21st Hadith - Have faith in Allah and remain Steadfast (Muslim: 38)

الحديث الحادي و العشرون 

عَنْ أَبِي عَمْرو، وَقِيْلَ : أَبِي عَمْرَةَ سُفْيَانُ بْنِ عَبْدِ اللهِ الثَّقَفِي رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْهُ قَالَ : قُلْتُ : يَا رَسُوْلَ اللهِ قُلْ لِي فِي اْلإِسْلاَمِ قَوْلاً لاَ أَسْأَلُ عَنْهُ أَحَداً غَيْرَكَ . قَالَ : قُلْ آمَنْتُ بِاللهِ ثُمَّ اسْتَقِمْ

[رواه مسلم]

21st Hadith - Translation

On the authority of Abu Amr, though others call him Sufyan-Bin-Abdullah Ath-Thaqafi (R.A.) who said:

I said: "O Messenger of Allah, tell me something about Islam which I could not ask anyone about save you." He (S.A.W.) answered: "Say: 'I believe in Allah', and then stand firm and steadfast." (Muslim: 38)

Brief Narration

The literal meaning of "Istiqamah": to go straight into the right direction, acting rightly, allowing no deviation. It is derived from the stem "Qiyyam", which implies the continuity of doing something, following up with it and making sure that it is done in the right way and there is neither deviation nor swerving.

According to Ibn-Al-Qayyim, there are five conditions to achieve “Istiqamah” in performing required deeds:

• The act should be done for the sake of Allah alone (Ikhlas). 
• It should be done on the basis of knowledge (Ilm). 
• Performing “Ibadah” (worshipping Allah and doing good deeds) should be in the same manner that they have been commanded. 
• To do it in the best way possible. 
• Restricting oneself to what is lawful while performing those deeds.  

“Istiqamah” is an important Islamic concept. Its significance can be seen where every Muslim is required to recite Surah Al-Fatihah at least seventeen times each day seeking continual guidance to the straight path from Allah.

  (Reference: Commentary of Forty Hadiths of An-Nawawi by Dr. Jamal Ahmed Badi)