WEBVTT 00:00:00.210 --> 00:00:03.669 In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. 00:00:03.669 --> 00:00:08.560 Signposts on the Path of Steadfastness. 00:00:08.560 --> 00:00:11.970 The Second Requirement: 00:00:11.970 --> 00:00:14.470 The Means of Steadfastness. 00:00:14.470 --> 00:00:21.519 Steadfastness has specific means ordained by Allah in His Book 00:00:21.519 --> 00:00:25.719 and through the words of His Messenger (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him), 00:00:25.719 --> 00:00:30.559 exemplified in the stories of the steadfast among the prophets and messengers, 00:00:30.559 --> 00:00:35.060 as well as the righteous allies of Allah, both early and late. 00:00:35.320 --> 00:00:40.310 The clarification and detail of this are as follows: 00:00:40.310 --> 00:00:41.840 First: 00:00:41.840 --> 00:00:44.340 Allah is the Granter of Steadfastness. 00:00:44.340 --> 00:00:48.140 The linchpin in the process of steadfastness 00:00:48.140 --> 00:00:50.140 is that we know with absolute certainty 00:00:50.140 --> 00:00:52.640 that Allah is the One who grants steadfastness, 00:00:52.640 --> 00:00:57.640 and that the hearts of the servants are between two of the fingers of the Most Merciful, 00:00:57.640 --> 00:01:00.140 turning them however He wills. 00:01:00.140 --> 00:01:02.200 For Allah, the Exalted and Majestic, 00:01:02.200 --> 00:01:07.859 makes His righteous allies steadfast in this worldly life and in the Hereafter. 00:01:07.859 --> 00:01:10.859 Granting steadfastness (*al-tathbīt*) is His attribute and His action, 00:01:10.859 --> 00:01:13.359 not one of His proper names. 00:01:13.359 --> 00:01:19.859 No one can dispense with the steadfastness granted by Allah, Glorified and Exalted, even for a single moment, 00:01:19.859 --> 00:01:22.930 not even the prophets and messengers. 00:01:22.930 --> 00:01:24.989 Allah Almighty said: 00:01:24.989 --> 00:01:31.489 “And they indeed strove hard to beguile thee (Muhammad) away from that wherewith We have inspired thee, that thou shouldst invent other than it against Us; and then would they have accepted thee as a friend.” (17:73) 00:01:31.489 --> 00:01:34.489 "that you would invent about Us something else;" 00:01:34.489 --> 00:01:37.989 "and then they would have taken you as an intimate friend." 00:01:37.989 --> 00:01:46.989 "And if We had not strengthened you, you would have almost inclined to them a little." 00:01:46.989 --> 00:01:51.989 “Then had we made thee taste a double (punishment) of living and a double (punishment) of dying, then hadst thou found no helper against Us.” (17:75) 00:01:51.989 --> 00:01:59.989 “Then had we made thee taste a double (punishment) of living and a double (punishment) of dying, then hadst thou found no helper against Us.” (17:75) 00:02:01.319 --> 00:02:04.319 Ibn al-Qayyim said in *Rawdat al-Muhibbin*: 00:02:04.319 --> 00:02:09.319 "Thus, the servant must never rely upon his own self, his patience, his state, or his chastity; 00:02:09.319 --> 00:02:14.360 for whenever one relies upon such things, Allah’s protection abandons him, 00:02:14.360 --> 00:02:17.360 and helplessness encompasses him. 00:02:17.360 --> 00:02:22.360 Indeed, Allah Almighty said to the noblest and most beloved of His creation to Him: 00:02:22.360 --> 00:02:29.479 'And if We had not strengthened you, you would have almost inclined to them a little.'" 00:02:29.479 --> 00:02:31.479 For this reason, among his supplications was: 00:02:31.479 --> 00:02:36.479 "O Turner of the hearts, make my heart steadfast upon Your religion!" 00:02:36.479 --> 00:02:41.479 And most of his oaths were: "No, by the Turner of the hearts!" 