Ways to Earn Reward From Allaah

In the name of Allaah the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful.

All praise is due to Allaah alone; may He send salutations and exalt the mention of the seal of all Prophets and Messengers, our Prophet Muhammad, his family and all his companions.

It is from the mercy of Allaah that He has legislated many deeds through which people can earn great rewards. In this article, we will mention some of the acts which Muslims should exert extra effort in performing in order to increase their account in their record of good deeds.

The Muslim can earn a great deal of reward, if Allaah helps him to do righteous deeds.

There are many different kinds of righteous deeds that can be done by rich and poor, old and young, male and female, depending on each person’s circumstances, ambition and energy, after the help of Allaah.

Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

“Whoever works righteousness - whether male or female - while he (or she) is a true believer (of Islamic Monotheism) verily, to him We will give a good life (in this world with respect, contentment and lawful provision), and We shall pay them certainly a reward in proportion to the best of what they used to do (i.e. Paradise in the Hereafter)”

[al-Nahl 16:97].

It was narrated from Abu Hurayrah that the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Hasten to do good deeds before there come tribulations like pieces of a dark night, when a man will be a believer in the morning and a kaafir by evening, or he will be a believer in the evening and a kaafir by morning, selling his religious commitment for worldly gain.” Narrated by Muslim, 118.

The kinds of good deeds that a person can do include the following:

1. Performing complete and proper ablution.

Narrated from Uthmaan ibn Affaan (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Whosoever performs a complete and proper ablution, his sins will emerge from his body until they even come out from beneath his fingernails.” (Narrated by Muslim, 245).

2. Supplication between the Adhan and Iqamah.

Anas (may Allah be pleased with him) said: The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “Du’a is not rejected between the adhan and iqamah, so engage in du’a (supplication).” (Narrated by al-Tirmidhi, 212; Abu Dawud, 437; Ahmad, 12174 – this version narrated by him. Classed as sahih by al-Albani in Saheeh Abi Dawud, 489).

3. Performing the five daily prayers.

?The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: "There is no Muslim who, at the time of prayer, performs ablution properly, then performs the prayer in humility before Allaah and perfects its pillars; except that this will expiate all his past minor sins. This is for every prayer throughout his life." (Narrated by Muslim).

And it is also supported by the report narrated by Ahmad (18345) from Hanzhalah al-Kaatib, who said: I heard the Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) say: “Whoever regularly offers the five daily prayers, with their bowing, prostration and wudoo’, offering them on time, and realises that they are truly prescribed by Allah, will enter Paradise” or “Paradise will be his due.”

The commentators on al-Musnad said: It is saheeh when its corroborating evidence is taken into account.

4. Seeking Allaah forgiveness.

Narrated from Abdullaahi ibn Abbaas (may Allah be pleased with them both) that the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: "For he who always seeks the forgiveness Allaah, Allaah will relieve him from all adversities, make a away out for him from hardships and provide him from means which he could never have expected."

5. Recitation of the Qur`aan.

At-Tirmidhi (2910) narrated that Abdullah ibn Mas’uud (may Allah be pleased with him) said: The Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said: “Whoever recites a harf of the Book of Allah will have one hasanah for it, and each hasanah brings a tenfold reward. I do not say that Alif-Laam-Meem is a harf; rather alif is a harf, laam is a harf and meem is a harf.”

Classed as saheeh by al-Albaani (may Allah have mercy on him) in Saheeh Sunan at-Tirmidhi.

And it was narrated from Abu Umaamah al-Baahili (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: I heard the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) say: “Read the Qur’aan, for it will come on the Day of Resurrection and intercede for its companions…” (Narrated by Muslim, 804).

6. Learning and teaching the Qur`aan.

Narrated from ‘Uthmaan ibn ‘Affaan (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Prophet of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: "The best among of you is the one who learns the Qur`aan and teaches it to others."). (Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 5027).

7. Praying in congregation in the mosque.

It was narrated from Abu Hurayrah (may Allaah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Whoever goes to the mosque in the morning and evening, Allaah will prepare for him an honourable place in Paradise every time he goes and comes.” Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 631; Muslim, 669. ?

