A Good Ending: The Fruit of Preserving Faith and Continuing Righteous Deeds

Seyed Hashem Moosavi

As the blessed month of Ramadan comes to an end and we reap its valuable blessings and achievements, a fundamental question arises: How can we use the benefits of this great month to attain one of God’s greatest blessings- a good ending?

This Holy Month of Ramadan was an opportunity to purify the soul, seek forgiveness for sins, and strengthen faith. However, what holds even greater significance is maintaining these achievements until the end of our journey in this world. A good ending is the result of steadfastness in worship and preserving the spiritual light gained from acts of devotion during this sacred month.

In this article, we will explore the key factors that contribute to sustaining faith, continuing righteous deeds, and maintaining the benefits of this Holy month throughout our lives.

Introduction

On the last Friday of the month of Sha’ban, the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him and his family) delivered a sermon known as the Sha‘baniyyah Sermon. At the end of this sermon, Imam Ali (peace be upon him) asked the Messenger of Allah: “What is the best deed in the blessed month of Ramadan?”

The Prophet (pbuh) replied: “Piety and abstaining from what Allah has forbidden are the best deeds in this month.” Then, he began to weep.

When Imam Ali (peace be upon him) inquired about the reason for his tears, the Prophet responded: “Because I see that in this very month, your beard will be dyed with the blood of your head.”

The first concern of Imam Ali (peace be upon him) upon receiving this news was a question that reflects the depth of his faith and devotion: « وذلک فی سلامة من دینی؟ “Will my faith remain intact at that moment?”

The most important lesson to be drawn from this question is the significance of a righteous ending.

Imam Ali (peace be upon him) did not ask how, where, or exactly when he would be martyred. Instead, his greatest concern was whether he would remain a true believer until the very end and be able to preserve his faith.

This concern was not only expressed on that day but continued to manifest in different ways throughout the years, amid various events and challenges.

During the Battle of Uhud, when many of the Prophet’s companions were martyred, Imam Ali (peace be upon him) was deeply distressed. Worried that he had not yet attained martyrdom, he went to the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him and his family) and said: You told me: «الشهادة من ورائک؛   martyrdom is behind you. So why have I not been granted the honor of martyrdom? This deeply concerns me.”

The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him and his family) reassured him, saying: “Do not worry, you will certainly be martyred. But tell me, will you remain patient at that moment?” Imam Ali (peace be upon him) replied: “O Messenger of Allah, martyrdom is a moment of gratitude, not patience.”

Furthermore, in his letter to Mālik al-Ashtar, Imam Ali (peace be upon him) wrote: « وَ أَنَا أَسْأَلُ اَللَّهَ تَعَالَى … أَنْ يَخْتِمَ لِي وَ لَكَ بِالسَّعَادَةِ وَ اَلشَّهَادَةِ إِنَّا إِلَيْهِ رَاغِبُونَ؛ “I ask Allah, the Almighty… to grant both you and me a blessed ending with martyrdom and true happiness, for indeed, we long for Him.”

The Importance of a Righteous Ending in the Quran

Numerous verses in the Holy Quran emphasize the necessity of striving to remain faithful and leave this world as true believers. Here are some examples:

1. God’s Command to the Believers

Allah, the Almighty, instructs the believers: «یا ایّها الّذین آمنوا اتّقوا اللّه حقّ تقاته و لاتموتنّ الّا و انتم مسلمون؛ “O you who have believed, fear Allah as He should be feared and do not die except as Muslims.” (Surah Aal-e-Imran, 3:102)

2. Prophet Ibrahim’s Advice to His Children

The Quran recounts the final counsel of Prophet Ibrahim and Prophet Ya‘qub to their children: «و وصّی بها ابراهیم بنیه و یعقوب یا بنیّ انّ اللّه اصطفی لکم الدّین فلا تموتنّ الّا و انتم مسلمون؛ “And Ibrahim enjoined his sons (to follow this faith), as did Ya‘qub: ‘O my sons, indeed Allah has chosen this religion for you, so do not die except in a state of submission (as Muslims).’” (Surah Al-Baqarah, 2:132)

Being a Muslim in this context means submitting to God’s will and following the divine religion of one’s time.

