12.1, Uprightness and Steadfastness

In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful, Who says in the Qur’an,

"Verily, those who say: 'Our Rabb is Allah (Alone),' and then they stand firm, on them the angels will descend (at the time of their death) (saying): 'Fear not, nor grieve! But receive the glad tidings of Paradise which you have been promised!

'We have been your friends in the life of this world and are (so) in the Hereafter. Therein you shall have (all) that your inner-selves desire, and therein you shall have (all) for which you ask.

'An entertainment from (Allah), the Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.'

And who is better in speech than he who invites to Allah and does righteous deeds, and says, 'I am one of the Muslims.'" (41:30-33)

The topic of this article is the mark of perfect of faith; uprightness and steadfastness. I intend to cover this topic in two parts: In the first part, to highlight the need to couple faith with actions. In the second part, to make clear that there is another element beyond faith and actions that is necessary to achieve salvation.

Sufyaan bin 'Abdullah (RA) reported: I said, "O Messenger of Allah, tell me something of Islam which I will not ask anyone else about it."

He (SAW) said, "Say, 'I believe in Allah' and then be steadfast." (Muslim)

The advice here is twofold: Firstly, to express belief in Allah and, secondly, to be steadfast upon this belief. But what does this mean, to be steadfast?

Steadfastness means to cling firmly to the instructions of Islam, to do that which we have been commanded to do and to leave that which we have been prohibited from doing, to perform dutifully our obligations and to avoid completely that which is unlawful for us.

It is important to understand that faith is not just an expression of the tongue. Real faith is that which is coupled with practice (i.e. actions). Indeed, the practice of religion is the fruit of faith. Just like a tree that it supposed to bear fruit but does not, has no value, similarly; faith becomes meaningless without practice. Steadfastness is the mark of perfect faith.