Istiqamat or stability in Deen

We must do good deeds and for these good deeds to have its desired effect, we must do it regularly. Let’s say if one day, we took a book and we read something, so this is something very beneficial. However, it would be really beneficial if we do it every day. To do something every day and regularly without missing it out is called Istiqamat. The ‘Ulama say that Istiqamat or stability or punctuality on some good deed is worth more than 1000 Karaamat (miracle). This is because lifting a weight of 200-300 pounds for 2-3 seconds is very easy. Many people can do it. But holding a weight of 1/2 pound regularly is very difficult. It is like spending only one night in Ibaadah once in a while. This is so easy that a person, who has never performed Salah in his life, can also perform it without any difficulty. And yet, many people find it difficult to perform 2 Rak'aat of Fajr or 4 Rak'aat of Isha every day.

When Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Alaihi Wasallam) did something, he liked to do it regularly. That is why he has recommended us to adopt the supplementary Ibaadat in such a quantity that does not become a burden in the long run. According to Allaamah Bin Hajar Asqalani:

"We have to adopt the supplementary Ibaadat gradually. We do this Ibaadah for a considerable amount of time until it enters our system and we have adapted to it before increasing it. It is in this way that we can get Istiqamat in Ibaadah.

If we want to get Istiqamat in Tilawat-ul-Qur’an, we should start reciting such a quantity of Tilawat-ul-Qur’an that will not become a burden in the long run. We may even start by reading one page only, but we should do it daily. Similarly, we should take out 5-10 minutes every day to do Zikrullah. However, we should do it daily. When this habit will be instilled in us, we will do it in great amounts regularly without finding it difficult.

The drunkards had never become drunkard by drinking a bottle of whisky all at once. They had started by drinking a little amount of beer. This small amount turned it into a funnel today. This is a خمار (intoxication) in Dunya. If we want to get خمار in Deen, we should start a little at a time and gradually increase it. This is how we will get Istiqamat in Deen. In this way, we refrain from practicing Deen inconsistently.

[English version of "Istiqaamat ou stabilité dans deen" – Al Jamiat – Vol.3 No.5]