3. The Prayer of the Knowledgeable (Rāsikhūn fil-‘Ilm)

The Quran highlights the supplication of those deeply rooted in knowledge: «الرّاسخون فی العلم آمنّا به…ربّنا لاتزغ قلوبنا بعد اذ هدیتنا و هب لنا من لدنک رحمةً انّک انت الوهّاب؛ “…We believe in it… Our Lord do not let our hearts deviate after You have guided us, and grant us mercy from Yourself. Indeed, You are the Bestower.” (Surah Aal-e-Imran, 3:7-8)

If such spiritually elevated individuals still fear deviation despite their deep knowledge and self-discipline, it underscores the importance of continuously striving for a righteous ending.

Another key lesson from this verse is that being guided is important, but remaining on the path of guidance is even more crucial. Therefore, one must seek protection from misguidance and continuously pray for divine assistance in staying on the right path.

The Importance of a Righteous Ending in Hadiths

Islamic teachings place great emphasis on preserving faith and remaining steadfast in belief until the very end of one’s life. Many hadiths highlight this concept, and here are a few examples:

1. Actions Are Judged by Their Ending

The Holy Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him and his family) said: «انّ العبد لیعمل عمل اهل النّار و انّه من اهل الجنّة و انّه لیعمل عمل اهل الجنّة و انّه من اهل النّار، و انما الاعمال بالخواتیم؛ “A person may act like the people of Hell while he is actually destined for Paradise, and another may act like the people of Paradise while he is actually destined for Hell. Indeed, deeds are judged by their final outcome.”

A striking example of this hadith is Hārūn al-Rashīd, the Abbasid ruler.

Historians narrate that one day, Hārūn visited Fudayl ibn ‘Iyād, a pious and righteous scholar of his time. Fudayl, known for his fearlessness in speaking the truth, severely criticized Hārūn’s oppressive rule and warned him of the divine punishment awaiting tyrants.

Upon hearing these words, Hārūn wept so intensely that he fainted. When he regained consciousness, he requested more advice, and each time, he would lose consciousness from the intensity of his emotions. Moved by the encounter, he even offered a thousand gold dinars to Fudayl for charitable causes.

This moment of repentance and humility was an act worthy of Paradise. However, despite this, Hārūn later committed numerous injustices, including the imprisonment and martyrdom of Imam Musa al-Kadhim (peace be upon him), ultimately making himself deserving of Hellfire.

2. True Goodness Lies in a Righteous Ending

The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him and his family) also said: «اذا اراد اللّه بعبدٍ خیراً طهّره قبل موته قیل ما طهوره العبد؟ قال: عملٌ صالح یلهمه ایّاه حتّی یقبضه علیه؛ “When Allah wills good for a servant, He purifies him before his death.” Someone asked: “How does He purify him?” The Prophet replied: “He inspires him to perform righteous deeds and grants him the ability to remain steadfast in them until he departs from this world.”

The Importance of Seeking a Righteous Ending in Supplications and Prayers

The supplications of the Infallibles (peace be upon them) emphasize the significance of a righteous ending, to the extent that few prayers can be found that do not mention it. In fact, some supplications focus entirely on this theme. Here are a few examples:

1. Ziyarat Ashura

In this well-known supplication, we ask Allah: «اللّهم اجعل محیای محیا محمّدٍ و آل محمّد و مماتی ممات محمّدٍ و آل محمّد؛   “O Allah, make my life like the life of Muhammad and the family of Muhammad, and make my death like the death of Muhammad and the family of Muhammad.”

2. Du’a Abu Hamza al-Thumali

In this heartfelt supplication, we find: «و توفّنی فی سبیلک و علی ملّة رسولک…اللهم انّی اسئلک ایماناً لااجل له دون لقائک؛ “Grant me death in Your path and upon the faith of Your Messenger… O Allah, I ask You for a faith that does not end except with meeting You.”

3. Du’a Al-‘Adeelah

At the conclusion of Du’a Al-‘Adeelah, one of the most profound prayers concerning faith at the time of death, we say: «اللّهم انّی اعوذ بک من العدیلة عند الموت؛ “O Allah, I seek refuge in You from deviating from faith at the moment of death.”