00:02:41.479 --> 00:02:44.520 How could it be otherwise when to him was revealed: 00:02:44.520 --> 00:02:49.520 “O ye who believe! Obey Allah, and the messenger when He calleth you to that which quickeneth you, and know that Allah cometh in between the man and his own heart, and that He it is unto Whom ye will be gathered.” (8:24) 00:02:49.520 --> 00:02:51.840 And Allah Almighty said: 00:02:51.840 --> 00:03:00.930 “Allah confirmeth those who believe by a firm saying in the life of the world and in the Hereafter, and Allah sendeth wrong-doers astray. And Allah doeth what He will.” (14:27) 00:03:00.930 --> 00:03:05.930 "and Allah sends astray the wrongdoers." 00:03:05.930 --> 00:03:11.960 “Allah confirmeth those who believe by a firm saying in the life of the world and in the Hereafter, and Allah sendeth wrong-doers astray. And Allah doeth what He will.” (14:27) 00:03:11.960 --> 00:03:14.960 In the two *Sahih*s, with the wording from Muslim, 00:03:14.960 --> 00:03:16.960 on the authority of al-Bara' ibn 'Azib, 00:03:16.960 --> 00:03:20.960 from the Prophet (peace be upon him), who said: 00:03:20.960 --> 00:03:24.960 “Allah confirmeth those who believe by a firm saying in the life of the world and in the Hereafter, and Allah sendeth wrong-doers astray. And Allah doeth what He will.” (14:27) 00:03:24.960 --> 00:03:28.960 He said: "It was revealed concerning the torment of the grave, 00:03:28.960 --> 00:03:31.960 when it is said to him, 'Who is your Lord?' 00:03:31.960 --> 00:03:38.960 and he replies, 'My Lord is Allah and my prophet is Muhammad (peace be upon him).'" 00:03:38.960 --> 00:03:41.960 That is His saying, Mighty and Majestic: 00:03:41.960 --> 00:03:50.310 “Allah confirmeth those who believe by a firm saying in the life of the world and in the Hereafter, and Allah sendeth wrong-doers astray. And Allah doeth what He will.” (14:27) 00:03:50.310 --> 00:03:53.310 Ibn al-Qayyim said in *I'lam al-Muwaqqi'in*: 00:03:53.310 --> 00:03:55.310 "Beneath His saying: 00:03:55.310 --> 00:04:01.310 “Allah confirmeth those who believe by a firm saying in the life of the world and in the Hereafter, and Allah sendeth wrong-doers astray. And Allah doeth what He will.” (14:27) 00:04:01.310 --> 00:04:03.310 lies a tremendous treasure. 00:04:03.310 --> 00:04:05.310 Whoever is guided to its place, 00:04:05.310 --> 00:04:09.310 extracts it well, acquires it, and spends from it, 00:04:09.310 --> 00:04:11.310 has indeed gained great spoils; 00:04:11.310 --> 00:04:14.310 and whoever is deprived of it is truly deprived. 00:04:14.310 --> 00:04:19.310 That is because the servant cannot dispense with Allah’s granting him steadfastness for the blink of an eye. 00:04:19.310 --> 00:04:21.310 For if He does not make him steadfast, 00:04:21.310 --> 00:04:26.310 the heaven and earth of his faith would vanish from their places. 00:04:26.310 --> 00:04:32.310 Indeed, Allah Almighty said to the noblest of His creation, His servant and messenger: 00:04:32.310 --> 00:04:38.310 'And if We had not strengthened you, you would have almost inclined to them a little.' 00:04:38.310 --> 00:04:42.370 And Allah Almighty said to the noblest of His creation: 00:04:42.370 --> 00:04:50.560 “When thy Lord inspired the angels, (saying): I am with you. So make those who believe stand firm. I will throw fear into the hearts of those who disbelieve. Then smite the necks and smite of them each finger.” (8:12) 00:04:50.560 --> 00:04:52.560 And Allah Almighty said to His Messenger: 00:04:52.560 --> 00:04:59.560 “And all that We relate unto thee of the story of the messengers is in order that thereby We may make firm thy heart. And herein hath come unto thee the Truth and an exhortation and a reminder for believers.” (11:120) 00:04:59.560 --> 00:05:02.759 Thus, all creation falls into two categories: 00:05:02.759 --> 00:05:07.759 one granted success through steadfastness, and one forsaken by its withholding. 