By Sheikh Abdul-Muhsin ibn Muhammad al-Qasim – 03 Muharram 1437

His Eminence Sheikh Abdul-Muhsin ibn Muhammad al-Qasim, may Allah preserve him, delivered the Friday khutbah entitled, “Trials and Steadfastness of the Heart,” in which he talked about the trials and tribulations that have befallen the Muslim Ummah, explaining that the remedy for such trials and success in facing them lie in returning to the Two Revelations: the Qur’an and the Sunnah. He also talked in some detail about the righteous deeds, such as the obligatory and supererogatory acts of worship, which in turn can help one stand firm on the truth.

Praise be to Allah. We praise Him and seek His help and forgiveness. We seek refuge in Allah from the evil within ourselves and from our wrong deeds. He whom Allah guides, none can misguide, and he whom Allah sends astray, none can guide. I bear witness that there is no god but Allah alone, Who has no partners, and I bear witness that Muhammad is His servant and messenger. May Allah bestow his bountiful peace and blessings upon him and upon his family and Companions.

Now then,
Fear Allah as He should be feared, and grasp the trustworthy handhold of Islam.

O Muslims!
The greatest of all blessings and favours is to worship Allah alone and to be steadfast in obedience to Him. A Muslim should maintain such a blessing and guard his heart against anything that may tarnish it, for Satan surrounds the Muslim from all sides in order to deprive him of this blessing. Allah, Glorified be He, tells us that Satan said: “Then I will come to them from before them and behind them, from their right and from their left, and You will not find most of them as thankful ones (i.e. they will not be dutiful to You).” (Al-A‘raf: 17)

Trials, known or yet to be known, are presented to every heart, just as a reed mat is woven, stick by stick. Just as man is tested with evil, he is also tested with good, as in the trials of wealth, children, and good health. Allah, Glorified be He, says:
“… and We shall make a trial of you with evil and with good. And to Us you will be returned.” (Al-Anbiya’: 35)

The hearts of Allah’s servants lie between two of the Fingers of the Most Gracious and He controls them in accordance with His will. Indeed, the religion of Islam is a Muslim’s dearest and most precious possession. He cannot do without it, as it represents his provisions in this worldly life and the Hereafter.

Life is but a series of trials, and steadfastness in the face of these trials is rarely attainable. What a Muslim needs most is to remain steadfast in his religion and to adhere to it. That is why Allah commanded His Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, to steadfastly adhere to Islam and not to follow those who pursue their evil whims and desires. Allah says:
“… and stand firm [on Islamic Monotheism by performing all that is ordained by Allah (good deeds), and by abstaining from all that is forbidden by Allah (sins and evil deeds)], as you are commanded, and follow not their desires …” (Ash-Shura: 15)

Every Muslim is commanded to supplicate his Lord in every single rak‘ah in his prayers to guide him to the right path and help him adhere to it by reciting the verse: “Guide us to the Straight Way.” (Al-Fatihah: 6)

Shaikh al-Islam, Ibn Taimiyah, may Allah have mercy on his soul, said, “This is the best and most mandatory supplication for people, for it combines goodness for the servant in religion, in worldly matters, and in the hereafter”

The truthful always fear that their faith may be subjected to some decrease or loss. Even though Ibrahim (Prophet Abraham), peace be upon him, destroyed the idols his people worshipped with his own hands, he still supplicated his Lord, saying: “…and keep me and my sons away from worshipping idols.” (Ibrahim: 35)

Yusuf (Prophet Joseph), peace be upon him, called for true monotheism and prayed to his Lord saying,
“…Cause me to die as a Muslim (the one submitting to Your Will), and join me with the righteous.” (Yusuf: 101)

Our Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, started and concluded his call to Islam with monotheism. He often supplicated his Lord, saying, “O Controller of the hearts! Make our hearts hold fast to Your religion” (Reported by at-Tirmidhi). Even on his travels, he used to pray to Allah to grant him steadfastness. Whenever he proceeded on a journey, he said, “O Allah! I seek refuge in You from the hardships of travelling, from returning to sorrow, and from returning to sin after showing obedience to You” (Reported by Muslim).

The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, would also check on the steadfastness of his Companions. If he noticed any shortcomings in the acts of worship of anyone of them, he would remind him and advise him. He once said to Abdullah ibn Amr ibn al-‘As, may Allah be pleased with him and his father, “O Abdullah! Do not be like so-and-so; he used to get up at night for voluntary prayers but then he abandoned voluntary night prayers” (Reported by al-Bukhari). He also urged his Ummah to remain steadfast and to do good deeds constantly. A’ishah, may Allah be pleased with her, narrated that the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “The best deeds in the sight of Allah are those that a person does constantly” (Reported by al-Bukhari).

