What is the way to reach the rank of "the foremost, the foremost, those are the ones brought near," and to get rid of mistakes and slips, and to remain steadfast in purity, uprightness, and piety until death, while mingling with people and engaging in life's affairs?

To attain the rank of the Foremost, the Near Ones, the servant must remain steadfast in Allah's religion by abandoning forbidden acts and performing obligatory ones, in accordance with the Prophet's (peace be upon him) saying: "Abstain from the unlawful, and you will be the most devout of people," and Allah's (the Most High) saying in the Hadith Qudsi: "My servant does not draw near to Me with anything more beloved to Me than that which I have made obligatory upon him. My servant continues to draw near to Me with supererogatory acts until I love him." The means to steadfastness include striving against one's self (mujahadat al-nafs), being mindful of Allah (muraqabat Allah), frequent seeking of forgiveness (istighfar) and sincere repentance, associating with righteous companions among believing youth who assist in good deeds, strengthening one's connection with Allah through abundant supplication, performing supererogatory acts, reciting the Qur'an with contemplation, frequently engaging in remembrance (dhikr) in all situations, and maintaining the prescribed morning and evening remembrances and those after prayers.