The Best of Deeds

قال رسول الله (ﷺ)    “من يرد الله به خيرًا يفقه في الدين”

The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: “When Allah wishes good for a person, He bestows upon him a correct understanding of the religion”

يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلنَّاسُ إِنَّا خَلَقْنَـٰكُم مِّن ذَكَرٍۢ وَأُنثَىٰ وَجَعَلْنَـٰكُمْ شُعُوبًۭا وَقَبَآئِلَ لِتَعَارَفُوٓا۟ ۚ إِنَّ أَكْرَمَكُمْ عِندَ ٱللَّهِ أَتْقَىٰكُمْ ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ عَلِيمٌ خَبِيرٌۭ ١٣

“Indeed, The most noble of you in the sight of Allah are the most mindful. Indeed, Allah is Knowing and Aware.” — Qur’an 49:13

يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ ٱرْكَعُوا۟ وَٱسْجُدُوا۟ وَٱعْبُدُوا۟ رَبَّكُمْ وَٱفْعَلُوا۟ ٱلْخَيْرَ لَعَلَّكُمْ تُفْلِحُونَ ۩ ٧٧

“Do good so that you may be successful” — Qur’an 22:77

Allah enjoins us as Muslims to be good and to do good, but what is considered a good deed? What do Allah and His Messenger Muhammad (ﷺ) tell us are the best of deeds in Islam?

Through reading and understanding the Qu’ran and ahadith we can shed light on what it is that Allah asks of us. Hopefully this informs us of how we can best live our lives as Muslims. How we can best worship Allah and what are the best deeds that are most pleasing to Allah.

Taqwa and Intention – Being mindful of Allah

وَمَا خَلَقْتُ ٱلْجِنَّ وَٱلْإِنسَ إِلَّا لِيَعْبُدُونِ

I did not create the jinn and mankind except to worship Me — Qur’an 51:56

Our only purpose in life is to worship Allah. To worship Allah is to do acts of worship that are pleasing to him. Anything halal (permissible according to the shariah) can be an act of worship with the correct intention.

“رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ، يَقُولُ : ” إِنَّمَا الْأَعْمَالُ بِالنِّيَّاتِ، وَإِنَّمَا لِكُلِّ امْرِئٍ مَا نَوَى

“The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, “Indeed actions are considered by intentions, and a person will get the reward according to his intention.” [Sahih]

This reaches beyond just overtly religious actions such as praying and fasting, but by setting our intention, anything permissible can be considered an act of worship. Anything from work, to meeting up with friends, going to a museum, eating out, sports and leisure, hiking, travel, reading and studying. Anything can be an act of worship if it’s halal and we’re seeking to draw closer to Allah and earn his pleasure.

Likewise an act of worship can become devoid of benefit if done for an incorrect intention.

مَن كَانَ يُرِيدُ حَرْثَ ٱلْـَٔاخِرَةِ نَزِدْ لَهُۥ فِى حَرْثِهِۦ ۖ وَمَن كَانَ يُرِيدُ حَرْثَ ٱلدُّنْيَا نُؤْتِهِۦ مِنْهَا وَمَا لَهُۥ فِى ٱلْـَٔاخِرَةِ مِن نَّصِيبٍ ٢٠

“Whoever desires the harvest of the Hereafter, We will increase their harvest. And whoever desires ˹only˺ the harvest of this world, We will give them some of it, but they will have no share in the Hereafter.” — Qur’an 42:20

We should aim to do things solely to please Allah. We can set our intention by saying bismillah before an act.

قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم:  “ما من عبد يقول في صباح كل يوم ومساء كل ليلة: بسم الله الذي لا يضر مع اسمه شيء في الأرض ولا في السماء وهو السميع العليم، ثلاث مرات، إلا لم يضره شيء”.

The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, “He who recites three times every morning and evening: ‘(In the Name of Allah with Whose Name there is protection against every kind of harm in the earth or in the heaven, and He is the All-Hearing and All- Knowing),’ nothing will harm him.”

Bismillahil-ladhi la yadurru ma’as-mihi shai’un fil-ardi wa la fis-sama’i, wa Huwas-Sami’ul-‘Alim

“In the Name of Allah with Whose Name there is protection against every kind of harm in the earth or in heaven, and He is All-Hearing and All-Knowing” [Tirmidhi]

Rectifying our intention is as simple as clarifying: I’m doing this because it is something that will please Allah, it’s a good deed and I’m seeking Allah’s pleasure.