Allah, Glorified be He, is the Guide, and all guidance lies in His Hand. Allah, Exalted be He, says in the Holy Hadith, “O My servants! All of you will go astray except for those whom I guide” (Reported by Muslim). Steadfastness can only be solidly established by having a humble heart which demonstrates constant need of Allah, and believing with certainty that steadfastness can only be granted by Him.

Allah, Glorified be He, says: “And had We not made you stand firm, you would nearly have inclined to them a little.” (Al-Isra’: 74)

Purity of monotheism and learning its requirements constitute the major source of steadfastness in adhering to the religion of Allah. Allah, Glorified be He, says about the Companions of the Cave:
“And We made their hearts firm and strong (with the light of Faith in Allah and bestowed upon them patience to bear the separation of their kith and kin and dwellings) when they stood up and said: “Our Lord is the Lord of the heavens and the earth, never shall we call upon any ilah (god) other than Him; if we did, we should indeed have uttered an enormity in disbelief.” (Al-Kahf: 14)

Cleanliness and soundness of the heart, as well as purity of faith in Allah, are qualities which bring about steadfastness in religion. They are among the greatest qualities for which Allah averts the causes of destruction away from His servants. Allah says about Yusuf (Prophet Joseph), peace be upon him:
“… Thus it was, that We might turn away from him evil and illegal sexual intercourse. Surely, he was one of Our chosen (guided) slaves.” (Yusuf: 24)

Those who have ill intentions and whose hearts deviate from purity of faith in Allah will have this reflected on their religion and conduct. The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “A man may do the deeds of the people of Paradise, or so it seems to people, although he is one of the people of Hellfire, and a man may do the deeds of the people of Hellfire, or so it seems to people, although he is one of the people of Paradise” (Reported by al-Bukhari). Ibn Rajab al-Hanbali, may Allah have mercy on his soul, comments, “The saying of the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, ‘or so it seems to the people’ is an indication that whatever such a person hides from people contradicts what people see in reality, and that one may have a bad ending as a result of a hidden intention in one’s heart that people are not aware of.”

Supplicating Allah to grant us steadfastness in religion testifies to our dire need for His help and support and is also an act of worship, with which steadfastness is bound to be attained. The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, used to pray to Allah to help him stay steadfast in guidance, saying, “O Allah! There is no god but You! I seek refuge in Your Might from sending me astray. You are the Ever-Living Who does not die, but jinn and mankind do die” (Reported by Muslim). The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, would teach his Companions this supplication. Shaddad ibn Aws, may Allah be pleased with him, said “The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, often taught us to say, ‘O Allah! I ask You for steadfastness in all affairs’” (Reported by at-Tirmidhi).

Allah tells us in the Noble Qur’an that those who are firmly grounded in knowledge and faith say:
“Our Lord! Let not our hearts deviate (from the truth) after You have guided us, and grant us mercy from You. Truly, You are the Bestower.” (Al ‘Imran: 8)

Purity of faith brings the servant closer to Allah and saves him from whatever might sever the relationship between the servant and his Lord. Allah, Glorified be He, says: “As for those who strive hard in Us (Our Cause), We will surely guide them to Our Paths (i.e. Allah’s religion – Islamic Monotheism). …” (Al-‘Ankabut: 69)

Following the Sunnah provides protection and deliverance for the servant. Allah, Glorified be He, says: “… If you obey him, you shall be on the right guidance. …” (An-Nur: 54)

Shaikh al-Islam, Ibn Taimiyah, may Allah have mercy on his soul, said, “The more one follows Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, the greater his belief in Allah’s Oneness and his sincerity to Him in religion is. Conversely, the more he keeps away from following him, the more his faith decreases.”

In times of trials, the only way to protect oneself from them, with Allah’s will, is to hasten to do righteous deeds. The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “Hasten to do good deeds before you are put to trials and tests that are as deluding as the dark of night. A man would be a believer in the morning and turn a disbeliever in the evening, or he would be a believer in the evening and turn a disbeliever in the morning, selling his faith in exchange for some worldly goods” (Reported by Muslim).

Among the means of maintaining steadfastness in religion is to obey the commands of Allah submissively after receiving admonition about them. Allah, Exalted be He, says: “… but if they had done what they were told, it would have been better for them, and would have strengthened their (Faith).” (An-Nisa’: 66).