8. Attending funerals and offering the funeral prayer.

It was narrated that Abu Hurayrah (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Whoever attends a funeral until he offers the (funeral) prayer will have one qiraat (of reward) and whoever attends until the burial is done will have two qiraats.” It was said: “What are the two qiraats?” He said: “Like two great mountains.” Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 1261; Muslim, 945

9. Saying “Laa ilaaha ill-Allaah wahdahu laa shareeka lah, lahu’l-mulk wa lahu’l-hamd wa huwa ‘ala kulli shay’in qadeer (There is no god but Allaah alone, with no partner or associate; His is the Dominion, to Him be all praise, and He is able to do all things)” one hundred times each day.

It was narrated from Abu Hurayrah (may Allaah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Whoever says Laa ilaaha ill-Allaah wahdahu laa shareeka lah, lahu’l-mulk wa lahu’l-hamd wa huwa ‘ala kulli shay’in qadeer one hundred times in a day, it will be as if he freed ten slaves, and one hundred hasanaat (good deeds) will be recorded for him, and one hundred sayi’aat (bad deeds) will be erased from him, and it will be a protection for him against the Shaytaan all that day until evening comes. No one can do anything better than that except one who does more.”

Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 3119; Muslim, 2691.

10. Upholding the ties of kinship.

It was narrated that Anas (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: I heard the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) say: “Whoever would like his provision to be increased and his lifespan extended, let him uphold his ties of kinship.”

Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 5639; Muslim, 2557.

11. Observing voluntary fasts, visiting the sick and giving charity.

It was narrated that Abu Hurayrah (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Who among you is fasting today?” Abu Bakr (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: “I am.” He said: “Who among you has attended a funeral today?” Abu Bakr (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: “I have.” He said: “Who among you has fed a poor person today?’ Abu Bakr (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: “I have.” He said: “Who among you has visited a sick person today?” Abu Bakr (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: “I have.” The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “These (traits) are not combined in a person but he will enter Paradise.” Narrated by Muslim, 1028.

12. Saying Subhaan Allaah wa bi hamdih (Praise and glory be to Allaah) one hundred times.

It was narrated that Abu Hurayrah (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Whoever says Subhaan Allaah wa bi hamdih (Praise and glory be to Allaah) one hundred times, morning and evening, his sins will be erased even if they are like the foam of the sea.” Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 6042; Muslim, 2691.

13. Doing Tasbeeh, tahmeed and takbeer, and enjoining what is good and forbidding what is evil, and praying Duha.

It was narrated from Abu Dharr (may Allaah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “For every bone of the son of Adam a charity must be given each day. Every tasbeehah [saying Subhaan Allaah (Glory be to Allaah)] is a charity, every tahmeedah [saying al-hamdu Lillaah (praise be to Allaah)] is a charity, every tahleelah [saying Laa ilaaha ill-Allaah (There is no god but Allaah)] is a charity, every takbeerah [saying Allaahu akbar [Allaah is Most Great]) is a charity, enjoining what is good is a charity, forbidding what is evil is a charity, and two rak’ahs offered in the mid-morning (Duha) is sufficient.” Narrated by Muslim, 720.

14. Umrah in the month of Ramadaan.

Al-Bukhaari (1782) and Muslim (1256) narrated that Ibn Abbaas (may Allaah be pleased with them) said: The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said to a woman from among the Ansaar – Ibn ‘Abbaas mentioned her name but I forgot it – “What kept you from performing Hajj with us?” She said: We only have two camels and the father of her son and her son had gone for Hajj on one camel, and he left us the other camel so that we could carry water on it. He said: “When Ramadaan comes, go for ‘Umrah, for ‘Umrah in (that month) is equivalent to Hajj.”