Perhaps it is something beneficial in a worldly way — that in turn is pleasing to Allah e.g: this will help me to earn a livelihood to support my family, as Allah asks me todo.

Following the Sacred Law

عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ  ” دَعُونِي مَا تَرَكْتُكُمْ، إِنَّمَا هَلَكَ مَنْ كَانَ قَبْلَكُمْ بِسُؤَالِهِمْ وَاخْتِلاَفِهِمْ عَلَى أَنْبِيَائِهِمْ، فَإِذَا نَهَيْتُكُمْ عَنْ شَىْءٍ فَاجْتَنِبُوهُ، وَإِذَا أَمَرْتُكُمْ بِأَمْرٍ فَأْتُوا مِنْهُ مَا اسْتَطَعْتُمْ “

“When I forbid you to do something, avoid it. When I command you to do something, then do it as much as you are able.” [Sahih Bukhari]

Muslims follow the command of Allah and the Sunnah of the Prophet (ﷺ). To be Muslim is not only to accept the tenets of faith intellectually but also to believe them in one’s heart and to live them every day in one’s actions.

قُلْ إِن كُنتُمْ تُحِبُّونَ ٱللَّهَ فَٱتَّبِعُونِى يُحْبِبْكُمُ ٱللَّهُ وَيَغْفِرْ لَكُمْ ذُنُوبَكُمْ ۗ وَٱللَّهُ غَفُورٌۭ رَّحِيمٌۭ ٣١

“Say, ˹O Prophet,˺ “If you ˹sincerely˺ love Allah, then follow me; Allah will love you and forgive your sins. For Allah is All-Forgiving, Most Merciful.”—Quran 3:31

قُلْ أَطِيعُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ وَأَطِيعُوا۟ ٱلرَّسُولَ ۖ فَإِن تَوَلَّوْا۟ فَإِنَّمَا عَلَيْهِ مَا حُمِّلَ وَعَلَيْكُم مَّا حُمِّلْتُمْ ۖ وَإِن تُطِيعُوهُ تَهْتَدُوا۟ ۚ وَمَا عَلَى ٱلرَّسُولِ إِلَّا ٱلْبَلَـٰغُ ٱلْمُبِينُ ٥٤

Say, “Obey Allah and obey the Messenger. But if you turn away, then he is only responsible for his duty and you are responsible for yours. And if you obey him, you will be ˹rightly˺ guided. The Messenger’s duty is only to deliver ˹the message˺ clearly.” — Quran 24:54

To do the handful of things we’re commanded to do, and to avoid anything that is haram — is that enough to enter heaven? Is that how we find nearness and tranquility with Allah? During the time of the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) a man came to Muhammad (ﷺ) and asked him a similar question:

أَنَّ رَجُلاً، سَأَلَ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَقَالَ أَرَأَيْتَ إِذَا صَلَّيْتُ الصَّلَوَاتِ الْمَكْتُوبَاتِ وَصُمْتُ رَمَضَانَ وَأَحْلَلْتُ الْحَلاَلَ وَحَرَّمْتُ الْحَرَامَ وَلَمْ أَزِدْ عَلَى ذَلِكَ شَيْئًا أَأَدْخُلُ الْجَنَّةَ قَالَ  نَعَمْ

A man came to the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) and said: “Do you think that if I perform the obligatory prayers, fast in Ramadan, treat as permissible that which is halal, and treat as forbidden that which is haram, and do not increase upon that [in voluntary good deeds], then I shall enter Paradise?” He (ﷺ) replied, “Yes.”

[Sahih Muslim]

Establishing the five daily prayers, fasting and sticking firmly to the path is simple but the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) informed this man that it would be enough for him to enter paradise! These simple acts are a way of a person demonstrating that they respect and honour the commands of Allah. Their actions testify that they have dedicated their life to Allah — only doing what pleases Him and avoiding what he has decreed is sinful and displeasing to Him.

If one establishes the prayers five times a day, it’s a constant reminder to them of their purpose in life, their constant striving to worship Allah throughout their day.

