IstiQomah...?
1- Commiting sins (ma'siah)
=> Insisting on repeating them again and again, without istighfar by seeking Allah's forgiveness and without practicing repentance.
2- Shirk (associating anything with Allah)
=> Whether in intentions, by showing off our good deeds to others, seeking others' appraisal, avoiding being blamed by others, being afraid of someone, or to seek rewards from others than Allah. This part of shirk is also called riyya' or showing off. All these lead to deviation in Istiqomah, and when these stimuli are not there, the person's work is not perfect any more and it is not done in the best way possible.
3- Nifaq (hypocrisy)
=> There are two forms of nifaq. First in belief and in action. The Muslim who surrenders totally to the will of Allah and accept Islam based on his/her choice is free from the first form of hypocrisy. However any Muslim is subject to and should avoid the second form of nifaq which the Prophet SAW, warned us about "Not keeping promises and breaking them continuously without good reasons or excuses, not fulfilling commitments we make with others, being aggressive and unjust to others in quarrels, and disputes, failing to shoulder responsibilities or burdens we are entrusted with, etc". All these bad qualities should be avoided since they lead to the weakening of our Istiqomah.
4- Bida'ah (innovations in ibadah)
=> Whether genuine bida'ah performing ibadah which has not been ascribed by Shariah. For example revelation, or relative bida'ah failing to observe the requirements of doing ibadah will lead to decreasing the quality of good action or ibadah.There are other factors that also contribute to the weakening of Istiqomah, such as recklessness, reluctance, heedlessness, being overwhelmed by a deceiving enjoyment, and being mislead by self interests and desires.
~~~<~~<~~<@ Together we applying the above mentioned steps and requirements pointed by scholars to overcome the obstacles and barriers in order to be a good insane. May Allah lead us to the right way of life...
