Excellent Deeds

Abu Dhar Ghaffari (RA) relates that he asked the Messenger peace and blessings of Allah be to him) which of the acts was excellent and of the right standard. The Blessed Messenger replied, “To believe in God and to exert in His path.” Abū Dhar again asked which kind of slaves it was better to free? The Blessed Messenger said, “Those whose price is high and who are good in their master’s eyes.” Abū Dhar asked if he was unable to do that, and the Blessed Messenger said, “Then help some worker or do the work of the man who himself is unable to do it properly.” Abū Dhar again asked if he was unable to do even that. The Blessed Messenger said, “Do not give trouble to anyone and that will be an act of charity which will be rewarded.”

(Bukhari, Muslim)

Man is the slave of God. It is his moral obligation to follow the Guidance sent down in the form of the Qur’an as well as the teachings of God’s Messenger, Muhammad. Here, the Blessed Messenger teaches some of excellent acts.

Belief in God means to believe in the religion of Islam, His Messengers, His Books, Angels, and the Day of Judgement. Exerting in the path of Allah means to make tireless efforts to establish the Deen on earth and declare that the faith is dearer to a believer than his/her own life. In Arabia, the system of slavery prevailed and Islam had on its programme abolition of slavery and deemed it as the greatest good.

(With thanks to Radianceweekly)