Tuesday, November 19, 2013

True Heroes Among Us

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
In the Name of Allah, Most Merciful, Most Compassionate

Assalaamu alaykum

Dear Friends

I pray that you are well.

People who have always been taken for granted, never given credit for their true sacrifices, ideals, and deeds are the true heroes, the unsung heroes among us. Nevertheless, believers don't need people to see and know about their good deeds.

The Prophet sallallahu alayhi wassallam warned us that "...whoever does a good deed in order to show off, Allah will expose his intentions on the Day of Resurrection (before the people), and whoever puts the people into difficulties, Allah will put him into difficulties on the Day of Resurrection..."[Bukhari]

We should suffice that Allah sees and knows everything good we do. And we keep doing them.

Allah Almighty sends a stern warning to those who can’t be bothered to do even the small acts of kindness that are very easy for them to do, let alone paying zakat and sacrificing their person and wealth for Allah.

Allah Almighty says,
فَوَيْلٌ لِّلْمُصَلِّينَ ﴿٤﴾ ٱلَّذِينَ هُمْ عَن صَلَاتِهِمْ سَاهُونَ ﴿٥﴾ ٱلَّذِينَ هُمْ يُرَآءُونَ ﴿٦﴾ وَيَمْنَعُونَ ٱلْمَاعُونَ ﴿٧

So woe to those who pray (4) [But] who are heedless of their prayer - (5) Those who make show [of their deeds] (6) And withhold [simple] assistance. (7)
[Qur'an Al-Ma'un 107:4-7]

Allah Al-Wadood, The Most-Loving, loves us to perform acts of kindness for others, no matter how big or small. The Prophet salallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam said:
Kindness is not to be found in anything but that it adds to its beauty and it is not withdrawn from anything but it makes it defective.
[Bukhari]

A small good deed may not change the world but it may change a person's whole world. There are many opportunities out there, even in your own household.

Here are a few examples of daily opportunities of good:

Give your mom a hug or call her and tell her you love her. If she is not living, then do same to your maternal aunt.

Tell your friend you love her/him.

Drop a note or text to a relative or an old friend that you haven't seen for a while.

Look for opportunities to give compliments; they’re free, take no time, and could make someone’s entire day. Don’t just think it— say it. Compliment someone’s child. The parents will feel great too.

Sincerely listen to someone. Don’t interrupt, and don’t suggest a solution. It’s very important and comforting just to be listened to. The Prophet salallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam listened without interrupting to a very lengthy story from his wife Aisha radiyallahu ‘anha until she finished her story.

Give a small gift to a new acquaintance, or pay someone's meal, or make a little extra food that you are making and send some to your neighbor, or make a little gift basket for your teacher. The Prophet salallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam said, "Give each other gifts and you will love each other." [Bukhari]

Allow someone to help you. Let them enjoy performing an act of kindness and gain reward.

Show a smiling face. Start everyday with a smile. It will make you feel better and brighten up someone next to you. Smile at old people and children especially. It might make their day. You don't have a lot of money to give charity. A smile is also a charity.

As Muslims we are to give charity day and night, secretly and publicly. Giving charity is a sign of a good Muslim. Charity is testament of true faith and devotion. A true believer gives a lot of charity. Charity is the best and most beloved thing to Allah.

The Prophet, Allah bless him and grant him peace, taught us the surest way to attract the blessings of Allah. It is by being kind, compassionate and merciful to Allah's creatures.
The Most Compassionate is kind on those who are kind to others. If you would show kindness to those who live on the earth, He who lives in the Heaven, shall shower His blessings on you.
(Abu Dawood)

Allah is Al-Latif, The Subtle, and one of His ways is sending people to others to lift them up. Bringing happiness to the heart of people will bring you tremendous bounties from the largess of Al-Karim and mercy of the All Merciful.

May Allah make us of those who do small and big acts of kindness to others. May Allah remove our selfishness and stinginess, make us among the generous and means of bringing happiness to hearts of people. Ameen.

Please don't forget us in your night prayers. Jazakallahu khairan.

And Allah knows best.
Wassalaam

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