REMEMBRANCE OF ALLAH (DHIKR):
This is one of the greatest means of being steadfast in Islam.Think about the combination described in this ayah (interpretation of the meaning):
“O you who believe! When you meet (an enemy) force, take a firm stand against them and remember the Name of Allaah much, so that you may be successful.”
(Al-Qur’an 8:45)
Dhikr is one of the most effective aids to standing firm in jihad..
“Think about how the physical strength of the Persians and Romans let them down when they needed it most.”
[Ibn al-Qayyim, may Allah have mercy on him, in ad-Da’ wa’d-Dawa’]
– despite the small numbers of men and weapons of those who remembered the Name of Allah much.
How did Yusuf (upon whom be peace) stand firm in the face of temptation of the part of the powerful and beautiful woman who called him to do wrong? Did he not enter the fortress of “seeking refuge in Allah” and thus defeat the waves of temptation? This is the effect of adhkar (remembering Allah) on making the believers steadfast.
HAVING CONFIDENCE IN THE ROAD YOU ARE FOLLOWING:
No doubt the more confident the Muslim is of the path he is following, the more steadfast he will be in adhering to it. There are many ways of achieving this, including the following:
Feeling that the way which you are following is not something new that started in this century, but that it is an ancient and venerable way which the Prophets, speakers of truth, scholars, martyrs and righteous people have followed before you. This will reduce your feelings of loneliness and replace your alienation with a sense of comfort, and your sadness will turn to joy because you will feel that all these people are your brothers in this way and methodology.
Feeling that you are among the chosen. Allah says (interpretation of the meanings):
” … Praise and thanks be to Allah, and peace be on His slaves whom He has chosen (for His Message)!”
(Al-Qur’an 27:59)
“Then We gave the Book (the Qur’an) for inheritance to such of Our slaves as We chose … ”
(Al-Qur’an 35:32)
“Thus will your Lord choose you and teach you the interpretation of dreams (and other things) … ”
(Al-Qur’an 12:6)
Just as Allah has chosen the Prophets, so the righteous have a share in this being chosen, which is that they have inherited the knowledge of the Prophets.