Factors for Maintaining Faith and Preserving Spiritual Gains

As mentioned earlier, the holy month of Ramadan is a valuable opportunity for self-purification, strengthening faith, and drawing closer to Allah. However, the true challenge lies in preserving these spiritual achievements after Ramadan ends. To ensure that the spirituality gained during this Blessed Month remains with us throughout our lives, we must focus on several key factors:

1. Strengthening and Continuity in Worship

Worship is the foundation of faith and should not be limited to this Holy Month alone. Performing recommended (nafilah) prayers, maintaining the recitation of the Quran, supplications, and remembrance (dhikr), and observing voluntary fasts, especially on Mondays, Thursdays, and the white days (13th, 14th, and 15th of each lunar month), help sustain the spirit of piety and keep the experience alive in our daily lives.

2. Avoiding Sins and Guarding the Heart

One of the most important factors in faith stability is abstaining from sins and keeping the heart pure. If we return to our past wrongdoings after this Holy Month, the spiritual effects of the month will gradually fade. Protecting our gaze, speech, and actions ensures the preservation of faith and strengthens our connection with Allah.

3. Developing a Close Relationship with the Quran

The Quran is the ultimate source of guidance, and the Blessed Month is the time when we establish the deepest connection with it. To preserve the light of the Holy Month of Ramadan, we must continue reciting the Quran regularly and reflect on its meanings, striving to implement divine teachings in our daily lives.

4. Keeping Company with Scholars and the Righteous

The people we associate with have a profound impact on our faith and spiritual journey. Surrounding ourselves with righteous companions and those who remind us of Allah and good deeds helps us stay on the right path. Imam Ali (peace be upon him) said: «جالِسِ العُلماءَ تَسعَدْ؛ “Sit with scholars, and you will attain happiness.”

5. Sincerity in Intention and Actions

One of the keyways to maintain faith is to perform actions with a sincere intention seeking only the pleasure of Allah. When our deeds are solely for the sake of Allah, the benefits of these actions will remain in our lives and lead to enduring blessings.

6. Contemplation on the Outcome of Actions and Remembrance of Death

Remembering death and reflecting on the consequences of our actions help keep us mindful and prevent negligence. Those who consistently think about their righteous ending and reflect on the consequences of their deeds are more motivated to preserve their faith and avoid sin.

7. Continuity in Repentance and Seeking Forgiveness

Just as we turned to Allah for forgiveness during the Month of Ramadan, we must continue to seek repentance throughout the year. Constant tawbah (repentance) and istighfar (seeking forgiveness) cleanse us from our mistakes and guide us back onto the correct path, ultimately leading to a righteous ending.

Hudhayfah ibn al-Yaman, a companion of the Prophet (peace be upon him and his family), narrated: “I was a person with a harsh tongue and I used to be rude to my family. I said: ‘O Messenger of Allah, I fear that my harshness will lead me to Hell.’ The Prophet (pbuh) replied: «فاين انت من الاستغفار اني لاستغفرالله في اليوم مأة مّره؛  ‘What about your seeking forgiveness? Indeed, I seek forgiveness from Allah a hundred times a day.’”

8. Honoring Allah’s Rights

Imam Ja’far al-Sadiq (peace be upon him) said: «إنْ أرَدْتَ أنْ يَخْتِمَ بِخَيْرٍ عَمَلُكَ حَتَّى تُقْبَضَ وَ أنْتَ فِى أفْضَلِ الأعْمَالِ فَعَظِّمْ لِلَّهِ حَقَّهُ أنْ تَبْذُلَ نَعْمَائَهُ فِى مَعَاصِيهِ وَ أنْ تَغْتَرَّ بِحِلْمِهِ عَنْكَ وَ أكْرِمْ كُلَّ مَنْ وَجَدْتَهُ يَذْكُرُ مِنَّا أوْ يَنْتَحِلَّ مَوَدَّتَنَا؛ “If you wish for your deeds to conclude well, and for you to depart in the best of states, then magnify the rights of Allah by not using His blessings in His disobedience. Do not be deceived by His forbearance towards you and honor every person who speaks well of us or holds affection for us.”

Conclusion: Self-Accountability

Ultimately, the essence of all these practices is self-accountability. A person who keeps track of their material and spiritual life is assured of success in both this world and the Hereafter. This Blessed Month is just the beginning, and we must strive to maintain the spiritual light gained during this month, continuing to benefit from its blessings on the path of drawing closer to Allah.