KINDNESS
IN ISLAM BRINGS JOY TO LIFE
ASSEMBLED
BY MALLAM ABBA ABANA, KUBWA, ABUJA, NIGERIA
http://variousislamicdawadocuments.blogspot.com
https://web.facebook.com/abba.abana
emails:gonidamgamiri@yahoo.com;
abba.abana@gmail.com
SATURDAY
26th JUMADA AKHIR 1441 AH – 21st FEBRUARY 2020 CE
(WhatsApp
+2348186961697)
Bismillah Walhamdulillah Was Salaatu Was Salaam 'ala
Rasulillah. As-Salaam Alaikum Wa-Rahmatullahi Wa-Barakatuhu.
Praise be to Allaah; we seek His help and His forgiveness.
We seek refuge with Allaah from the evil of our own souls and from our bad
deeds. Whomsoever Allaah guides will never be led astray, and whomsoever Allaah
leaves astray, no one can guide. I bear witness that there is no god but
Allaah, and I bear witness that Muhammad
(Sallalhu alaihi Wasalam) is His slave and Messenger.
PREAMBLE
Goodness and Kindness in Islam
a)
In Hajj, the lessons of goodness and
sacrifice are evident in Islamic Shariah)
b)
Allah Has Accorded to Himself
Goodness
c)
All Goodness Lies in Traversing the
Way of the Salaf ask Counsels
d)
Why Islam? The Beauty and Benefits
of Islam
e)
Prophet Muhammad's
(Sallalhu alaihi Wasalam) kindness
f)
The Mother's Kindness and Society
and Reform
g)
Treat Mother and Family with
Kindness and Respect to Society and Reform)
h)
Muslim Kindness Wins Over Racism with
Muslims Around the World)
GOODNESS OR
KINDNESS IS A NATURAL RESULT OF FAITH AND OUTSTANDING VIRTUES OF HUMANITY.
The Arabic word in common use for goodness is (‘Ihsan),
which may stand for several meanings such as: excellence in work, charity
affairs, bestowing favour, mercifulness, doing things well... Another equal
word is (birr).
When a man performs his duty towards Allah and people as
well, he is regarded in Islam to have done and achieved favour to himself. Allah
says:
“Who so does good it is for himself and who does evil it is
against it and your Lord is not an unjust to His servants.” (Surah Fussilat:
46)
Some Muslims argue that (‘Ihsan) meaning goodness has two
phases namely:
1- Bestowing favour on others, and 2- Excellence in work –
The Qur’an quotes tell us:
1- “Lo! Allah enjoins justice and kindness....” (Surah
An-Nahl: 90)
2- “Lo! Allah favours those who go righteously and those who
are kind.” (Surah An-Nahl: 128)
3- “... And do fair deeds, for sure Allah loves the
fair-doers.” (Surah Al-Baqarah: 195)
In Islam, however, goodness, in the broadest meaning, is one
of the highest levels of worship. It is the essence spirit and accomplishment
of faith.
4- “Is the reward of fairness aught save fairness?” (Surah
Ar-Rahman: 60)
The Prophet Muhammad (Allah’s
prayers and peace be upon him) said concerning goodness: “That you worship
Allah as if you see Him, and if you do not see Him, He sees you”. This points
out to the absolute presence with Allah, and the necessity of bearing Him in
mind, to fear, and still to love, Him, and thus to submit and become sincere to
Him.
However, Allah knows everything and He says, for example:
1- “We verily created man and We know that his self-whispers
to him and We are nearer to him than his jugular vein.” (Surah Qaf: 16)
2- “Have you not seen that Allah knows what is in heavens
and what is in the earth; there is no secret conference of the three but He is
their fourth, nor of five but He is their sixth, nor of less than that or more
but He is with them wheresoever they may be, and later, on the day of
Resurrection, He will inform them of what they did. Lo! Allah is Knower of all
things.” (Surah Al-Mujadalah: 7)
On top of all this, goodness also means spending money in
aspects of vital importance to the community such that the giver, the taker and
the whole nation achieve happiness. Allah says:
“It is not righteousness that you turn your faces to the
east and the west but righteous is he who believes in Allah and the Last Day
and the Angels and the Book and the Prophets and gives wealth, for love Him, to
kinsflok and to the orphans and the needy and the wayfarer and to those who ask
and to set slaves free, and observes (proper) prayer and pays the poor-due and
those who keep their covenant when they make one, and the patient in
tribulation and adversity and time of distress; such are they who are sincere;
such are the pious.” (Surah Al-Baqarah: 177)
Goodness may also mean originality, depth the accuracy in
our deeds. This particular meaning is made clear in the Prophet’s Tradition,
such as: (For sure Allah wishes from anyone of you doing something to
accomplish it excellently).