15. Women praying at home.

It was narrated from Abdullaahi ibn Umar (may Allaah be pleased with them) that the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Do not deprive your women from praying in the house of Allaah (i.e., the mosques) but praying at home is better for them (in reward).” Narrated by Ahmad, 2/76, Abu Dawood, 567, Al-Haakim, 1/209, al-Bayhaqi, 3/131.

16. Supplications (Adhkaar) after prayer.

It was narrated that Abu Hurayrah (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Whoever glorifies Allah (says Subhanallaahi ) thirty-three times immediately after each prayer, and praises Allah (says Al-hamdu Lillaahi) thirty-three times, and magnifies Allah (says Allaahu Akbar) thirty-three times, this makes ninety-nine, then to complete one hundred says La ilaaha illa Allaah wahdahu laa shariika lahu, lahul-mulku wa lahul-hamdu wa huwa ‘ala kulli shayin qadiir (There is no god except Allah Alone, with no partner, His is the power and His is the praise, and He is Able to do all things) his sins will be forgiven even if they are like the foam of the sea.” (Reported by Muslim, 939).

17. Thanking Allaah after eating or drinking.

It was narrated that Anas ibn Malik (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: the Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said: “Allah is pleased with a person who eats some food and then praises Him for it, or who drinks some drink and then praises Him for it.” Narrated by Muslim, 2734.

(When Allaah is pleased with a slave He forgives his sins).

18. Zakat Al-Fitr.

It was narrated that Abdullaahi ibn Abbaas (may Allaah be pleased with them) said: “The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) made Zakat Al-Fitr obligatory as a means of purifying the fasting person from idle talk and foul language and feeding the poor. It is accepted as Zakat from whoever pays it before the (Eid) prayer, and as a (simple) charity from whoever pays it after that.” Narrated by Abu Dawood, 1371.

19. Optional charity.

It was narrated that Ka'b ibn ‘Hujrah (may Allah be pleased with him) said: The Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said to me: “Charity extinguishes sin as water extinguishes fire.” Narrated by Al-Tirmidhi (614); classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Sunan al-Tirmidhi.

20. Spread the Islamic salutation (of salaam).

It was narrated that Abdullaahi ibn Salam (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: the Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said: ‘O people! Spread (the greeting of) Salam - (by say: Assalaamu Alaeykum Warahmatullaahi Wabarakaatuh, or Assalaamu Alaeykum Warahmatullaahi, or Assalaamu Alaeykum) -, feed others, uphold the ties of kinship, and pray during the night when people are sleeping, and you will enter Paradise peacefully.” Narrated by Al-Tirmidhi, Ibn Majah` (3374); classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Targeeb, vol.3, p.24, Hadith 2697.

21. Removing harmful objects from people’s way.

?It is narrated from Abu Hurayrah (may Allaah be pleased with him) that the Prophet of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “I saw a man enjoying himself in Paradise (simply) because he removed from a road a tree that used to harm people.” Narrated by Muslim, 1914.

22. Dutifulness to parents.

It was reported in Saheeh Muslim from Abu Hurayrah (may Allaah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: He is doomed, he is doomed, he is doomed. It was said, Who, O Messenger of Allaah? He said, The person whose parents, one or both of them, reach old age during his lifetime but he does not enter Paradise. (Saheeh Muslim, 4627).

23. The wife’s obedience to her husband.

It is narrated from Abdur-Rahmaan ibn Awf (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: the Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said: “If a woman prays the five obligatory daily prayers, fasts the month of Ramadaan, guards her private parts (from adultery and fornication), and obeys her husband, it will be said to her: ‘Enter Paradise from whichever of the gates of Paradise you wish.’” Narrated by Ahmad, hadith (1661), and Ibn Hibbaan from Abu Hurayrah, hadith (4163). Classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Jaami’, no. 660.

24. Earning lawfully.

It was narrated that Raafi’ ibn Khadeej (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: It was said: O Messenger of Allaah, what kind of earning is best? He said: “For a man to work with his hands and every honest transaction.” Narrated by Ahmad (17265); classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Targheeb (1691).