00:05:07.759 --> 00:05:12.850 The essence of steadfastness, its origin and source, stems from the firm word 00:05:12.850 --> 00:05:15.850 and acting upon what the servant has been commanded. 00:05:15.850 --> 00:05:18.850 Through both of these, Allah grants steadfastness to His servant; 00:05:18.850 --> 00:05:22.850 and whoever is firmer in speech and better in deed 00:05:22.850 --> 00:05:24.850 will be granted greater steadfastness. 00:05:24.850 --> 00:05:26.920 Allah Almighty said: 00:05:26.920 --> 00:05:35.079 “And if We had decreed for them: Lay down your lives or go forth from your dwellings, but few of them would have done it; though if they did what they are exhorted to do it would be better for them, and more strengthening;” (4:66) 00:05:35.079 --> 00:05:39.079 Thus, the people with the most steadfast hearts are those with the firmest speech. 00:05:39.079 --> 00:05:43.079 The 'firm word' is the word of truth and sincerity, 00:05:43.079 --> 00:05:46.079 and it is the opposite of false, lying speech. 00:05:46.079 --> 00:05:50.079 For speech is of two kinds: firm, possessing reality, 00:05:50.079 --> 00:05:53.079 and false, having no reality. 00:05:53.079 --> 00:05:58.079 The firmest speech is the statement of Tawhid and its requisites, 00:05:58.079 --> 00:06:04.139 for it is the greatest means by which Allah grants steadfastness to His servants in this world and the Hereafter. 00:06:04.139 --> 00:06:09.139 Hence, you find the truthful person among the most steadfast of people and the bravest in heart, 00:06:09.139 --> 00:06:17.170 while the liar is among the most humiliated, cowardly, fickle, and least steadfast of people. 00:06:17.170 --> 00:06:20.170 People of discernment recognize the truthfulness of the truthful 00:06:20.170 --> 00:06:25.170 from the steadfastness of his heart during trials, as well as his courage and dignified presence, 00:06:25.170 --> 00:06:29.170 and they recognize the falsehood of the liar by the exact opposite of that; 00:06:29.170 --> 00:06:33.170 and this is hidden only from one who lacks insight." 00:06:33.170 --> 00:06:39.269 Since Allah is the Granter of Steadfastness, steadfastness comes solely from Him and returns to Him. 00:06:39.269 --> 00:06:45.269 For this reason, the Prophet (peace be upon him) used to supplicate frequently for steadfastness. 00:06:45.269 --> 00:06:48.360 On the authority of Shahr ibn Hawshab, who said: 00:06:48.360 --> 00:06:51.360 I said to Umm Salamah (may Allah be pleased with her): 00:06:51.360 --> 00:06:53.360 "O Mother of the Believers, 00:06:53.360 --> 00:07:00.360 what was the most frequent supplication of the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) when he was with you?" 00:07:00.360 --> 00:07:02.360 She said: 00:07:02.360 --> 00:07:04.360 "His most frequent supplication was: 00:07:04.360 --> 00:07:06.360 'O Turner of the hearts, 00:07:06.360 --> 00:07:09.399 make my heart steadfast upon Your religion!'" 00:07:09.399 --> 00:07:10.399 She said: 00:07:10.399 --> 00:07:11.399 "So I said to him, 00:07:11.399 --> 00:07:13.399 'O Messenger of Allah, 00:07:13.399 --> 00:07:16.399 how frequently you make this supplication!' 