1 00:00:00,210 --> 00:00:03,669 In the name of Allah, the Entirely Merciful, the Especially Merciful. 2 00:00:03,669 --> 00:00:08,660 Milestones on the path to steadfastness. 3 00:00:10,289 --> 00:00:13,390 The sense of falling short. 4 00:00:13,390 --> 00:00:18,210 Among the means of achieving steadfastness: 5 00:00:18,210 --> 00:00:21,070 A constant sense of falling short. 6 00:00:21,070 --> 00:00:25,269 Especially regarding the higher stations of righteous deeds. 7 00:00:25,269 --> 00:00:27,339 Allah the Exalted says: 8 00:00:27,339 --> 00:00:30,339 "And do not confer favor to acquire more." 9 00:00:30,339 --> 00:00:32,000 And He says: 10 00:00:32,530 --> 00:00:39,829 "And how many a prophet [fought and] with him fought many religious scholars." 11 00:00:39,829 --> 00:00:46,729 “And with how many a prophet have there been a number of devoted men who fought (beside him). They quailed not for aught that befell them in the way of Allah, nor did they weaken, nor were they brought low. Allah loveth the steadfast.” (3:146) 12 00:00:46,729 --> 00:00:50,329 “And with how many a prophet have there been a number of devoted men who fought (beside him). They quailed not for aught that befell them in the way of Allah, nor did they weaken, nor were they brought low. Allah loveth the steadfast.” (3:146) 13 00:00:50,329 --> 00:00:54,130 And Allah loves the steadfast. 14 00:00:54,130 --> 00:00:58,729 “Their cry was only that they said: Our Lord! forgive us for our sins and wasted efforts, make our foothold sure, and give us victory over the disbelieving folk.” (3:147) 15 00:00:58,729 --> 00:01:05,530 "Our Lord, forgive us our sins." 16 00:01:05,530 --> 00:01:08,329 "And the excess [committed] in our affairs." 17 00:01:08,329 --> 00:01:13,730 "And plant firmly our feet." 18 00:01:13,730 --> 00:01:18,930 "And give us victory over the disbelieving people." 19 00:01:18,930 --> 00:01:22,730 “So Allah gave them the reward of the world and the good reward of the Hereafter. Allah loveth those whose deeds are good.” (3:148) 20 00:01:22,730 --> 00:01:25,930 "And the good reward of the Hereafter." 21 00:01:25,930 --> 00:01:32,459 And Allah loves the doers of good. 22 00:01:32,459 --> 00:01:35,459 Ibn al-Qayyim said in Zad al-Ma'ad: 23 00:01:35,459 --> 00:01:41,060 When the people realized that defeat only comes upon them due to their sins, 24 00:01:41,060 --> 00:01:45,659 And that the devil only causes them to slip and defeats them through those sins, 25 00:01:45,659 --> 00:01:47,659 And that sins are of two types: 26 00:01:47,659 --> 00:01:49,459 Falling short in fulfilling a right, 27 00:01:49,459 --> 00:01:51,819 Or transgressing a limit, 28 00:01:51,819 --> 00:01:55,019 And that victory is contingent upon obedience, 29 00:01:55,019 --> 00:01:56,219 They said: 30 00:01:56,219 --> 00:02:01,420 "Our Lord, forgive us our sins and the excess committed in our affairs." 31 00:02:01,420 --> 00:02:04,620 Then they realized that their Lord, Blessed and Exalted is He, 32 00:02:04,620 --> 00:02:07,819 If He does not plant their feet firmly and grant them victory, 33 00:02:07,819 --> 00:02:14,020 They would not be able to plant their own feet firmly or grant themselves victory over their enemies. 34 00:02:14,020 --> 00:02:18,219 So they asked Him for what they knew was in His hand, not theirs. 35 00:02:18,219 --> 00:02:22,219 And that if He did not plant their feet firmly and grant them victory, 36 00:02:22,219 --> 00:02:25,020 They would neither be steadfast nor victorious. 37 00:02:25,020 --> 00:02:28,219 Thus, they gave both stations their due: 38 00:02:28,219 --> 00:02:30,020 The station of the requirement, 39 00:02:30,020 --> 00:02:33,819 Which is monotheism and seeking refuge in Him, Glorified is He. 40 00:02:33,819 --> 00:02:37,219 And the station of removing the obstacle to victory, 41 00:02:37,219 --> 00:02:40,039 Which is sins and excess. 42 00:02:40,039 --> 00:02:43,840 Then He, Glorified is He, warned them against obeying their enemy. 43 00:02:43,840 --> 00:02:48,840 And He informed them that if they obeyed them, they would lose both this world and the Hereafter. 44 00:02:48,840 --> 00:02:53,840 In that is an allusion to the hypocrites who obeyed the polytheists, 45 00:02:53,840 --> 00:02:56,840 When they were victorious and triumphed on the day of Uhud. 46 00:02:56,840 --> 00:03:00,840 Then He, Glorified is He, informed them that He is the Protector of the believers, 47 00:03:00,840 --> 00:03:02,840 And He is the best of helpers. 48 00:03:02,840 --> 00:03:05,840 So whoever takes Him as a protector is the one who is granted victory. 49 00:03:06,669 --> 00:03:10,669 Milestones on the path to steadfastness.