Riyad as-Salihin · Chapter 8

Uprightness and Steadfastness

باب الاستقامة

This short chapter is about al-istiqamah, standing straight on the path of faith: declaring belief in Allah and then holding firm to it through everything that follows. It is the steady walk of a believer who does not swerve once the direction is set.

The two hadith here balance each other: one tells us the whole of religion can be summed up as believe and then be steadfast, while the other reminds us that even our most upright striving does not earn Paradise by itself; it is Allah's mercy that admits us. Effort and humility walk together.

Hadith 85

Sufyan bin 'Abdullah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported:

وعن أبي عمرو، وقيل‏:‏ أبي عمرة سفيان بن عبد الله رضي الله عنه قال‏:‏ قلت‏:‏ يا رسول الله قل لي في الإسلام قولاً لا أسأل عنه أحداً غيرك‏.‏ قال‏:‏ ‏ "‏قل آمنت بالله‏:‏ ثم استقم‏" ‏ ‏(‏‏(‏رواه مسلم‏)‏‏)‏‏.‏

I said, "O Messenger of Allah, tell me something of Islam which I will not ask anyone else about it." He (ﷺ) said, "Say, 'I believe in Allah' and then be steadfast". [Muslim].

In plain words

Asked for one defining teaching, the Prophet said: declare belief in Allah, then hold firmly to it. Faith followed by steadfastness sums up the whole religion.

Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 85 In-book reference : Introduction, Hadith 85

Hadith 86

Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported:

وعن أبي هريرة رضي الله عنه ‏:‏ قال‏:‏ قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم قاربوا وسددوا، واعلموا أنه لن ينجو أحد منكم بعمله‏"‏ قالوا‏:‏ ولا أنت يا رسول الله ‏؟‏ قال‏:‏ ‏"‏ولا أنا إلا أن يتغمدنى الله برحمة منه وفضل‏"‏ ‏(‏‏(‏رواه مسلم‏)‏‏)‏‏.‏

Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "Follow the Right Path of Faith strictly, and be steadfast; and keep in mind that none of you can achieve salvation through his (good) actions." Someone asked, "Not even you, O Messenger of Allah?" He (ﷺ) said, "Not even me, unless Allah grants me His Mercy and Grace". [Muslim].

In plain words

Strive to stay on the straight path, yet remember that no one, not even the Prophet, enters Paradise by deeds alone without Allah's mercy. Effort and humble reliance on His grace go together.

Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 86 In-book reference : Introduction, Hadith 86