00:07:16.399 --> 00:07:17.399 He said, 00:07:17.399 --> 00:07:19.399 'O Umm Salamah, 00:07:19.399 --> 00:07:26.399 there is no human being except that his heart is between two of the fingers of Allah; 00:07:26.399 --> 00:07:30.399 whomever He wills He keeps upright, and whomever He wills He turns astray.'" 00:07:30.399 --> 00:07:37.589 In *Sahih Muslim*, on the authority of 'Abdullah ibn 'Amr ibn al-'As (may Allah be pleased with them both), who said: 00:07:37.589 --> 00:07:41.589 I heard the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) say: 00:07:41.589 --> 00:07:47.589 "Indeed, the hearts of the children of Adam are all between two of the fingers of the Most Merciful, 00:07:47.589 --> 00:07:49.589 like a single heart; 00:07:49.589 --> 00:07:52.589 He turns it wherever He wills." 00:07:52.589 --> 00:07:56.680 Then the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: 00:07:56.680 --> 00:07:59.680 "O Allah, Director of hearts, 00:07:59.680 --> 00:08:03.879 direct our hearts toward Your obedience!" 00:08:03.879 --> 00:08:05.879 And on the authority of Anas, who said: 00:08:05.879 --> 00:08:10.879 The Prophet (peace be upon him) used to say frequently: 00:08:10.879 --> 00:08:12.879 "O Turner of the hearts, 00:08:12.879 --> 00:08:15.879 make my heart steadfast upon Your religion!" 00:08:15.879 --> 00:08:16.879 He said: 00:08:16.879 --> 00:08:19.879 "So we said, 'O Messenger of Allah, 00:08:19.879 --> 00:08:22.879 we have believed in you and in that with which you have come; 00:08:22.879 --> 00:08:24.879 do you fear for us?' 00:08:24.879 --> 00:08:25.879 He said: 00:08:25.879 --> 00:08:27.879 He replied, 'Yes, 00:08:27.879 --> 00:08:33.879 indeed, the hearts are between two of the fingers of Allah, Mighty and Majestic; He turns them.'" 00:08:33.879 --> 00:08:39.039 Ibn al-Qayyim said in *Tariq al-Hijratayn wa Bab al-Sa'adatayn*: 00:08:39.039 --> 00:08:45.100 "When the servant realizes that Allah, Glorified and Exalted, is the Turner of the hearts, 00:08:45.100 --> 00:08:49.100 and that He comes between a person and his heart, 00:08:49.100 --> 00:08:53.100 and that every day He is bringing about a matter, 00:08:53.100 --> 00:08:57.100 doing whatever He wills and decreeing whatever He pleases, 00:08:57.100 --> 00:09:01.100 and that He guides whom He wills and sends astray whom He wills, 00:09:01.100 --> 00:09:05.100 elevating whom He wills and abasing whom He wills— 00:09:05.100 --> 00:09:08.100 what can make him feel secure against Allah turning his heart, 00:09:08.100 --> 00:09:11.100 coming between him and it, 00:09:11.100 --> 00:09:14.450 and causing it to deviate after having made it upright? 00:09:14.450 --> 00:09:18.450 Indeed, Allah praised His believing servants for saying: 00:09:18.450 --> 00:09:23.450 “Our Lord! Cause not our hearts to stray after Thou hast guided us, and bestow upon us mercy from Thy Presence. Lo! Thou, only Thou, art the Bestower.” (3:8) 00:09:23.450 --> 00:09:29.679 Were it not for the fear of deviation, they would not have asked Him not to let their hearts deviate." 00:09:29.679 --> 00:09:32.740 And he said in *Miftah Dar al-Sa'adah*: 00:09:32.740 --> 00:09:37.740 "For this reason, in the hadith narrated by Imam Ahmad and al-Nasa'i 00:09:37.740 --> 00:09:40.740 from the Prophet (peace be upon him): 00:09:40.740 --> 00:09:44.769 'O Allah, I ask You for steadfastness in the matter, 00:09:44.769 --> 00:09:47.870 and determination upon right guidance.' 00:09:47.870 --> 00:09:51.870 These two phrases encompass all prosperity, 00:09:51.870 --> 00:09:55.899 and a servant is only afflicted through neglecting them 00:09:55.899 --> 00:09:57.899 or neglecting one of them. 00:09:57.899 --> 00:10:01.899 For one is only afflicted through haste and rashness, 00:10:01.899 --> 00:10:04.899 being swayed by passing impulses, 00:10:04.899 --> 00:10:07.929 or through complacency and sluggishness, 00:10:07.929 --> 00:10:11.960 letting opportunities slip away after they become favorable. 