25. Providing for one’s family.

It was narrated from Abu Mas’uud al-Badri (may Allaah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “When a man spends on his family, hoping for reward, that is (counted as) an act of charity for him.” Narrated by al-Bukhaari (55) and Muslim (1002).

26. Providing for widows and needy.

It was narrated from Abu Hurayrah (may Allaah be pleased with him) that the Prophet of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “One who provides for widows and the poor is like one who fights Jihad for the sake of Allaah (in reward).” He (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) added: “(He is) like one who prays at night without tiring and one who fasts continuously.” Narrated by al-Bukhaari (5353) and Muslim (2982).

27. Nurturing the orphan.

It was narrated that Sahl ibn Sa’d said: The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “I and the one who sponsors an orphan will be like this in Paradise” – and he gestured with his index and middle fingers, holding them slightly apart. (Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 4998).

But we must point out that when these orphans reach adolescence, they must be separated from the wives and daughters of the sponsor. We should not do good with one hand and do evil with the other. We should also note that the one who is sponsored may be an orphaned girl and she may be beautiful and may become attractive before adolescence, so the sponsor must watch his sons lest they fall into doing haraam things with the orphans, because this could happen and be a means of causing mischief which it will be difficult to put right.

We encourage our brothers to sponsor orphans, for this is something that is rarely done except by those whom Allaah has made righteous and caused them to love good and feel compassion for the orphans and the poor.

28. Fulfilling people`s needs.

Ibn Abi’l-Dunya narrated from Ibn ‘Umar that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon them) said: “The most beloved of people to Allaah is the one who brings most benefit to people, and the most beloved of deeds to Allaah is making a Muslim happy, or relieving him of hardship, or paying off his debt, or warding off hunger from him. For me to go with my Muslim brother to meet his need is dearer to me than observing i’tikaaf in this mosque – meaning the mosque of Madeenah – for a month… whoever goes with his Muslim brother to meet his need, Allaah will make him stand firm on the Day when all feet will slip.” Classed as hasan by al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Targheeb wa’l-Tarheeb, 2623.

And it was narrated from Abu Hurayrah (may Allaah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Whoever relieves a Muslim of one of the hardships of this world, Allaah will relieve him of one of the hardships of the Day of Resurrection, and whoever helps one who is financial difficulty, Allaah will help him in this world and in the Hereafter, and whoever conceals a Muslim’s (fault), Allaah will conceal his (fault) in this world and in the Hereafter. Allaah will help a person so long as he helps his brother.” Narrated by Muslim, 2699.?

29. Visiting Muslims.

Al-Tirmidhi (2008) narrated from Abu Hurayrah (may Allaah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Whoever visits a sick person or visits a brother in Islam, a caller cries out to him: ‘May you be happy, may your walking be blessed, and may you occupy a dignified position in Paradise’.” Classed as hasan by al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Tirmidhi.

30. Visiting the sick.

Imam Ahmad narrated that Jaabir (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Whoever visits a sick person is plunging into mercy until he sits down, and when he sits down he is submerged in it.” Classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in al-Silsilah al-Saheehah, 2504.

And Al-Tirmidhi (969) narrated that ‘Ali (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: I heard the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) say: “There is no Muslim who visits a (sick) Muslim early in the morning but seventy thousand angels send blessings upon him until evening comes, and if he visits him in the evening, seventy thousand angels send blessings upon him until morning comes, and he will have a garden in Paradise.” Classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Tirmidhi.

Visiting the sick does not involve only those whom you know, rather it is prescribed for those whom you know and those whom you do not know. This was stated by al-Nawawi in Sharh Muslim.

31. Easing matters for those in hardship.

Allah, may He be exalted, has instructed us to give more time to the debtor who is in difficulty, if he cannot afford to pay off the debt, as He says (interpretation of the meaning): “And if the debtor is in a hard time (has no money), then grant him time till it is easy for him to repay” [al-Baqarah 2:280].

Muslim (3014) narrated from Abu al-Yasar (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Whoever allows more time for a debtor who is in difficulty or waives the debt, Allah will shade him with His shade.”