In a Hadith Qudsi Allah tells us:

“مَا تَقَرَّبَ إِلَىَّ عَبْدِي بِشَىْءٍ أَحَبَّ إِلَىَّ مِمَّا افْتَرَضْتُ عَلَيْهِ”

“My servant does not draw near to Me with anything more beloved to Me than the (fard) religious duties I have obligated upon him.” [Sahih]

We see the importance of regular prayer, fasting, charity, hajj and kindness to others. In the full hadith:

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏ “‏ إِنَّ اللَّهَ قَالَ مَنْ عَادَى لِي وَلِيًّا فَقَدْ آذَنْتُهُ بِالْحَرْبِ، وَمَا تَقَرَّبَ إِلَىَّ عَبْدِي بِشَىْءٍ أَحَبَّ إِلَىَّ مِمَّا افْتَرَضْتُ عَلَيْهِ، وَمَا يَزَالُ عَبْدِي يَتَقَرَّبُ إِلَىَّ بِالنَّوَافِلِ حَتَّى أُحِبَّهُ، فَإِذَا أَحْبَبْتُهُ كُنْتُ سَمْعَهُ الَّذِي يَسْمَعُ بِهِ، وَبَصَرَهُ الَّذِي يُبْصِرُ بِهِ، وَيَدَهُ الَّتِي يَبْطُشُ بِهَا وَرِجْلَهُ الَّتِي يَمْشِي بِهَا، وَإِنْ سَأَلَنِي لأُعْطِيَنَّهُ، وَلَئِنِ اسْتَعَاذَنِي لأُعِيذَنَّهُ، وَمَا تَرَدَّدْتُ عَنْ شَىْءٍ أَنَا فَاعِلُهُ تَرَدُّدِي عَنْ نَفْسِ الْمُؤْمِنِ، يَكْرَهُ الْمَوْتَ وَأَنَا أَكْرَهُ مَسَاءَتَهُ ‏”

Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) said, “Allah said, ‘I will declare war against him who shows hostility to a pious worshipper of Mine. My servant does not draw near to Me with anything more beloved to Me than the (fard) religious duties I have obligated upon him; and My slave keeps on coming closer to Me through performing Nawafil (praying or doing extra deeds besides what is obligatory) till I love him, so I become his sense of hearing with which he hears, and his sense of sight with which he sees, and his hand with which he grips, and his leg with which he walks; and if he asks Me, I will give him, and if he asks My protection (Refuge), I will protect him; and I do not hesitate to do anything as I hesitate to take the soul of the believer, for he hates death, and I hate to disappoint him.”

[Sahih]

Through regular acts of worship one builds up their connection with their creator — turning back to Him in gratitude while seeking forgiveness, support and guidance.

سُئِلَ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم أَىُّ الأَعْمَالِ أَحَبُّ إِلَى اللَّهِ قَالَ ” أَدْوَمُهَا وَإِنْ قَلَّ “. وَقَالَ ” اكْلَفُوا مِنَ الأَعْمَالِ مَا تُطِيقُونَ “

The Prophet (ﷺ) was asked, “What deeds are loved most by Allah?” He said, “The most regular constant deeds even though they may be few.” He added, ‘Don’t take upon yourselves, except the deeds which are within your ability.” [Sahih]

وَعِبَادُ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنِ ٱلَّذِينَ يَمْشُونَ عَلَى ٱلْأَرْضِ هَوْنًۭا وَإِذَا خَاطَبَهُمُ ٱلْجَـٰهِلُونَ قَالُوا۟ سَلَـٰمًۭا ٦٣

وَٱلَّذِينَ يَبِيتُونَ لِرَبِّهِمْ سُجَّدًۭا وَقِيَـٰمًۭا ٦٤

وَٱلَّذِينَ يَقُولُونَ رَبَّنَا ٱصْرِفْ عَنَّا عَذَابَ جَهَنَّمَ ۖ إِنَّ عَذَابَهَا كَانَ غَرَامًا ٦٥

إِنَّهَا سَآءَتْ مُسْتَقَرًّۭا وَمُقَامًۭا ٦٦

وَٱلَّذِينَ إِذَآ أَنفَقُوا۟ لَمْ يُسْرِفُوا۟ وَلَمْ يَقْتُرُوا۟ وَكَانَ بَيْنَ ذَٰلِكَ قَوَامًۭا ٦٧