00:10:11.960 --> 00:10:15.960 If steadfastness is attained first and determination second, 00:10:15.960 --> 00:10:17.960 he will attain complete prosperity. 00:10:17.960 --> 00:10:21.600 And Allah is the Grantor of success." 00:10:21.600 --> 00:10:23.600 Supplicating for steadfastness 00:10:23.600 --> 00:10:26.600 was the constant practice of the righteous before us, 00:10:26.600 --> 00:10:29.600 especially during times of hardship. 00:10:29.600 --> 00:10:35.080 Allah Almighty said, describing the early fighters: 00:10:35.080 --> 00:10:39.080 “And when they went into the field against Goliath and his hosts they said: Our Lord! Bestow on us endurance, make our foothold sure, and give us help against the disbelieving folk.” (2:250) 00:10:39.080 --> 00:10:49.080 "they said, 'Our Lord, pour upon us patience" 00:10:49.080 --> 00:10:54.080 "and plant firmly our feet" 00:10:54.080 --> 00:11:00.080 "and give us victory over the disbelieving people.'" 00:11:00.080 --> 00:11:02.179 And He said: 00:11:02.179 --> 00:11:05.179 "And how many a prophet" 00:11:05.179 --> 00:11:09.179 "fought with whom were many religious scholars," 00:11:09.179 --> 00:11:16.179 “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) 00:11:16.179 --> 00:11:20.179 “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) 00:11:20.179 --> 00:11:24.179 "And Allah loves the steadfast." 00:11:24.179 --> 00:11:28.179 “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) 00:11:28.179 --> 00:11:35.179 “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) 00:11:35.179 --> 00:11:38.179 "and our excess in our affair" 00:11:38.179 --> 00:11:43.179 "and plant firmly our feet" 00:11:43.179 --> 00:11:48.179 "and give us victory over the disbelieving people." 00:11:48.179 --> 00:11:52.179 “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) 00:11:52.179 --> 00:11:55.179 "and the good reward of the Hereafter." 00:11:55.179 --> 00:12:01.179 "And Allah loves the doers of good." 00:12:01.179 --> 00:12:04.919 And He said regarding the supplication of the believers: 00:12:04.919 --> 00:12:09.299 "Our Lord, do not let our hearts deviate after" 00:12:09.299 --> 00:12:14.299 “Our Lord! Cause not our hearts to stray after Thou hast guided us, and bestow upon us mercy from Thy Presence. Lo! Thou, only Thou, art the Bestower.” (3:8) 00:12:14.299 --> 00:12:21.299 "Indeed, You are the Bestower." 00:12:21.299 --> 00:12:23.750 In the two *Sahih*s, 00:12:23.750 --> 00:12:26.750 on the authority of al-Bara' (may Allah be pleased with him), who said: 00:12:26.750 --> 00:12:29.750 I saw the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) 00:12:29.750 --> 00:12:32.750 on the Day of the Confederates (al-Ahzab) carrying earth, 00:12:32.750 --> 00:12:35.750 the dust concealing the whiteness of his stomach, 00:12:35.750 --> 00:12:37.750 while he was chanting: 00:12:37.750 --> 00:12:40.750 "Were it not for You, we would not have been guided, 00:12:40.750 --> 00:12:43.750 nor given in charity, nor prayed. 00:12:43.750 --> 00:12:46.750 So send down tranquility upon us, 00:12:46.750 --> 00:12:50.750 and make our feet firm when we meet the enemy! 00:12:50.750 --> 00:12:53.750 Indeed, the transgressors have rebelled against us; 00:12:53.750 --> 00:12:56.750 whenever they intend tribulation, we refuse!" 00:12:56.750 --> 00:13:01.740 Signposts on the Path of Steadfastness.