84)

To be Continued In Sha Allaah

مَوْلَاىَ صَلِّ وَ سَلِّمْ دَائِمًا أَبَداً  عَلىٰ حَبِيْبِكَ خَيْرِ الْخَلْقِ كُلِّهِمِ