وَٱلَّذِينَ لَا يَدْعُونَ مَعَ ٱللَّهِ إِلَـٰهًا ءَاخَرَ وَلَا يَقْتُلُونَ ٱلنَّفْسَ ٱلَّتِى حَرَّمَ ٱللَّهُ إِلَّا بِٱلْحَقِّ وَلَا يَزْنُونَ ۚ وَمَن يَفْعَلْ ذَٰلِكَ يَلْقَ أَثَامًۭا ٦٨

يُضَـٰعَفْ لَهُ ٱلْعَذَابُ يَوْمَ ٱلْقِيَـٰمَةِ وَيَخْلُدْ فِيهِۦ مُهَانًا ٦٩

إِلَّا مَن تَابَ وَءَامَنَ وَعَمِلَ عَمَلًۭا صَـٰلِحًۭا فَأُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ يُبَدِّلُ ٱللَّهُ سَيِّـَٔاتِهِمْ حَسَنَـٰتٍۢ ۗ وَكَانَ ٱللَّهُ غَفُورًۭا رَّحِيمًۭا ٧٠

وَمَن تَابَ وَعَمِلَ صَـٰلِحًۭا فَإِنَّهُۥ يَتُوبُ إِلَى ٱللَّهِ مَتَابًۭا ٧١

وَٱلَّذِينَ لَا يَشْهَدُونَ ٱلزُّورَ وَإِذَا مَرُّوا۟ بِٱللَّغْوِ مَرُّوا۟ كِرَامًۭا ٧٢

وَٱلَّذِينَ إِذَا ذُكِّرُوا۟ بِـَٔايَـٰتِ رَبِّهِمْ لَمْ يَخِرُّوا۟ عَلَيْهَا صُمًّۭا وَعُمْيَانًۭا ٧٣

وَٱلَّذِينَ يَقُولُونَ رَبَّنَا هَبْ لَنَا مِنْ أَزْوَٰجِنَا وَذُرِّيَّـٰتِنَا قُرَّةَ أَعْيُنٍۢ وَٱجْعَلْنَا لِلْمُتَّقِينَ إِمَامًا ٧٤

أُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ يُجْزَوْنَ ٱلْغُرْفَةَ بِمَا صَبَرُوا۟ وَيُلَقَّوْنَ فِيهَا تَحِيَّةًۭ وَسَلَـٰمًا ٧٥

خَـٰلِدِينَ فِيهَا ۚ حَسُنَتْ مُسْتَقَرًّۭا وَمُقَامًۭا ٧٦

The ˹true˺ servants of the Most Compassionate are those who walk on the earth humbly, and when the foolish address them ˹improperly˺, they only respond with peace.

˹They are˺ those who spend ˹a good portion of˺ the night, prostrating themselves and standing before their Lord.

˹They are˺ those who pray, “Our Lord! Keep the punishment of Hell away from us, for its punishment is indeed unrelenting. It is certainly an evil place to settle and reside.”

˹They are˺ those who spend neither wastefully nor stingily, but moderately in between.

˹They are˺ those who do not invoke any other god besides Allah, nor take a ˹human˺ life—made sacred by Allah—except with ˹legal˺ right, nor commit fornication. And whoever does ˹any of˺ this will face the penalty.

Their punishment will be multiplied on the Day of Judgment, and they will remain in it forever, in disgrace.

As for those who repent, believe, and do good deeds, they are the ones whose evil deeds Allah will change into good deeds. For Allah is All-Forgiving, Most Merciful.

Whoever repents and does good has truly turned to Allah properly.

˹They are˺ those who do not bear false witness, and when they come across falsehood, they pass ˹it˺ by with dignity.

˹They are˺ those who, when reminded of the revelation of their Lord, do not turn a blind eye or a deaf ear to it.

˹They are˺ those who pray, “Our Lord! Bless us with ˹pious˺ spouses and offspring who will be the joy of our hearts, and make us models for the righteous.”

It is they who will be rewarded with ˹elevated˺ mansions ˹in Paradise˺ for their perseverance, and will be received with salutations and ˹greetings of˺ peace, staying there forever. What an excellent place to settle and reside!

— Qur’an 25:63 to 25:76