Sirat Al-Mustaqim In Islam

Ways Of Adopting Sirat Al-Mustaqim In Islam

Every passenger needs to know about different aspects of its course in order to reach its destination without any problem. We all take precautionary measures and try to be on the safer side while setting out on a long journey, so that we do not have to suffer from any mishaps.
Same way, the Religion of Islam also regards human life as a passage way towards eternal life of the hereafter, and advises its followers to remain on the rightful alleyway and avoid many distractions of this world which lead to failure. The Holy Prophet ﷺ is reported by An-Nawwas bin Sam`an to have said about this matter:

(Allah has set an example: a Sirat (straight path) that is surrounded by two walls on both sides, with several open doors within the walls covered with curtains. There is a caller on the gate of the Sirat who heralds, ‘O people! Stay on the path and do not deviate from it.’ 

Meanwhile, a caller from above the path is also warning any person who wants to open any of these doors, ‘Woe unto you! Do not open it, for if you open it you will pass through.’ The straight path is Islam; the two walls are Allah’s set limits, while the doors resemble what Allah has prohibited. The caller on the gate of the Sirat is the Book of Allah, while the caller above the Sirat is Allah’s admonishment in the heart of every Muslim.) (Imam Ahmad)

How beautifully the Apostle of Allah, Hazrat Muhammad ﷺ has summed up the notion of Sirat al-Mustaqim (the Correct Way of Life in Islam) in this Hadith that it is compared to a track with walls (constraints defined by the Almighty) on both sides of it having numerous doors (diversions of life). Being a true believer, one has to take help from Allah SWT and His Sacred Book, Quran Majeed so as to stay on the Islamic Approach of existence.

“O you, who have believed, fear Allah. And let every soul look to what it has put forth for tomorrow – and fear Allah. Indeed, Allah is Acquainted with what you do.” [Quran, 59: 18]

The above mentioned Ayah discusses the matter of maintaining the right means of living by having fear of Allah SWT, Who Sees over all actions. The concept of worldly life in the Religion of Peace is nothing but a place to test one`s faith in Islam through its performance. A true disciple knows that all deeds done in this world will be assessed on the Day of Judgment. So, the fear of the Almighty Lord is the most essential belief of a Muslim that helps to attain the correct style of livelihood.

 Praying Allah SWT for Steadfastness on Islamic Way of Life

Having concrete belief in Allah`s Command over everything, and with modesty in one`s behavior before the Almighty, a true Muslim always seeks help from Him for removing all kinds of troubles and granting him happiness of life. One also pleads to God, the Exalted for an approved means of living during daily prayers, while reciting Surah al-Fatiha:

Guide us to the straight path.” [Quran

It means that asking the Almighty Lord for sake of faithfulness towards one`s religion is the central idea of Islamic conviction, because first of all a true believer firmly believes in Allah`s Supreme Command over everything: second, it is the indispensable part of a Muslim`s faith to remain resolute on the right path. The Holy Prophet  used to supplicate the Gracious God in the following way:

O Allah! I ask you for guidance, piety, chastity, and independence.” (Muslim)

No one was ever committed to the instructions of the Religion of Peace than Hazrat Muhammad,Who acted as the Best Example for His followers in every regard, yet He ﷺ always asked Allah SWT for assistance for His Guidance in granting piousness and purity in all matters. So, it shows that one should always seek help from Allah to be able to adopt and stay on Sirat al-Mustaqim.

iii)                Reading the Holy Quran

The Sacred Book of Quran is the definitive source of enlightenment and wisdom for all the Muslims. Therefore, to be on Sirat al Mustaqim, one should read, understand, and learn the Holy Quran because it comprehensively addresses many aspects of spiritual as well as other matters concerning life to make its readers fully aware of them. It has got many Holy Verses which emphasize on the followers of Islam to take on righteousness and not to avoid its commandments.

Who say], Our Lord, let not our hearts deviate after You have guided us and grant us from Yourself mercy. Indeed, You are the Bestower.” [Quran, 3: 8]

The above mentioned Ayah shows that one should constantly ask the Almighty for one`s own adherence to Sirat al-Mustaqim as there are countless distractions in one`s life which could make it forget the true way of existence. Furqan e Hameed repeatedly informs the believers about ways of adopting uprightness in life:

Indeed, Allah is my Lord and your Lord, so worship Him. That is the straight path.” [Quran, 3: 51]

The Islamic Aqeedah (Faith) calls for believing in One God, Allah SWT, Whom no one else can be compared with in respect of His Veneration and Honor. That is considered to be the benchmark for entering the circle of Islam, which eventually leads to the correct course of living according to the teachings of this religion.

iv)                Believing Guidance is Only from Allah

Believing in the Greatness of the Almighty also requires having clear consciousness about every matter of life in His Hands only. It is commonly observed that most of the Muslims today lose the true essence of Islamic way of life by looking for help from other people, e.g. Sufis and Mullas and believing in them as the definite collaborators in removing their worries. Allah says in the Holy Quran:

He whom Allah guides is the [rightly] guided, but he whom He leaves astray – never will you find for him a protecting guide.” [Quran, 18:17]

So, there is no room for asking someone else instead of the Most Merciful for guidance and Sirat al-Mustaqim, Who has the Power over lending the right path whoever He wants. There is a great need for care in this regard, which implies that righteous people of the Creator of the universe are only means (Waseela) to seeking Allah`s Assistance, and not the actual helpers.

In short, Sirat al-Mustaqim is the true spirit of living one`s life, i.e. according to the Islamic teachings. It asks for remaining resolute on one`s faith through adopting morality and decency in every walk of life. One can implement the right path in its life by having concrete devotion to its religious convictions through fearing, asking for state of uprightness believing in Allah SWT as the Sole Benefactor in every matter of life, and also through reading the Holy Quran.