The Importance of Consistent Worship and Patience in Islam

Why Consistent Worship and Patience Matter: Insights from Islamic Teachings on Eternal Rewards

The Messenger of Allaah ﷺ said: ❝How wonderful is the case of a believer; for all his affairs are good for him, and this applies only to a believer. If something good happens to him, he is thankful for it and that is good for him; if something bad happens to him, he bears it with patience and that is good for him.❞

[Saheeh Muslim (7138)]

Be constant in your Ibaadah and do not make it conditional, i.e., you will only worship if you get something or else you will stop. Rather, worship Allaah till your death, whether you get something or not.

وَاعْبُدْ رَبَّكَ حَتَّىٰ يَأْتِيَكَ الْيَقِينُ

{And worship your Lord until there comes unto you the certainty (i.e. death)}

[Surah al-Hijr (15): 99]

وَمِنَ النَّاسِ مَن يَعْبُدُ اللَّهَ عَلَىٰ حَرْفٍ ۖ فَإِنْ أَصَابَهُ خَيْرٌ اطْمَأَنَّ بِهِ ۖ وَإِنْ أَصَابَتْهُ فِتْنَةٌ انقَلَبَ عَلَىٰ وَجْهِهِ خَسِرَ الدُّنْيَا وَالْآخِرَةَ ۚ ذَٰلِكَ هُوَ الْخُسْرَانُ الْمُبِينُ

{And among mankind is he who worships Allaah as it were, upon the very edge (i.e. in doubt); if good befalls him, he is content therewith; but if a trial befalls him, he turns back on his face (i.e. reverts back to disbelief after embracing Islaam). He loses both this world and the Hereafter. That is the evident loss.}

[Surah al-Hajj (22): 11]

Our stay on this earth is not permanent, so the aim should be al-Jannah

فَمِنَ النَّاسِ مَن يَقُولُ رَبَّنَا آتِنَا فِي الدُّنْيَا وَمَا لَهُ فِي الْآخِرَةِ مِنْ خَلَاقٍ ‎* وَمِنْهُم مَّن يَقُولُ رَبَّنَا آتِنَا فِي الدُّنْيَا حَسَنَةً وَفِي الْآخِرَةِ حَسَنَةً وَقِنَا عَذَابَ النَّارِ ‎* أُولَٰئِكَ لَهُمْ نَصِيبٌ مِّمَّا كَسَبُوا ۚ وَاللَّهُ سَرِيعُ الْحِسَابِ

{But of mankind there are some who say: “Our Lord! Give us (Your Bounties) in this world!” and for such there will be no portion in the Hereafter. And of them there are some who say: “Our Lord! Give us in this world that which is good and in the Hereafter that which is good, and save us from the torment of the Fire!” For them there will be allotted a share for what they have earned. And Allaah is Swift at reckoning.}

[Surah al-Baqarah (2): 200-202]

It is the love of the Dunya that makes people abandon the religion, apostatize, or become hypocritical:

مَن كَفَرَ بِاللَّهِ مِن بَعْدِ إِيمَانِهِ إِلَّا مَنْ أُكْرِهَ وَقَلْبُهُ مُطْمَئِنٌّ بِالْإِيمَانِ وَلَٰكِن مَّن شَرَحَ بِالْكُفْرِ صَدْرًا فَعَلَيْهِمْ غَضَبٌ مِّنَ اللَّهِ وَلَهُمْ عَذَابٌ عَظِيمٌ ‎* ذَٰلِكَ بِأَنَّهُمُ اسْتَحَبُّوا الْحَيَاةَ الدُّنْيَا عَلَى الْآخِرَةِ وَأَنَّ اللَّهَ لَا يَهْدِي الْقَوْمَ الْكَافِرِينَ

{Whoever disbelieved in Allaah after his belief – except for the one who is forced [to renounce his religion] while his heart remains firm in Faith. But those who [willingly] open their breasts to disbelief, upon them is wrath from Allaah, and for them is a great punishment; That is because they preferred the worldly life over the Hereafter and that Allaah does not guide the disbelieving people.}

[Surah al-Nahl (16): 106-107]

When people get exposed to Haraam and all types of vices, and when religious ignorance is rampant, then people start to drift away from the religion. They stop praying, men shave their beards, women abandon their Hijab, children become disobedient, etc.

Our stay on this earth as compared to the Hereafter is nothing in terms of time and luxury. So, don’t ruin your eternity for the pleasure of a few minutes. 

Have trust in Allaah’s promise and be patient.