The Reality of Steadfastness - Shaykh ‘Abd al-‘Azīz ibn Bāz
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Shaykh ʿAbd al-ʿAzīz b. ʿAbd Allāh b. Bāz - May Allāh have mercy upon him - Mentioned:
It is proven that the Prophet - ﷺ - was asked by a questioner who said: “O Messenger of Allāh tell me something about Islām that I will not ask anyone about except you”. He said: “Say: I believe in Allāh, then be steadfast”.
Saying ‘I believe in Allāh’ means: I believe in Allāh and believe that He is my Lord and the one truly deserving of my worship. Then he should be steadfast in obeying Allāh and singling out worship for Allāh alone by performing obligations and abandoning what Allāh has forbidden, as Allāh Almighty said:
إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ قَالُوا۟ رَبُّنَا ٱللَّهُ ثُمَّ ٱسْتَقَـٰمُوا۟ تَتَنَزَّلُ عَلَيْهِمُ ٱلْمَلَـٰٓئِكَةُ أَلَّا تَخَافُوا۟ وَلَا تَحْزَنُوا۟ وَأَبْشِرُوا۟ بِٱلْجَنَّةِ ٱلَّتِى كُنتُمْ تُوعَدُونَ
Verily, those who say: "Our Lord is Allâh (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! [Sūrah Fuṣṣilat:30]
* - In Arabic Istaqâmû: Stand firm i.e. they followed (really) the religion of Islamic Monotheism, believed in the Oneness of Allâh, and worshipped none but Him (Alone), and performed all that was ordained by Allâh (good deeds) and abstained from all that was forbidden by Allâh (sins and evil deeds).
So, the person believes in Allāh, meaning: he singles out Allāh and specifies Him in worship, and he bears witness and affirms the message of the Messenger - ﷺ - and believes in him. Then, he submits with obedience to Allāh and adheres to it by performing Allāh’s obligations and abandoning Allāh’s prohibitions. This is steadfastness. Yes.
Translation by AMMAN CIRCLE Editorial
