GOOD DEEDS

Did you do a good deed today?

Was it to show of to others?
Did you intend to do the good deed only to gain reward? or

Did you do it seeking solely the face of Allah?

A good deed is that which is done seeking solely the face of Allah first and the secondary bonus we get in addition is the reward. We have to be very careful in the intention (Niyyah) we make and the actions we take in carrying out the good deed.

As Al-Fudail Ibn Iya'd, may Allah grant him mercy, once said: "The most sincere, the best guided way. If a deed was sincere but misguided, it is not acceptable. If it were well guided but not sincere, it is not accepted either. Only when it is both sincere and well guided is it accepted by Allah. A sincere deed is that which is intended for Allah's pleasure. The correct deed is that which follows the example of the Sunnah." Correct work must be intended for Allah's pleasure, for He does not accept any deed, which is not intended, purely for His pleasure. As in the Sahih Hadith: "Allah says, 'I am the One among the associates who is in least need for associates. He who does a deed which is intended for anyone other than Me, I am innocent of it. It all goes to he who was associated with Me."' [Reported by Ibn Majah]

We need to do good deeds continously, as we do not know which one of those good deeds will take us to jannah. It only takes one misdeed, yes, only one misdeed to take us to hell-fire... Subhan'Allah just think we can commit all the good deeds we want but it is possible that it may not be accepted and our one mis-deed can take us straight to the hell-fire... Subhan'Allah!

A Person's Deeds and Intentions
Allah has written down the good deeds and the bad ones. Then He explained it [by saying that] he who has intended a good deed and has not done it, Allah writes it down with Himself as a full good deed, but if he has intended it and has done it, Allah writes it down with Himself as from ten good deeds to seven hundred times, or many times over. But if he has intended a bad deed and has not done it, Allah writes it down with Himself as a full good deed, but if he has intended it and has done it, Allah writes it down as one bad deed. [It was related by al-Bukhari and Muslim]

Subhan'Allah, Allah is All forgiving and Most Merciful.

A Good Deed Rewarded
Once a nobleman of khajand died. Later he approached in someone's dream. The noble had once pulled a thorn from am orphan's foot. The dreamer saw the nobleman walking among the flower beds of a heavenly garden. The nobleman told him that the thorn had placed him in the middle of the flowers.

Be as kind and sympathetic to others as possible, because then Allah will be generous to you. Never be proud because you helped someone who was in difficulty. The sword of time that has fallen on them may fall again on you. If you help people and they raise their hands in prayers of gratitude to Allah, you should be thankful that you were His instrument. Kindness and generosity are the correct behaviour of kings and emperors. Indeed, they are the qualities of the prophets of Allah.

[Story taken from: The Rose Garden by Shaykh Sa'di]

Some words of wisdom:

• Like for others the things you like for yourself.
• Do not treat others with injustice as you do not like others to treat you with injustice.
• Do not take your friend's enemy as your friend.
• He who makes good his inner intentions, Allah would make good his outer appearance.

Ali (R.A) advised his son saying: "Profession with adequacy is better than richness with injustice. You should keep your secret within yourself. Keep company with good people and keep away from bad people. The worst food you take is the one you earn in a forbidden way. Be kind to anyone who might be harsh to you, for after a while he would become kind to you."

The most faithful to Allah are in constant fear of hidden shirk, and they continually exert efforts to conceal their righteous deeds, unless for, some reason, there is more benefit.
Concealing one's sin is a duty. A Muslim should not speak of sins he has committed; rather, he should be repent privately and correct his behaviour. Then Allah will conceal that sin for him on the Day of Judgment and forgive him.

Abu Hurairah (R.A) reported: Allah's Messenger (Sallallahu Alayhi Wassalam) said, "Be prompt in doing good deeds (before you are overtaken) by turbulence which would be like a part of the dark night. A man would be a believer in the morning and turn to disbelief in the evening, or he would be a believer in the evening and turn disbeliever in the morning, and would sell his faith for worldly goods.'" [Sahih Al Muslim]

This Hadith tells that the Day of Ressurection will be preceded by long chain of calamities. Because of the rush of these calamities, religion and Faith will loose their value in people. There will be a race for wealth, so much so that people would not hesitate to compromise their religion and faith to acquire wealth. People will rapidly change their faces. This is what is actually happening. In this situation true believers are exhorted to adhere strictly to Faith and perform noble deeds without delay.

In conclusion, we should abstain from bad deeds and lying. We should continue to do good deeds for as long as we live and with full submission to Allah reciting laillaha illallah in full conviction with support of Amaal (good deeds) and Imaan (faith) and only then shall we be on the correct path of those true believers who are striving for jannah...

"whosoever does good equal to the weight of an atom, shall see it and
whosoever does evil equal to the weight of an atom, shall see it."

O Allah, You are my Lord - there is no god but You. You created me, and I am Your servant; and I uphold Your covenant and [my] promise to You as much as I am able. I seek refuge in You from the evil I have done. I acknowledge before You Your favour upon me, and I acknowledge my sin, so forgive me. Indeed, there is none who can forgive sins except You. [Sahih Al Bukhari]

Our Lord, do not let our hearts deviate after You have guided us, and give us from Yourself mercy. Indeed it is You who is the Giver
[of all things]. (Surah Al Imran 3:8)

May Allah grant us the tawfiq to continuously engage in doing good deeds with the right intention...

Insha'Allah Ameen...

In Allah's acceptance is salvation and success.