Riyad-us-Saliheen
Chapter 3
Patience and Perseverance
Abu Malik Al-Harith bin Asim Al-Ash`ar (May Allah be pleased with him) reported that: The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said: "Wudu' is half of Salah; the utterance of (Al-hamdu lillah - all praise belongs to Allah) fills the Scales of good actions; the utterance of (Subhan Allah wa Al-hamdu lillah) (Allah is far removed from every imperfection and all praise belongs to Allah) fills the space between the heavens and the earth, and Salat (prayer) is light; and charity is the proof of Faith; and endurance is light, and the Qur'an is a plea in your favour or against you. Every person departs; he either ransoms it or puts it into perdition". [Muslim]
Commentary
Piety in all forms is meritorious. And Faith means Faith in its perfect form. Some people are of the opinion that here Faith means Salat. Purification is essential for Salat and this is the reason it is regarded as half of Salat
Excellence of the remembrance of Allah
Inducement for concentration on Salat because it is a light which provides guidance to a Muslim at every step and prevents him from obscenity and unlawful actions
Sadaqah signifies a Muslim's sincerity and devotion
The praiseworthiness of patience. It is a strong weapon of a Muslim which provides him with steadfastness
The Qur'an is a means of salvation as well as destruction for a Muslim. If one acts upon its orders, it becomes a means of his salvation; if he shuns them, it ruins him
One should not leave oneself idle but keep it busy - busy in some noble work, otherwise it would tend to evil which will eventually ruin him
One should spend this transitory earthly life in the obedience of Allah
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Imam Ahmad relates in az-Zuhd (2/30) that Umar ibn al-Khattab radiallahu anhu said: Take account of your own souls, before account is taken of you. Weigh your actions before they are weighed. Indeed, when you are brought to account tomorrow, it will be much easier if you have brought yourselves to account today. So do so, before there comes to you the great Judgement: That day you will be brought to Judgement. Not a secret of yours will be hidden. [Suratul-Haqqah 69:18]