Goodness may also mean giving gallantly, warding off evil
and paying an ill-deed with a good one. Thus, one reads in the Qur’an what
means:
1- “And the good deed and the evil deed are not alike; repel
the evil deed with one which is better, then Lo! he between whom you there was
enmity (will become) as though he was a close friend. But none is granted it
save those who are steadfast and none is granted it save the owner of a great
fortune.” (Surah Fussilat: 34 - 35)
2- “It was by the mercy of Allah that you were lenient with
them (O Muhammad(Sallalhu alaihi Wasalam)), for
if you had been stern and fierce of heart, they would have dispersed from round
about you.” (Surah Al-‘Imran: 159)
3- Allah describes the Prophet Muhammad
(Allah’s prayers and peace be upon him) in a verse which says that means:
“You are of a magnificent character.” (Surah Al-Qalam: 4)
Sources: http://en.alukah.net/Shariah/0/6804/
KINDNESS TO
THE WIFE BRINGS JOY TO LIFE
In Islam a husband is required to treat his wife with
affection, respect her feelings, and show her kindness and consideration. The
husband should not show the wife any aversion or subject her to suspense or
uncertainty. These guiding principles are established from the Quran and Sunnah
and when implemented, bring about a great deal of peace and harmony in
marriage.
WIFE AS A
SOURCE OF PEACE
Allah says in the Noble Quran “And among His signs is that
He created for you wives from among yourselves, that you may find contentment
in them, and He has instilled between you affection and mercy. Verily, in that
are indeed signs for people who reflect”. (Quran 30:21)
For a wife to become a source of peace and contentment she
has to be in a peaceful relationship. Therefore the treatment of the husband to
the wife is of great significance in realizing this purpose.
A husband’s treatment towards his wife should reflect a
Muslim’s good character, which in turn is a reflection of the man’s faith. In
this regard the Prophet (Sallallaahu Alaihi Wasalaam) said “The best among you
are those who are best to their family and I am the best to my family.”
(Tirmizi, ibn Majah)
Kind treatment generates true and deep seated love for the
husband in the wife’s heart. The wife in turn becomes eager and enthusiastic to
serve her husband and accords him the honour and respect he deserves.
THE WIFE – A
TREASURE WITHOUT EQUAL
For a Muslim, a good wife is the best treasure a man can
possess, after belief in Allah and following His commands, she is considered
the key to happiness. According to a Hadith, the Prophet (Sallallaahu Alaihi
Wasalaam) said to `Umar (Radhiyallahu Anhu), “Shall I tell you the best a man
can treasure? It is a good wife. If he looks at her, she gives him pleasure; if
he orders her, she obeys; and if he is away from her, she remains faithful to
him". (Abu Dawood)
The Prophet (Sallallaahu Alaihi Wasalaam) also said,
“Whoever is granted a good wife, he is helped to practice half his faith, let
him obey Allah in the second half”. (Mishkaat)
The potential to become a source of true pleasure is vested
in every wife. It is the responsibility of the husband to unlock this potential
and utilize it for the benefit of his own life and that of his family.
Like any treasure or wealth that one possesses it must be
looked after, kept safely and constantly nurtured for it to maintain its value.
This principle shall to a greater extent apply to the wife who is regarded as
the treasure of all treasures. Any form of misuse, abuse and maltreatment of
this treasure will lead to diminishing the good that this treasure delivers and
shall become a source of sin and accountability to Allah Ta’ala.
KINDNESS AND
MORE KINDNESS…
Allah Ta'ala says “…And live with them (your wives) in kindness…”
(Quran 4:19)
A Muslim wife occupies a special position in society, and
Islam considers her fulfillment of matrimonial duties as a form of jihad
(striving for the sake of Allah). Without physically engaging in the
battlefield, a wife is given the opportunity to earn the reward of striving for
the cause of Allah Ta'ala.