Conversely, abandoning good deeds after receiving knowledge and admonition about them is a cause for being forsaken and for going astray. Abu Bakr as-Siddiq, may Allah be pleased with him, said, “I shall not abandon doing anything that Allah’s Messenger, peace and blessings be upon him, used to do, for I fear that if I abandoned any of his practices, I would go astray” (Agreed upon).

The Great Qur’an was revealed so that people may recite it, listen to it, commit it to memory, and act in accordance with its instructions. Doing so can help strengthen the heart and protect it from deviation. Allah, Glorified be He, said to His Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him:
“… Thus (it is sent down in parts), that We may strengthen your heart thereby. …” (Al-Furqan: 32)

Allah also says to the Muslim Ummah:
“Say (O Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him) Ruh-ul-Qudus [Jibril (Gabriel)] has brought it (the Qur’an) down from your Lord with truth, that it may make firm and strengthen (the faith of) those who believe …” (An-Nahl: 102)

Pondering on the stories of Allah’s prophets and their steadfastness, despite all the enmity and harm they encountered, helps one follow in their footsteps. Allah, Exalted be He, says:
“And all that We relate to you (O Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him) of the news of the Messengers is in order that We may make strong and firm your heart thereby …” (Hud: 120)

The prayer drives away that which might corrupt the heart and the body:
“…Verily, As-Salat (the prayer) prevents from Al-Fahsha’ (i.e. great sins of every kind, unlawful sexual intercourse) and Al-Munkar (i.e. disbelief, polytheism, and every kind of wicked deed) …” (Al-‘Ankabut: 45)

Giving to charity testifies to the servant’s faith and righteousness, and by virtue of charity Allah will protect the servant’s religion and worldly life. In addition, Allah loves and protects those who abundantly perform supererogatory acts of worship. Allah, Exalted be He, says in the Holy Hadith, “My slave keeps on coming closer to Me through performing supererogatory acts of worship until I love him. When I love him, I am his hearing with which he hears, his eyesight with which he sees, his hand with which he strikes, and his foot with which he walks” (Reported by al-Bukhari).

Remembering Allah mends hearts and protects them against trials. Abdullah ibn Abbas, may Allah be pleased with him and his father, said, “Satan is lying over a man’s heart all the time; if the man remembers Allah, Satan withdraws, and if he becomes heedless, Satan whispers evil [into his heart].”

Certainty that Allah will protect His religion and make it reign supreme helps one firmly adhere to it and show more obedience to Allah. The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “By Allah, Allah will bring this matter to its consummation until a rider will travel from Sana’a to Hadramaut fearing none except Allah, and except the wolf for his sheep, but you are in too much of a hurry” (Reported by al-Bukhari).

Contenting oneself with whatever afflictions and difficulties Allah has decreed constitutes one of the fundamentals of religion and provides a source of tranquillity and joy for the heart. Of all people, the believer is the most patient in bearing afflictions, the firmest to hold on to his religion in times of adversity, and the most contented when disasters strike. Whoever is conscious of the great divine favour of guidance to the truth will certainly adhere more to the truth and be more steadfast in it. Allah, Glorified be He, says: “… Nay, but Allah has conferred a favour upon you, that He has guided you to the Faith …” (Al-Hujurat: 17)

Reward and punishment will be commensurate with one’s deeds. Allah will surely protect His servants who are constantly mindful of Him and who observe the limits He has set and honour His sacred ordinances. The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “Be watchful of Allah, and He will protect you” (Reported by at-Tirmidhi).

Keeping the company of the scholars of Islam and righteous people revives the heart and helps show more obedience to Allah. Allah, Glorified be He, says:
“And keep yourself (O Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him) patiently with those who call on their Lord (i.e. your companions who remember their Lord with glorification, praising in prayers, and other righteous deeds) morning and afternoon, seeking His Face …” (Al-Kahf: 28)

Ibn al-Qayyim, may Allah have mercy on his soul, described the positive effect of his visits to Shaikh al-Islam, Ibn Taimiyah, saying, “Whenever we were overwhelmed with fear, expected the worst, and felt that there was no way out of our distress, we would go to see him. As soon as we saw him and heard his words, all that would go away, only to be replaced with delight, certainty, and reassurance.”
A believer is not deceived by falsehood and those who follow it: “Let not the free disposal (and affluence) of the disbelievers throughout the land deceive you.” (Al ‘Imran: 196)

Accepting what Allah has allotted to you is a sign of having good expectations of Him, and it brings about closeness to Allah and adherence to His religion. The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “Be in this world as though you were a stranger or a wayfarer” (Reported by al-Bukhari). Avoiding having too much hope in this world, visiting graves (for men), and frequently remembering death will definitely help develop piety and prompt one to show obedience to Allah. Similarly, remembering the various ranks in heaven and pondering whatever Allah has prepared for the righteous from among His servants will offer a solace to them and encourage them to remain steadfast in religion. The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “You will see after me selfishness (on the part of other people). Then wait patiently until you meet me by the Cistern” (Agreed upon).

