6.1, Ways of Doing Good

I seek refuge in Allah from Satan, the accursed, and I begin in the Name of Allah, the Most Glorified and Exalted, who says in the Qur’an, “… and whatever you do of good deeds, truly, Allah knows it well.” (2: 215)

In another place, Allah says, “And whatever good you do, Allahs knows it.” (2: 197)

Further, Allah says, “So whosoever does good equal to the weight of an atom (or a small ant), shall see it.” (99: 7)

And Allah says, “Whosoever does a good deed, it is for his ownself...” (45:15)

AND the pages of the Qur’an are filled with many verses besides these; encouraging us to do good deeds for ourselves and reminding us that it will not go unseen.

What avenues are open to us for doing good? Subhaana-Allah they are numerous, and that is the topic of this article.

Abu Dharr (RA) reported: I asked: “O Messenger of Allah! Which action is the best?'” He (SAW) said, “Faith in Allah and Jihad in the way of Allah.” I asked: “Which neck (i.e. slave) is best (for emancipation)?” He (SAW) said, “That which is dearest of them in price and most valuable of them to its masters.” I asked: “If I cannot afford (it)?” He (SAW) said, “Then help a labourer or work for one who is disabled”. I asked: “If I cannot do (it)?” He (SAW) said, “You should restrain yourself from doing wrong to people, because it (serves as) charity which you bestow upon yourself”. (Bukhari and Muslim)

We see in this Hadith the requirement of faith for the acceptance of good deeds, the excellence of Jihad in the way of Allah and the importance of helping others. What we also see is that refraining from evil is a good deed. This is an important concept that we need to understand. When we refrain from something disliked, not only do we save ourselves from falling into a pit of bad deeds but, by it, we earn the good pleasure of Allah. Intending to do good is recorded, actually doing good is recorded, and, importantly, refraining from that which is disliked is also recorded as a good deed.

For example, as mentioned in the Hadith, refraining from wronging others serves as charity bestowed upon our selves. But this principle also applies to other disliked acts: Distancing ourselves from alcohol, controlling our gaze, avoiding illicit relations with those of the opposite sex, not engaging in Riba, and so on. Though we may not see the immediate benefit we should respond to negative temptations with a positive outlook. In overcoming our desires, not only do we save ourselves from sin but it is a charity that we bestow upon ourselves.

How else can we bestow this charity upon ourselves? Abu Dharr (RA) reported: The Messenger of Allah (SAW) said, “When you get up in the morning, charity is due from every one of your joints. There is charity in every ascription of glory to Allah; there is charity in every declaration of His Greatness; there is charity in every utterance of praise of Him; there is charity in every declaration that He is the only true God (worthy of worship); there is charity in enjoining good; there is charity in forbidding evil. Two Rak’ah of Duha (Forenoon prayer) is equal to all this (in reward)”. (Muslim)

There are three hundred and sixty joins in a human body. It is these joints which enable us to work and make all kinds of movements. If we did not have these joints it would not be possible for us to sit, stand, lie, move and make use of the different organs in our body. Think how much trouble the absence of just one joint would cause. Thus every joint is a blessing for which we must express gratitude to Allah every single day.

It is yet another Blessing of Allah that He has taught us a very easy way of thanksgiving which can be practised by even the poorest man in the world. This means of thanksgiving is recitation of Tasbeeh (Subhaan-Allah), Tamheed (Alhumdulillah), Takbir (Allahu Akbar), Tahleel (Laa ilaaha illa-Allahu), and to preach virtue and forbid that which is wrong and unlawful. If we are unable to do even this, then we should perform two Rak’ah of Duha (forenoon/morning) prayer, and how easy this is for the students amongst us given that lectures and tutorials are over for the year.