By living with her in kindness, fulfilling her needs and
giving her support, the husband becomes instrumental in her achieving this
noble reward. The husband by virtue of his kindness earns the happiness of his
family and in turn draws closer to Allah Ta’ala. By adopting the correct
approach surely the husband can earn the status of being the best among people
for his kindness towards his wife.
The Prophet (Sallallaahu Alaihi Wasalaam) said, “Verily
Allah is Most Kind, and He loves kindness in all affairs”. (Bukhari &
Muslim)
The Prophet (Sallallaahu Alaihi Wasalaam) also said,
“Kindness is not found in anything, but it adds beauty to it and if it is
withdrawn (from it) it defects it”. (Muslim)
GARMENTS UNTO
EACH OTHER
Allah says: “They are garments for you and you are garments
unto them” (Quran 2:187)
The husband and wife are likened to garments unto each
other. They guard each other’s respect, honour and dignity. They do not divulge
their shortcomings and imperfections to others. The husband should be cautious
and particular in this regard and not do or say things that would hurt the
wife’s feelings. There is much reward in the concealment of a person’s
shortcomings, more so with regards to the wife.
OVERALL GOOD
TREATMENT
Our Creator knows well that human beings have certain
weaknesses and deficiencies and are prone to err. Therefore Allah Ta'ala
implores the husband by saying, “…communicate with them (wives) in kindness,
for if you dislike them (for some deficiency) then perhaps you may dislike (a
trait) wherein Allah has placed in it much good.” (Quran 4:19)
It is the collective right of the wife to be treated well in
all aspects of daily life. The husband should interact with her in a
well-mannered way with a flexible attitude, sweet words and a smiling face.
The Seerah (life) of the Prophet (Sallallaahu Alaihi
Wasalaam) is filled with his noble character of gentleness towards his people,
his excellent conduct towards his wives, to the extent that he used to help
them with their household chores and engaged in lighthearted activities.
The true strength of man is not measured by his physical
firmness; rather he is gauged by his strength to show character in adverse
situations.
May Allah Ta’ala grant every husband the ability to treat
his wife with kindness and compassion.
Sources: http://www.muslim.co.za/newsupdates/2011/09/kindness-to-wife-brings-joy-life
THE KINDNESS
OF PROPHET MUHAMMAD (Sallalhu
alaihi Wasalam)
The Prophet Muhammad (Sallalhu
alaihi Wasalam) taught love, kindness and compassion to his people, and was
seen to be the most loving, kind, and compassionate of all of them. The Quran
mentions his kind and gentle behavior in these words: "O Messenger of
Allah! It is a great Mercy of God that you are gentle and kind towards them;
for, had you been harsh and hard-hearted, they would all have broken away from
you" (Quran 3:159).
There are many instances that show his kindness and
gentleness, especially to the weak and the poor. Anas, who was his helper,
said: "I served Allah's Messenger for ten years and he never said to me,
'Shame' or 'Why did you do such-and-such a thing?' or 'Why did you not do
such-and-such a thing?'" (Bukhari, 2038).
Once he said to his wife: "0 'A'ishah! Never turn away
any needy man from your door empty-handed. 0 'A'ishah! Love the poor; bring
them near to you and God will bring you near to Him on the Day of
Resurrection". He also went much further on to say: "Seek me among
your weak ones, for you are given provision, or you are given help only by
reason of the presence of your weak ones". (Rahman, Encyclopedia of
Seerah, VOL. VIII, p. 151) God Almighty is Kind, and the Prophet imitated
Allah's example in its perfection by showing kindness to his servants and all
creatures without any regard for their beliefs, color or nationality. The
Prophet said: "God is kind and likes kindness in all things"
(Bukhari, 6601).
His heart ached within him at the corrupt state of his
fellow-Meccans and their rejection of One God. The Holy Quran testifies to it
in these words: "0 Muhammad (Sallalhu
alaihi Wasalam), you will, perhaps, consume yourself with grief because the
people do not believe" (Quran 26:3). In Surah Kahf, we read: "Well, 0
Muhammad (Sallalhu alaihi Wasalam), it may be
that you will kill yourself for their sake out of sorrow if they do not believe
in this Message." (Quran 18:6). And Surah Fatir says: "So let not
your life be consumed in grief for their sake." (Quran 35:8).
