ADHERING TO THE LAWS OF ALLAH AND DOING RIGHTEOUS DEEDS:
Allah says (interpretation of the meaning):
“Allah will keep firm those who believe, with the word that stands firm in this world and in the Hereafter. And Allah will cause to go astray those who are dhalimun (polytheists and wrongdoers, etc.), and Allah does what He wills.”
(Al-Qur’an 14:27)
Qutadah (RA) said:
“As for the life of this world, Allah will help them to be steadfast in doing good and righteous deeds, and in the Hereafter (He will help them) to remain steadfast in the grave.”
A similar interpretation was narrated from more than one of the Salaf. [Tafsir al-Qur’an al-‘Adhimby Ibn Kathir, 3/421]
Allah says (interpretation of the meaning):
” … but if they had done what they were told, it would have been better for them, and would have strengthened their faith.”
(Al-Qur’an 4:66),
i.e., it would have strengthened them in their adherence to the Truth.
This is clear, for how can you expect steadfastness on the part of those who are too lazy to do righteous deeds when fitnah raises its ugly head and calamity increases? But Allah will guide those who believe and do righteous deeds by their faith to the Straight Path. So the Prophet (SallAllahu Alayhi Wa Sallam) used to persevere in doing righteous deeds, and the most beloved of good deeds to him were those that were continuous, even if they were small.
When his Companions started to do anything, they would persist in it, and when ‘A’ishah (RadiyAllahu Anha) did something, she would keep it up.
The Prophet (SallAllahu Alayhi Wa Sallam) used to say:
“Whoever perseveres in doing twelve rak’ahs [i.e., the sunan rawatib or sunnah prayers which the Prophet (SallAllahu Alayhi Wa Sallam) did constantly, Paradise will be his right.”
[Sunan at-Tirmidhi, 2/273; he said, the hadith is hasan or sahih; see also Sahih an-Nasa’i, 1/388 and Sahih at-Tirmidhi, 1/131]
According to a hadith qudsi, Allah (SWT) says:
“My slave will keep drawing near to me with nafil acts of worship until I love him.”
[Reported by al-Bukhari; see Fath al-Bari, 11/340]