Istiqamah - Steadfastness
The quality of remaining firm and consistent on the straight path through all circumstances.
Istiqamah (الاستقامة) is steadfastness and consistency in practicing the religion through all circumstances. The Quran says: 'Indeed, those who say, "Our Lord is Allah," and then remain steadfast—the angels descend upon them.' The Prophet (PBUH) was asked for advice and said: 'Say, I believe in Allah, then be steadfast.' Istiqamah means maintaining practice when motivation wanes, when difficulties arise, and when others turn away. It is the marathon, not the sprint. Small consistent actions build istiqamah, while inconsistency weakens spiritual practice.
Indeed, those who say, 'Our Lord is Allah,' and then remain steadfast—the angels descend upon them.
Abu Bakr as-Siddiq said: 'I was never a day without dhikr (remembrance) since I embraced Islam.' Istiqamah is the character of the Siddiqeen (the truthful).
Quran
Written about in
- What Islam says about patience
Asked for a single piece of advice, the Prophet said: say I believe in Allah, then be steadfast. Istiqamah is patience stretched across years rather than a crisis — keeping the practice when motivation is gone and others have turned away. Small repeated acts build it; inconsistency takes it apart.