It was the habit of the Prophet, , that whenever he did a particular deed, he would keep doing it regularly thereafter. Hence, he, , said: “The dearest deeds to Allah The Almighty are those which are done regularly, no matter how little they might be.” [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]
In a Hadeeth on the authority of Abu Hurayrah, may Allah be pleased with him, he said that it was the habit of the Messenger of Allah, , to practice I’tikaaf (seclusion in the mosque with thin intention of worship) every Ramadan for ten days. In the year of his death, he, , stayed in the mosque in seclusion for twenty days. Moreover, the Quran would be recited by Jibreel (Gabriel), may Allah exalt his mention, for revision to him once every year. However, in the year of his death, the Quran was recited to him (for revision) twice. [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]
In a Hadeeth on the authority of ‘Aa’ishah, may Allah be pleased with her, she said,
The Messenger of Allah would often say before his death:“Subhaanaka Allahumma wa bihamdika, astaghfiruka wa atooboo ilayk [Glory be to You, with Your praise (I exalt You). I ask for Your forgiveness, and I turn in repentance to You].” I asked him, “O Messenger of Allah, what are these words which I find you saying?”He , replied: “There has been made a sign for me in my Ummah, whenever I would see it, I should say these words, (the verses which mean:){When the Victory of Allah has come and the conquest, And you see the people entering into the religion of Allah in multitudes, then exalt [Him] with praise of your Lord and ask forgiveness of Him. Indeed, He is ever Accepting of repentance.} [Quran 110]” [Muslim]
It was reported that Ibn ‘Abbaas, may Allah be pleased with him, said to ‘Umar ibn Al-Khattaab, may Allah be pleased with him, about this chapter, “It portended the death of the Messenger of Allah about which Allah had informed him.” ‘Umar, may Allah be pleased with him, said, “I only know from this verse what you know.”[Al-Bukhari]
It was said that this chapter was revealed on the day of An-Nahr (slaughtering sacrifice- ‘Eed day), when the Messenger of Allah, , was in Mina, during the Farewell Hajj. According to another saying, it was revealed on the days of Tashreeq (the three days after ‘Eed). According to At-Tabaraani when this chapter was revealed, the Messenger of Allah, , strove to the utmost of his power to do more deeds for the Hereafter. Hence, ‘Aa’ishah, may Allah be pleased with her, said, “The Messenger of Allah would say in his bowing and prostration: ‘Subhaanak Allahumma wa bihamdik, astaghfiruka wa atooboo ilayk [Glory be to You O Allah, our Lord, with Your praise (I exalt You); forgive me].’ In this way, he was complying with (the order of) the Quran.” [Al-Bukhari and Muslim] This means that he was thereby complying with the command given by Allah The Almighty to him as stated in His saying (which means): {Then exalt [Him] with praise of your Lord and ask forgiveness of Him. Indeed, He is ever Accepting of repentance.} [Quran 110:3]
Summary: There are many lessons and benefits to be learned from this article, some of which are:
An exhortation to do righteous deeds regularly, on the basis that the deed which is done regularly, no matter how little it might be, is better than the deed which is done interruptedly, no matter how great or how much it might be. The regularity of doing righteous deeds makes regular the acts of obedience, remembering Allah, observation (of the commandments of Allah), true intention and sincerity, and devotion to the Creator. Indeed the little which is done regularly proliferates, for it turns to be many times that which is done intermittently.
If one forces himself to do a particular act of worship in a way that is beyond his capacity, there is fear that he may become apathetic, and this might lead him to neglect it.
As a Muslim ages, he should endeavour to work righteously as much as he can, within his power, in order to meet Allah The Almighty while being in the best of states. Indeed, the results of deeds depend upon their concluding actions, and the best (actions of the) righteous deeds are those with which they are concluded.