then be tried; and the reverse may also occur. So ask Allah not to test you after them with doubts that may arise before you, or with evil desires—the trial of lusts. As long as a person’s soul remains in his body, he is susceptible to trial.

It is related that Imam Ahmad, may Allah have mercy on him, while in the throes of death, would lose consciousness and could be heard saying, “Not yet, not yet.” When he regained consciousness, he was asked, “O Abu Abd Allah, what do you mean by ‘Not yet, not yet’?” He replied, “I saw Satan before me, biting his hands and saying, ‘You have eluded me, Ahmad!’ That is, I was unable to catch up with you and lead you astray. So I said, ‘Not yet, not yet’—meaning, as long as the soul remains in the body, a person remains in danger.” This is indicated by the Prophet’s saying, may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him: “A man may perform the deeds of the people of Paradise until there is only an arm’s length between him and it; then what has been decreed overtakes him, and he performs the deeds of the people of the Fire and enters it.” (1)

Therefore, I advise myself and you always to ask Allah for steadfastness upon faith, and to remain fearful, for beneath your feet are slippery places. If Allah does not make you steadfast, you will fall into ruin. Listen to Allah’s words to His Messenger, may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him—the most steadfast of people and the strongest of them in faith: “Had We not made you steadfast, you would nearly have inclined to them a little. Then We would have made you taste a double punishment in this life and a double punishment after death; then you would have found no helper against Us.” [al-Isra 17:74–75]

If this was said concerning the Messenger, may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him, then what of us, whose faith and certainty are weak, and who are beset by doubts and desires? We are in grave danger. We must therefore ask Allah Most High to keep us steadfast upon the truth and not allow our hearts to deviate.