Faith (iman) is a Muslim's greatest wealth; without it no deed has any value. That is why Allah declares in Surah Asr: "By time, all people are in loss, except those who believe and do good deeds." (Surah Asr: 1-2)

The verse mentions faith first: only the good deeds of believers will be accepted. So one should often pray to Allah with this supplication: "Ihdinas siratal mustaqim, siratallazina an'amta alaihim, ghairil maghdubi alaihim wa laddallin." Meaning: "Guide us to the straight path, the path of those You have blessed, and keep us from the path of those who earned Your anger and of those who went astray."

Holding firm to true faith is therefore a believer's first task. Staying steadfast requires certain things, which will bring peace and good fortune in this life and the hereafter, and for this one must seek Allah's help. Islam gives guidance on these duties and prayers.

Obey the laws and commands of Allah and His Messenger properly. A life based on the Quran and Sunnah is the way to stay firm in faith, and it brings peace in this world and the next. The Prophet (PBUH) declared: "You will not go astray as long as you hold fast to two things: the Book of Allah and the Sunnah of His Messenger."

A believer dies doing the work he spent his life on. If someone lives according to the Quran and Sunnah, his death will also be in their light. That is why it is essential to shape one's life with good deeds according to the Quran and Sunnah.

Stay close to people who are firm on truth and justice, devoted to the service of the religion and representative of the Quran and Sunnah, and live by their advice. That makes it easier to stay steadfast in faith. Allah says: "O believers, fear Allah and be with the truthful (sadiqin)."

Dhikr is not just saying subhanallah and alhamdulillah sitting in the mosque or at home. Alongside the obligatory acts of worship, doing every task of life in Allah's name and according to ethics is dhikr. Praying to Allah for someone who has helped you is dhikr, and helping someone in trouble while asking Allah's help for them is dhikr too.

Doing good greatly increases people's faith in this world, and they find peace and good fortune at death. That is why, in answer to the companions' question, the Prophet said: "Renew your faith." The companions asked, "How shall we renew our faith, O Messenger of Allah?" He said: "Say 'La ilaha illallah' often."

To stay firm in faith, pray to Allah often in private, so that one is granted all-round good in this life and a death with faith and peace at the final moment. Weep before Allah and make these supplications often:

• "Ihdinas siratal mustaqim, siratallazina an'amta alaihim, ghairil maghdubi alaihim wa laddallin." Meaning: "Guide us to the straight path, the path of those You have blessed, and keep us from the path of those who earned Your anger and of those who went astray."
• "Rabbana afrigh alaina sabraw wa tawaffana muslimin." Meaning: "Our Lord, pour patience upon us and let us die as Muslims."
• "Rabbana la tuzigh qulubana ba'da iz hadaitana wa hab lana min ladunka rahmatan innaka antal wahhab." Meaning: "Our Lord, do not let our hearts deviate after You have guided us, and grant us mercy from Yourself; You are the Giver of all."
• "Allahumma inni a'uzu bika an ushrika bika wa ana a'lamu, wa astaghfiruka lima la a'lamu." Meaning: "O Allah, I seek refuge in You from knowingly associating partners with You, and I ask Your forgiveness for what I do unknowingly."
• "Allahumma musarrifal qulubi sarrif qulubana ala ta'atika." Meaning: "O Allah, Turner of hearts, turn our hearts to Your obedience." (Muslim, Mishkat)
• "Ya muqallibal qulubi thabbit qalbi ala dinika." Meaning: "O Turner of hearts, keep my heart firm on Your religion." (Tirmidhi, Mishkat)
• "Allahumma inni a'uzu bika minal fitani ma zahara minha wa ma batan." Meaning: "O Allah, I seek refuge in You from all trials, those that are seen and those that are hidden."

May Allah grant the Muslim ummah the ability to build a life based on the Quran and Sunnah and a death of peace and good fortune, to stay steadfast and firm in faith, and to walk with and keep good relations with the truthful. Ameen.

Source: Jagonews24. First published in Bengali on The Agro News.