وَحَدَّثَنَا ابْنُ نُمَيْرٍ، حَدَّثَنَا أَبِي، حَدَّثَنَا سَعْدُ بْنُ سَعِيدٍ، أَخْبَرَنِي الْقَاسِمُ بْنُ مُحَمَّدٍ، عَنْ عَائِشَةَ، قَالَتْ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم “ أَحَبُّ الأَعْمَالِ إِلَى اللَّهِ تَعَالَى أَدْوَمُهَا وَإِنْ قَلَّ ” . قَالَ وَكَانَتْ عَائِشَةُ إِذَا عَمِلَتِ الْعَمَلَ لَزِمَتْهُ .
‘A’isha reported Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) as saying: The acts most pleasing to Allah are those which are done continuously, even if they are small. and when ‘A’isha did any act she did it continuously.
Sahih Muslim 783b
https://sunnah.com/muslim:783b
In Islam, the concept of consistency in good deeds holds immense significance. It teaches us that true spiritual growth and closeness to Allah (God) often come not from grand, sporadic acts, but from the steady accumulation of small, consistent efforts. As the Quran and the teachings of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) emphasize, Allah loves those who perform good deeds regularly, no matter how minor they may seem. This principle is a cornerstone for building a strong, fulfilling, and blessed life.
The wisdom behind this emphasis on consistency is profound. Imagine a garden that is watered abundantly once a month versus one that receives a small amount of water daily. The latter will flourish. Similarly, our spiritual lives thrive on continuous nourishment. This consistent engagement keeps our hearts connected to Allah, strengthens our faith, and helps us build positive habits that become ingrained in our character. It’s about nurturing a continuous relationship with our Creator through our actions, rather than waiting for moments of intense inspiration.
Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) beautifully illustrated this point. When asked, “What deeds are loved most by Allah?”, he replied, “The most regular constant deeds even though they may be few.” (Sahih al-Bukhari). Another narration states, “Take up good deeds only as much as you are able, for the best deeds are those done regularly even if they are few.” (Sunan Ibn Mājah). These Hadith highlight that the quality of regularity outweighs the quantity of the deed. A consistent act, even if small, demonstrates dedication, sincerity, and a sustained effort to please Allah. It proves our commitment and devotion, which are qualities highly valued in Islam.
So, how can we cultivate this consistency in our daily lives? It begins with setting realistic goals. Don’t overburden yourself with large tasks that you might not be able to sustain. Instead, identify small, manageable good deeds that you can consistently incorporate into your routine. This could be anything from reciting a few verses of the Quran daily, making a short supplication (dua) after each prayer, smiling at others, or offering a kind word to someone in need.
The beauty of consistent small deeds is their cumulative effect. A single act of kindness might seem insignificant, but when performed daily, it transforms your character and spreads positivity in your surroundings. Similarly, a few minutes of Quran recitation each day can lead to memorizing entire chapters over time. These small steps build momentum and make larger acts of worship or charity feel more achievable in the long run. It’s a gradual but powerful progression towards spiritual excellence.
Consistency also requires battling against procrastination and maintaining pure intentions. It’s easy to delay good deeds, thinking we’ll do them later when we have more time or energy. However, this often leads to missing opportunities and breaking the chain of consistency. By renewing our intention (niyyah) before each act, reminding ourselves that we are doing it solely for Allah’s pleasure, we can maintain the enthusiasm and sincerity needed for sustained effort. It’s about doing the action with ihsan, which means excellence and a sense of God-consciousness.
Ultimately, embracing consistency in good deeds is a pathway to a life filled with blessings and inner peace. It instills discipline, mindfulness, and a deeper connection with Allah. Whether it’s the five daily prayers that anchor our day, regular charity, or simply being kind to others, these consistent acts are a testament to our faith. May Allah make it easy for us to be among those who perform good deeds consistently, earning His immense love and reward in this life and the Hereafter.
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Chapter: The virtue of a deed that is done persistently, whether it be Qiyam al-Lail or anything else. The command to be moderate in worship, which means adopting what one can persist in. The command to the one who gets tired or weary when praying to stop until that feeling passes