قل آمنت بالله ثم استقم
"Say 'I believe in God', and then keep straight."
When you think of the word استقامة (istiqama), you immediately think of مستقيم or straight. We ask God to keep us on the straight path everyday in the Opening Chapter of the Quran, (اهْدِنَا الصِّرَاطَ الْمُسْتَقِيمَ Guide us the straight way) and in this narration, we hear that same root-word uttered by the Prophet when asked advice on following Islam comprehensively.
Why is this word so important? What does keeping straight mean to our faith and our Islam? Think of a road taking you to a destination. Follow that road straight, all the way, completely, without veering off the road, and you WILL get there. The road doesn't have to be straight literally, but when you are straight with it, meaning you follow it to the dot, without veering off, then you're safe.
Now think of your life as a Muslim. How can you stay straight? Surely things will come your way that you never expected, making your path crooked and full of obstacles, but once you remind yourself of your destination, something will tell you to استقم (istaqim), stay straight, meaning deal with what you have keeping in mind that you need to stand firm and not veer off. Your focus is on God. He will get you where you need to be as long as you're straight with Him. Pray, supplicate, beg, ask, remember and be God-conscious in all your surroundings.
One thing that is very interesting is that the prophet's saying to be straight and steadfast goes hand in hand with a verse in Surah Fussilat. This verse says. إِنَّ الَّذِينَ قَالُوا رَبُّنَا اللَّهُ ثُمَّ اسْتَقَامُوا,
"Those who said our lord is God, and then stood firm/straight"
The beginning of this verse is almost identical to the Prophet's saying. But there is a continuation. What is the reward of those who believe in God and stay firm?
تَتَنَزَّلُ عَلَيْهِمُ الْمَلَائِكَةُ أَلَّا تَخَافُوا وَلَا تَحْزَنُوا وَأَبْشِرُوا بِالْجَنَّةِ الَّتِي كُنتُمْ تُوعَدُونَ
"Angels descend down to them reassuring them not to be scared". Don't be scared for your future and what lies ahead down the road. Live in the present and rest assured.
"And don't be sad". Don't be sad for what has passed. Rather:
"Receive the gladtiding of the Paradise that you were once promised."
What a beautiful verse full of hope and reassurance. And the next verse leaves you speechless. God then says:
نَحْنُ أَوْلِيَاؤُكُمْ فِي الْحَيَاةِ الدُّنْيَا وَفِي الْآخِرَةِ وَلَكُمْ فِيهَا مَا تَشْتَهِي أَنفُسُكُمْ وَلَكُمْ فِيهَا مَا تَدَّعُونَ
"We are your protectors in this life and in the Hereafter. In it, you will have all what your souls desire and all that you ask for!"
It is then no wonder that the Prophet himself was ordered to استقم in such a direct way in the Quran by God Himself:
فَاسْتَقِمْ كَمَا أُمِرْتَ وَمَن تَابَ مَعَكَ
Allah commands him in Surah Hud, along with those with him, to stand firm. استقامة, or staying straight and steadfast isn't something you struggle with alone. We all need to work on it together, just as the Prophet and his companions were ordered to by God.
This word (استقامة) and other forms of its root are not found in the Quran numerous times for no reason. It is for us to be constantly reminded of our obligation to stay straight and steadfast. So the next time you are faced with a trial, a hurtful word, an argument, an accusation, or the like, remember to stand your ground and keep straight to what He wants of you. Think of the road that will take you to your destination. Don't veer off, but simply استقم and remember Him and what He has promised once you do exactly that.
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