15 — Chapter: Perseverance in Righteous Deeds

Allah the Exalted says, “Has the time not yet come for those who believe that their hearts should humble themselves to the remembrance of Allah and to the truth that has been revealed, and that they should not be like those who were given the Scripture before—so long was the term granted to them that their hearts grew hard?” (al-Hadid 57:16).

He also says, “We sent after them Jesus, son of Mary; We gave him the Gospel, and We placed in the hearts of those who followed him compassion and mercy. But monasticism—they innovated it; We did not prescribe it for them—only seeking Allah’s good pleasure. Yet they did not observe it as it should have been observed” (al-Hadid 57:27).

And He says, “Do not be like the woman who unravels her yarn after having spun it strong” (an-Nahl 16:92).

And He says, “Worship your Lord until certainty (death) comes to you” (al-Hijr 15:99).

Among the prophetic traditions is the report from ʿAishah: “The practice most loved by him was that which its doer maintained consistently,” a narration cited in the previous chapter.

[Commentary]

The author (may Allah have mercy on him) entitles this: “Chapter on Perseverance in Deeds,” meaning righteous deeds.

After mentioning the chapter on moderation in acts of worship—that a person should not impose hardship upon himself but should proceed according to the guidance of the Prophet ﷺ—he follows it with this chapter on safeguarding obedience. Many people begin with energy and an eagerness for good, strive earnestly, then later grow languid, withdraw, and fall short.

This is particularly common among the youth, for a young person often feels a powerful surge of zeal or