the path that leads to Him. Allah alone grants success.
- Abu Hurayra (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said, “Draw near and keep to the right course, and know that none of you will be saved by his deeds.” They asked, “Not even you, O Messenger of Allah?” He replied, “Not even I—unless Allah envelops me in mercy and grace.” Related by Muslim.
al-muqārabah (drawing near) is a deliberate course free from excess or negligence, while as-sadād (steadfast correctness) is uprightness and hitting the mark. The verb yataghammadanī (“envelops me”) means to clothe or cover me.
The scholars say that istiqāmah (uprightness) means adhering to the obedience of Allah. They add that it is one of the Prophet’s concise, comprehensive expressions and the axis on which all matters turn. Allah grants success.
Explanation
This hadith indicates that uprightness is in proportion to one’s ability, as the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said, “Draw near and keep to the right course,” meaning: aim for accuracy—strive for your deeds to coincide with the truth as far as you are able. No matter how great a person’s piety, he is bound to err, as the Prophet (peace be upon him) said, “Every son of Adam frequently errs, and the best of those who err are those who repent.” And he, peace and blessings be upon him, also said