He took a great interest in the welfare of all people and
had great compassion for people in trouble. The Prophet Muhammad (Sallalhu alaihi Wasalam) imitated the attributes of God
par excellence and translated them into practice in the highest form possible
for man. Kindness is an attribute of Allah, which has no limits. It is
extensive and encompasses all things and all beings without discrimination.
Likewise was the kindness of the Prophet. He extended it to all beings, both
animate and inanimate and benefited all without measure. The Quranic words for
the Prophet's kindness, ra'ufun rahirn (Quran 9:128) are very intensive and
comprehensive in meaning and convey the true nature and extent of the Prophet's
kindness to people. The Prophet said: "One of the finest acts of kindness
is for a man to treat his fathers' friends in a kindly way after he has
departed" (Abu dawud, 5123)
The issue of treating friends well was also extended to
include relations: "He who wishes to have his provision enlarged and his
term of life prolonged should treat his relatives well" (Bukhari, 5985).
He emphasized on this matter because he deeply held the view that "Only
kindness prolongs life, and a person is deprived of provisions for the faults
he commits" (Ibn Majah). Bahz b. Hakim, on his father's authority, said
that his grandfather told him that he had asked Allah's Messenger to whom he should
show kindness and that the Prophet had replied: "Your mother." He
asked who came next and he replied: "Your mother." He asked who came
next and he replied for the third time: "Your mother." He again asked
who came next and he replied: "Your father, then your relatives in order
of relationship" (Abu dawud, 5120). He dwelled on the issue of treating
orphans humanely as he stated that "The best house among the Muslims is
one which contains an orphan who is well treated, and the worst house among the
Muslims is one which contains an orphan who is badly treated" (Ibn Majah,
3679). This means that the Prophet cautioned his followers against general
maltreatment of anyone regardless of his status. By extending good treatment
from friends to relatives and now to neighbors, Prophet Muhammad (Sallalhu alaihi Wasalam) was intent in making all humans
interdependent as he emphasized in the following words: "All creatures are
Allah's dependants, and those dearest to God are the ones who treat His
dependants kindly" (Rahman, VOL VIII, p. 154). He emphasized the kind
treatment of women again and again in his speeches:
Treat women kindly, since they are your helpers; . . . you
have your rights upon your wives and they have their rights upon you. Your
right is that they shall not allow anyone you dislike to enter your bed or your
home, and their right is that you should treat them well. (from the Farewell
Sermon of the Prophet)
Once a number of women complained to the Prophet's wives
about their ill-treatment by their husbands. On hearing of this, the Prophet
said: "Such persons among you are not good persons." (Abu Dawud,
1834). This condemnation by the Prophet himself was an indication that no one
will be accepted before God who, while on earth, decided to be unkind to women.
Another person said to the Prophet: "0 Messenger of Allah! My relatives
are such that although I cooperate with them, they cut me off; I am kind to
them but they ill treat me." The Prophet said this in reply: "So long
as you continue as you are, God will always help you and He will protect you
against their mischief" (Muslim, 4640). This was not only a way of
bringing comfort to the mind of the worried person but one of the communicative
techniques of the Prophet to assure who ever found himself in that situation to
look up to God to be consoled and protected. So it was pointless to preach
vengeance to this kind of people suffering from this similar fate. Indeed,
Prophet Muhammad (Sallalhu alaihi Wasalam) was
nothing short of a competent counselor.
He was always counseling people to be goodhearted regardless
of their sex, age or gender. Once Asma bint Abu Bakr's mother, who was still an
unbeliever, came to see her in Madinah. She told this to the Prophet and said:
"My mother has come to see me and she is expecting something from me. May
I oblige her?" The Prophet said: "Yes, be kind to your mother"
(Muslim, 2195). This attitude of the Prophet was equally extended to Zainab
as-Saqafia, the wife of Abdullah ibn Mas'ud and an Ansari woman. She went to
see the Prophet and to inquire whether it would be a charity if they spent
something on their husbands and on the orphans under their care. The Prophet
said: "They will get a two-fold reward, one for kindness towards their
relatives and the other for charity" (Bukhari, 1466).
