Thekabarnews.com—Imam Al-Hafizh Ibn Rajab Al-Hanbali said these words once:

“A servant cannot gain consistency (istiqamah) and firmness upon the truth via his strength alone. So he really needs to seek his Lord to give him strength. How many people perform noble deeds, but just when they are on the brink of Paradise and their ship is about to reach safety, a surge of longing overwhelms them, causing them to drown?”

(Majmu‘ Rasa’il, by Imam Ibn Rajab Al-Hanbali, may Allah ﷻ bless him).

A short explanation of this statement

This counsel makes it apparent that being strong until the end of life is not just something people do. It is also a blessing and protection from Allah ﷻ.

A person can do good things for a long time, but near the end of their life, they can fall short by giving in to their cravings. As a result, failing to receive Allah’s ﷻ protection can lead to devastation. This is a very serious warning: the most dangerous time is typically at the end of the journey. It is when a person feels safe, sure of what he has done, or unconcerned about fighting for his goals.

Lessons and thoughts

1. Always pray to Allah ﷻ for steadfastness (ats-tsabat).

We cannot accomplish istiqamah on our own. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ would often pray:

“O Turner of the hearts, help me stay strong in my faith.”

If the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, who was promised Paradise, made this prayer often, then we need it much more to keep us from straying and being led astray.

2. Do not let the number of good deeds fool you.
Even if you perform numerous good deeds with sincerity, piety, and Allah’s protection until the end of life, it doesn’t guarantee your safety.

3. Being afraid of su’ul khatimah is an indication of real faith.
A devoted believer is more terrified of falling short at the end of life than of feeling safe because of what he has done.

4. Following your desires is really risky.
Desires can kill a person at the last minute, much like a big wave can sink a ship that is almost at the land.

5. The importance of having a decent finish (husnul khatimah) cannot be overstated.
People do not really know how successful they are until the end of their lives.

Main Point

a. Istiqamah is one of Allah’s greatest gifts.
b. The person who feels safe because of what they do is in the most danger.
c. So, a believer must keep doing good things, stay humble, and always pray to Allah ﷻ to give him a strong end.

The saying of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ is one of the best pieces of proof for this.

“A person may perform the deeds of the people of Paradise until there is only an arm’s length between him and Paradise; then, what has been decreed overtakes him, and he commits the deeds of the people of Hell, ultimately entering it. A person may commit the actions of the people of Hell until there is only an arm’s length between him and Hell; then, what has been decreed overtakes him, and he performs the deeds of the people of Paradise, ultimately entering it.

This noble hadith teaches us important lessons.

a. You should never feel protected from a bad finish (su’ul khatimah).
b. Prayer and trust in Allah ﷻ must go along with steadfastness.
c. Husnul khatimah is the best gift, especially near the end of life.
d. In the last moments, desires and carelessness might kill a person.
e. A believer lives between fear (khauf) and hope (raja’):
– Fear of a horrible ending, Hellfire, and going off course.
– Hope for a blissful conclusion, Paradise, and trust that will not waver until death.

To sum up

This hadith is one of the clearest signs that even if a person seems to be good, he still needs Allah’s support to die in a state of steadfastness. Thus, the early scholars (Salaf) were more concerned with their last moments than boasting.

I hope this simple reminder helps us all.

We pray to Allah ﷻ for victory and strength.