Say 'I believe' and be steadfast

Arabic

قُلْتُ: يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ، قُلْ لِي فِي الْإِسْلَامِ قَوْلًا لَا أَسْأَلُ عَنْهُ أَحَدًا غَيْرَكَ. قَالَ: قُلْ آمَنْتُ بِاللَّهِ ثُمَّ اسْتَقِمْ.

Translation

I said: 'O Messenger of Allah, tell me something about Islam that I will not need to ask anyone after you.' He said: 'Say: I believe in Allah — then be steadfast (istaqim).'

Narrator

Sufyān ibn ʿAbdullāh ath-Thaqafī

Source

Muslim 38

Commentary

The whole of the religion in three words: believe, then hold the line. Istiqāmah is not perfection; it is direction — setting your face toward Allah and not turning away, even when you fall and rise repeatedly.