Faithfulness means living in accordance with the covenant one made with God in pre-eternity. When a believer declares their faith, they are, in that moment, giving their word to God. It is as though they have taken an oath and entered into a binding agreement with Him. True faithfulness lies in fulfilling the terms of this commitment to the letter, living in a way that never breaks that solemn vow.
The declaration of faith is an affirmation that there is no true one worthy of worship and no rightful recipient of devotion other than God. As a reflection of this faithfulness, one must embody this belief not only in thought and emotion but also through speech and action. While a person’s faith, contentment, submission, and trust in God reveal their inward—or theoretical—loyalty, it is through conduct, behavior, and acts of worship that practical faithfulness is made visible. In this sense, faithfulness is not merely an internal bond with God—it is also a commitment to obey His commands and refrain from what He has forbidden.
Faith is, at its core, an inner acceptance. If a person fails to translate the demands of faith into action, they fall into a state of internal contradiction. One who proclaims belief through the declaration of divine oneness yet lives in opposition to God’s commandments is not upholding the requirements of faithfulness. In fact, such behavior amounts to breaking the very promise they made—a breach of the covenant they entered into.
A believer is someone who stands by their word. Once a promise is made, it must be honored—regardless of the cost. This is the example we see in the noble Companions: they pledged unwavering support to the Messenger of God (peace and blessings be upon him), and never deviated, even by an inch, from that promise. They upheld their word even at the cost of their lives. For salvation lies in truthfulness—in being upright in one’s state, speech, and conduct; in being completely and consistently sincere.
Human beings may be endowed with various potentials and distinctive qualities. Yet above all such attributes, the greatest honor a person can attain is servanthood to God. The very purpose of creation—for both humans and jinn—is to come to know and recognize God and to devote oneself to His worship. This purpose can also be described through its spiritual dimensions: faith, divine knowledge (ma‘rifah), love of God (mahabbah), and the joy of spiritual intimacy (dhawq rūhānī).
Throughout the Qur’an, God at times addresses humanity with the words “Yā ‘ibādī”—“O My servants.” In this address, we can sense His affection, compassion, and mercy for His creation. From another perspective, it may be understood as, “O My faithful bondsmen!” For us—weak and fallible beings who often stumble and falter in sin—such a divine call offers immense comfort and profound hope.
What is required of us, as servants of God, is to remain firmly anchored in this perspective and to reject anything that may obstruct or weaken it—just as one would cast away the accursed devil. God Almighty, who created the human being from clay, also endowed them with the capacity to ascend to the horizons of heart and spirit, to be honored with faith, spiritual knowledge, and divine love, and to attain closeness to Him. There are latent seeds within every soul—when nurtured and allowed to flourish, they enable one to become a close and intimate companion of God. This, indeed, is the station we should strive to attain.
For believers devoted to the path of faith, faithfulness holds special significance. Remaining unwavering in their loyalty to the Prophetic way—without straying even by so much as a hair’s breadth—is of the utmost importance. The truly faithful servants of God not only base their worship and devotion entirely on His command—they also tie their very existence in this world to serving His religion. So long as they have the opportunity to serve Islam, life holds value and meaning for them. But when they feel there is no longer anything more they can contribute, the light of the Hereafter begins to shine more brightly before their eyes. At that point, they can say with ease and serenity:
“O God, if my duty in this world has come to an end, then take me into Your presence.”
In saying this, they are not asking for anything that contradicts the destiny God has written for His servants. Rather, they are expressing a longing to be released from their earthly post and reunited with the Divine.
In this regard, Prophet Joseph (peace be upon him) stands as a beautiful example. At the very moment he was reunited with his parents, had become a figure of authority in Egypt, saw the religion he had shared begin to take root in people’s hearts, and witnessed consciences turning toward him—when he had reached the peak of worldly blessings and possessed all that a person might desire for happiness—he turned to God with this heartfelt plea:
“Let me die as a believer, and join me with the righteous.” (Surah Yusuf, 12:101)
If a person feels there is no meaningful duty left for them to fulfill in the service of faith, they may begin to long for release from this worldly life. This, too, is an expression of faithfulness.
Faithful servants of God never tie their worship or service to any worldly gain. They see ranks, titles, positions, and public recognition as spiritually perilous. They have no desire to be admired, to be seen everywhere, or to be fondly remembered by others. In fact, they tremble at the thought that even the slightest trace of such worldly ambition might creep into their devotion—fearing it could result in spiritual loss in the Hereafter. Their motto is simple and sincere:
“O God, if I can no longer serve Your religion, do not let me live even a moment longer!”
It is, of course, natural and desirable for a person to be remembered kindly after their death—to be known for the goodness they left behind and to be honored with prayers and supplications. Who would not wish for people to say:
“May God be eternally pleased with them—for they strove tirelessly to uphold the religion, rendered great services, raised righteous generations, and left behind ongoing charities that continue to add to their book of good deeds. May God grant them His forgiveness and mercy, gladden them with Paradise, and grant them nearness to the Prophet.”
All of this is a beautiful legacy, and we believe such remembrance will benefit a person in the Hereafter. Indeed, the Qur’an tells us that Prophet Abraham (peace be upon him), who is presented as a model for all believers, once prayed:
“Grant me a good name among later generations.” (Surah al-Shu‘arā, 26:84)
However, if someone like us, in this worldly life, grounds their servanthood in recognition and praise, it can no longer be considered sincere. Such an outlook is incompatible with true devotion, genuine servanthood, or authentic faithfulness.
In summary, a faithful believer should strive to spend every moment—every minute, every second, every breath—living for their Lord. Every matter should be connected to God, and every task carried out in His name. They must endure the burdens of this world for His sake, live for Him, sit for Him, rise for Him, and do everything solely for His sake. And if the thought of living for their own sake ever arises, they should be able to present their resignation from life itself before God.
Pursuing worldly ambitions, managing ventures for personal gain, involving oneself in activities believed to offer material or spiritual returns, or seeking public acclaim—all of this stands in direct contradiction to true faithfulness. In fact, such inclinations can rightfully be described as satanic. A person who lives for God cannot at the same time serve the aims of Satan.
If one fails to do the things that bring God’s pleasure, what value is there in receiving worldly praise or being exalted by others? If their efforts were driven by the desire for recognition, they will be held accountable in the Hereafter for those very accolades:
“Tell us—were you truly as they said you were?”
And if the answer is no, they will be cast down in disgrace.
If a person cannot be a true servant, faithful to God, then holding prominent positions, overseeing institutions, or becoming someone widely admired is not a success—it is a loss. And if, like worldly people, they internalize and embrace the praise spoken about them, they will find themselves suffering one loss after another on the path where they had hoped to win.