There are many Ahadith concerning his kindness to animals,
birds and insects: "God prescribed kindness towards everything; so when
you slaughter any animal, slaughter it well; when you sacrifice, make your
sacrifice good. And let everyone sharpen his weapon and make it easy for his sacrificed
animal" (Muslim, 5055). He made this kind of statement to demonstrate his
love for both humans and animals. In essence, Prophet Muhammad
(Sallalhu alaihi Wasalam) was equally showing his followers that he too is
feels pain.
https://www.islamicity.org/6428/the-kindness-of-prophet-muhammad-s/
Source: Prophet Muhammad (Sallalhu
alaihi Wasalam) Leadership
MANY ACTS OF
KINDNESS IN 5 MINUTES OR LESS
Prophet Muhammad, peace and
blessings be upon him, said, “Every act of kindness is a Sadaqa (charity)”
(Bukhari, Muslim).
Very often though, we feel we don’t have the time for kind
gestures, despite our best intentions. These 35 ideas are just some quick
things we can do to practice this essential part of our faith.
1. If someone owes you money, call or email them to extend
the time they have to pay you back, or forgive the debt altogether. “If anyone
would like Allah to save him from the hardships of the Day of Resurrection , he
should give more time to his debtor who is short of money, or remit his debt
altogether” (Muslim).
2. Teach a child one short verse of the Quran. “The best of
you are those who learn the Quran and teach it to others” (Bukhari).
3. Plant something edible. “If any Muslim plants
something or sows seed from which a man, a bird, or an animal eats, it counts
as a charity for him” (Bukhari, Muslim).
4. Say something that will help make peace between two
people. This is considered an act of charity (part of a Hadith in Bukhari and
Muslim).
5. Pour water into someone’s glass or get someone a glass of
water. This is also considered an act of charity.
6. Offer a glass of lemonade on a hot day or hot chocolate
on a cold one to the delivery person or mailman/mailwoman.
7. Help a person load their grocery bags or stuff into their
car, or help them mount the bus or train (Bukhari, Muslim).
8. Say something nice to someone else as, “…a good word is
charity” (Bukhari, Muslim).
9. If you find debris on the road or highway, remove it or
call the local number to inform the state’s highway patrol about it so others
won’t be harmed. Removing harmful things from the road is also a form of Sadaqa
(Bukhari, Muslim).
10. Text a parent, spouse, child, or friend to tell them you
love them.
11. Order a gift online. “Exchange presents with one
another, for they remove ill feelings from the hearts” (Tirmidhi).
12. Call or email someone’s boss or supervisor about good
customer service you received from a waiter, nurse, mechanic, teacher, etc.
13. Write a glowing online review of a business you’ve had a
good experience with.
14. Stop backbiting in its tracks by changing the subject
during a conversation.
15. Call to set up a cleaning appointment for a sick or
elderly relative or friend.
16. Take out the trash for your elderly or sick neighbor.
17. Let someone go in front of you at the checkout line when
getting groceries.
18. Give a good tip.
19. Hold the door for someone.
20. Give up your seat for someone, especially an elderly
person. “He is not of us who does not have mercy on young children, nor honors
the elderly" (Tirmidhi).
21. In terms of the latter part of the above-mentioned
Hadith, stop yourself from scolding a kid who’s done something naughty but
harmless.
22. Write and mail off a handwritten thank you card.
23. Smile and say “have a nice day” to a homeless person.
24. Let another driver take that parking spot.
25. Defuse tension by cracking a clean joke.
26. Smile. It’s Sunnah and good for your health.
27. Make a positive Dua for someone you can’t stand.
28. Say Salam to someone you’ve seen around but don’t really
know. “You should provide food, and greet both those you know, and those you do
not” (Bukhari, Muslim).
29. When you get home, say Salam to your family. “When you
enter your home, greet your family with the salutation of ‘Assalamu alaikum’.
This will be a source of blessings for you and your family” (Tirmidhi).
30. Forgive someone.
31. Make an online donation to a cause or charity dear to a
family member or friend.
32. Bite your tongue and stop yourself from saying something
unkind.
33. Give someone wise and gentle advice. Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, said,
“Religion is advice.”
34. Complete a short task one of your parents asked you to
do, whether it’s taking out the trash, emailing a relative, or doing some
research about a product or medicine they need.
35. Hold a crying baby so its parent can get five minutes to
relieve their stress a bit.
Sources: https://www.soundvision.com/article/35-acts-of-kindness-in-5-minutes-or-less
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