A sensible person would not take risks by exposing himself to trials and doubtful matters, claiming that he will not be affected by them. Indeed, doing so is a sign of conceit, for Allah may punish him by letting him rely totally on himself to seal his own doom. Following doubtful matters, deviant ideas, corrupt creeds, and evil whims and desires all lead to deviation from the truth. The accelerated expansion of the means of communication and the easy access to them increase their danger, thus making it more mandatory to be wary of them.

The way of the prophets was to flee from trials. Yusuf (Prophet Joseph), peace be upon him, preferred imprisonment to trials. Allah tells us that he said:
“… “O my Lord! Prison is dearer to me than that to which they invite me …” (Yusuf: 33)

In spite of their vast knowledge and deep faith, our righteous predecessors always turned away from trials. Ma‘mar ibn Rashid, may Allah have mercy on his soul, said, “I was with Tawus when a man came and started talking about divine destiny (qadar). When he started to talk about something that could raise doubts, Tawus put his fingers into his ears and said to his son, ‘Put your fingers into your ears and press tightly so as not to hear anything of his speech, for the heart is weak.’” Al-Dhahabi, may Allah have mercy on his soul, said, “Most of the imams of the righteous predecessors warned against that, and they believed that the hearts are weak by nature and that doubts can mislead people.” Those who seek pathways to doubts and evil whims will certainly fall into them. Allah, Glorified be He, says:
“So when they turned away (from the Path of Allah), Allah turned their hearts away (from the Right Path). …” (As-Saff: 5)

Conversely, those who guard against doubtful things keep their religion and their honour blameless.

One of the paths of misguidance is to oppose the sacred texts of Islam with personal inclinations and dubious opinions. Allah, Glorified be He, says:
“… And let those who oppose the Messenger’s (Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him) commandment (i.e. his Sunnah – legal ways, orders, acts of worship, statements) (among the sects) beware, lest some Fitnah (disbelief, trials, afflictions, earthquakes, killing, overpowered by a tyrant) should befall them or a painful torment be inflicted on them.” (An-Nur: 63)

Shaikh al-Islam, Ibn Taimiyah, may Allah have mercy upon his soul, said, “Faith will never settle in the hearts of those accustomed to opposing the religion with their personal opinions.”

The minor sins that one might underestimate can pile up until they lead to the destruction of those who committed them. The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “Beware of underestimated minor sins, for they continue to pile up until they lead to a man’s destruction” (Reported by Ahmad).

Hastening to see the fruit of good deeds may lead to slackness in doing them and then to abandoning them altogether. Therefore, we should do good deeds continuously for the sake of Allah alone.

Faith wears out just as clothes do, and it can be revived through repentance and asking Allah for forgiveness at all times. Hastening to do so cleanses the heart and purifies it from all the stains of sins. The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “When a servant of Allah commits a sin, a black dot is made on his heart. When he refrains from it, seeks forgiveness and repents, his heart is polished clean” (Reported by at-Tirmidhi).

Now then, O Muslims!
Attaining Allah’s good pleasure lies in adhering to the religion and holding fast to it. A believer’s attitude does not change in times of prosperity and in times of adversity and he shows no sign of faltering in them. He worships his Lord at all times and under all circumstances. He feels proud of his religion, holds fast to it, and calls others to it. I seek refuge in Allah from the accursed Devil:
“Allah will keep firm those who believe, with the word that stands firm in this world (i.e. they will keep on worshipping Allah Alone and none else), and in the Hereafter. And Allah will cause to go astray those who are Zalimun (polytheists and wrong-doers), and Allah does what He wills.” (Ibrahim: 27)

May Allah bless you and me with the Great Qur’an and make us benefit from its verses and wise words. I have said what you have heard and I ask forgiveness of Allah for myself, for you, and for all Muslims, for any sin that we have committed. Ask Allah for forgiveness. He is the Oft-Forgiving, the Most Merciful.