Imam Ahmad (22537) narrated that Buraydah (may Allah be pleased with him) said: I heard the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) say: “Whoever gives more time to a debtor who is in difficulty will have (a reward) equivalent to giving that amount in charity for each day.” Then I heard him say: “Whoever gives more time to a debtor who is in difficulty will have (a reward) equivalent to giving double that amount in charity for each day.” I said: I heard you, O Messenger of Allah, saying that whoever gives more time to a debtor who is in difficulty will have (a reward) equivalent to giving that amount in charity for each day, then I heard you say whoever gives more time to a debtor who is in difficulty will have (a reward) equivalent to giving double that amount in charity for each day. He said: “For each day he will have (a reward) equal to giving that amount in charity before the time for repayment of the debt comes, then if the time for repayment of the debt comes and he gives him more time, for each day he will have (a reward) equivalent to giving double that amount in charity.

The hadith was classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in as-Saheehah (86) and by the commentators on al-Musnad (ar-Risaalah edition).

32. Being Kind and merciful to the weak.

It was narrated from Abdullaahi ibn Amr (may Allaah be pleased with them both) that the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “The Most Merciful (Allaah) has mercy on those who are merciful. Be merciful to those who are on earth so that the One Who is above the heavens will have mercy on you.” Narrated by al-Tirmidhi (1924); classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Tirmidhi, 1569.?

33. Having good manners.

It was narrated by at-Tirmidhi (2018) – who classed it as hasan – from Jaabir (may Allaah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Among the dearest of you to me and those who will be seated closest to me on the Day of Resurrection are those of you who are best in attitude.” Classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh at-Tirmidhi.

Also, Imam Al-Bukhaari (6035) and Muslim (2321) narrated from ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Amr (may Allaah be pleased with them) from the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) that he said: “The best of you are the best of you in attitude.”

An-Nawawi (may Allah have mercy on him) said: This is encouragement to have a good attitude, and it highlights the virtue of such a person, for this is the character of the Prophets of Allah, may He be exalted, and His close friends (awliya’).

Al-Hasan al-Basri said:

The definition of a good attitude is doing acts of kindness, refraining from causing harm, and having a cheerful countenance.

34. Truthfulness.

Abdullaahi ibn Mas'uud (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: You must be truthful, for truthfulness leads to righteousness and righteousness leads to Paradise. A man will keep speaking the truth and striving to speak the truth until he will be recorded with Allaah as a siddeeq (speaker of the truth). Beware of telling lies, for lying leads to immorality and immorality leads to Hellfire. A man will keep telling lies and striving to tell lies until he is recorded with Allaah as a liar.

(Reported by Muslim, 4721).

This hadeeth indicates that truthfulness leads to righteousness (al-birr), an all-embracing concept that includes all kinds of goodness and different kinds of righteous deeds. Immorality is basically an inclination towards deviation from the truth, and the immoral person (faajir) is one who is inclined to turn away from the path of guidance. Hence immorality and righteousness are diametrically opposed.

35. Honesty in trade.

Hakeem ibn Hizaam (may Allaah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: Two parties to a deal have the option of changing their minds until they part; if they are open and honest, their deal will be blessed, and if they conceal and tell lies, the blessing of their deal will be diminished.

(Reported by al-Bukhaari, 4/275 and Muslim, 1532).

36. Leniency during trade.

Jaabir ibn Abdullaahi (may Allaah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Allaah show mercy to a man who is kindly when he sells, when he buys, and when he makes a claim!” (Reported by al-Bukhaari, 2076).

37. Guiding people to virtue.

And it was narrated from Abu Mas’uud al-Ansari (may Allaah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “He who guides (others) to an act of goodness, will have a reward similar to that of its doer.” (Reported by Muslim, 1893).

38. Calling people to the religion of Allaah.

It was narrated from Abu Hurayrah (may Allaah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “If anyone guides others to follow right guidance, his reward will be equivalent to those of the people who follow him without their rewards being diminished in any respect on that account; and if anyone guides others to follow error the sin of which he is guilty will be equivalent to those of the people who follow him without their sins’ being diminished in any respect on that account.” (Reported by Muslim, 2674).

39. Charity (Sadaqah) with continuous benefit. (i.e. al-Waqf).

It was narrated from Abu Hurayrah (may Allaah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: "When a son of Adam (i.e. any human being) dies his deeds are discontinued, with three exceptions: Sadaqah, whose benefit is continuous; or knowledge from which benefit continues to be reaped, or a righteous child who supplicates for him." (Reported by Muslim, 1631).

40. Kindness to animals.

It was narrated from Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Whilst a man was walking on the road, he became very thirsty. He found a well so he went down into it and drank, then he came out. There he saw a dog that was panting and biting the ground out of thirst. The man said: this dog is feeling the same thirst that I felt. So he went back down into the well and filled his shoe with water, then he held it in his mouth until he climbed back up, and he gave the water to the dog. Allaah appreciated (his action) and forgave him.” They said: O Messenger of Allaah, will we have reward with regard to these animals? He said: “In every living thing there is reward.” Narrated by al-Bukhaari (2363) and Muslim (2244).

41. Relieving Muslims.

It was narrated from Abdullaahi ibn Umar (may Allaah be pleased with them both) that the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “The Muslim is the brother of his fellow Muslim; he does not wrong him or let him down. Whoever meets his brother’s needs, Allaah will meet his needs, and whoever relieves a Muslim of some worldly distress, Allaah will relieve him of some of the distress of the Day of Resurrection. Whoever covers a Muslim (conceals his sin), Allaah will cover him (conceal his sin) on the Day of Resurrection.” Narrated by al-Bukhaari (2310), Muslim (2580).

42. Rearing daughters.

Uqbah ibn Aamir (may Allaah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Whoever has three daughters and is patient towards them, and feeds them, gives them to drink, and clothes them from his wealth; they will be a shield for him from the Fire on the Day of Resurrection.” Narrated by Ahmad (17403) and Ibn Majah (3669). Classed as saheeh.

And it was narrated from Abu Sa'eed al-Khudri (may Allaah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Whoever has three daughters, or three sisters, or two daughters, or two sisters and he keeps good company with them and fears Allah regarding them, then Paradise is for him.” Narrated by al-Tirmidhi (1916), Abu Dawood (5147), Ibn Majah (3669). Classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Targheeb wa Tarheeb.

43. Defending Muslims in their absence.

Abu ad-Darda’ (may Allaah be pleased with him) narrated that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “If a Muslim defends his brother’s honor in his absence, Allah will protect his face from the fire of Hell on the Day of Resurrection.” Related by At-Tirmidhi who graded it to be Hasan, hadith: 1931.

44. Supplicating for Muslims in their absence.

Praying (offering du’aa) for one’s brother in his absence is something that is encouraged by Islamic teachings.

Islam encourages the Muslims to pray for one another in their absence, as in the hadith of Abu ad-Darda’ (may Allaah be pleased with him) who said: The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “There is no Muslim who prays for his brother in his absence, but the angel will say: And you will have something similar.” Narrated by Muslim (2732).

In Conclusion:

There are many other good deeds. The Muslim should seek the help of his Lord (Allaah) to do good deeds, and do his best to do them. He should persist in doing these good deeds even if they are little, for that is better than doing a lot of good deeds then stopping.

It was narrated that Aishah said: The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “O people, you should do whatever good deeds you can, for Allaah does not get tired (of giving reward) until you get tired. And the most beloved of good deeds to Allaah is that in which a person persists, even if it is little. If the family of Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) started to do something, they would persist in it.” Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 43; Muslim, 782.

And Allaah knows best.

Ramadaan Mubarak.

We ask Allah (SWT) to keep us safe and sound, accept our deeds, forgive our shortcoming and reward us jannatul-firdaus in abundant.

Allaahumma Aameen.

Sa’eed Mas’uud Adedayo Adedokun

Institute of Islamic Banking & Finance, International Islamic University Malaysia.

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