The concept of good deeds in Islam
A good deed is any action or word a person does with pure, honest intention based on correct knowledge and sound understanding.
This article is a statement of the reality of good deeds in Islam, which is represented as one of the requirements of the divine succession of man and the purpose of the divine creation of human beings.
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Good deeds are the purpose of creation
The general purpose of Islamic law, as the scholar Allal al-Fassi says, is to build the earth and preserve the system of coexistence in it and the continuation of its goodness, with the honor of humans in it.
This is evidenced by the saying of the Almighty: " And (remember) when your Lord said to the angels: "Verily, I am going to place (mankind) generations after generations on earth." They said: "Will You place therein those who will make mischief therein and shed blood, - while we glorify You with praises and thanks and sanctify You." He (Allâh) said: "I know that which you do not know.'" [2: 30].
The verse's significance is that the caliphate's function requires that man be a reformer in the universe, not corrupted in it. This reform, as the scholar Allal al-Fassi says: Is what the messengers called for, and they continued to work to educate people on it by recalling the instinct and what man has done as a human being, with a mind, language, and assignment.
Similarly, the German philosopher Erich Fromm says that God Almighty helps man by sending His prophets to teach him the principles that lead him to realize goodness and righteousness and to know evil.
Urging Islam to do good deeds
In Islam, performing good deeds is highly encouraged and considered a means of earning rewards and gaining closeness to Allah (God). Some examples of good deeds in Islam are:
These are just a few examples of the many good deeds encouraged in Islam. Muslims believe they can earn rewards in this life and the hereafter by performing these actions and others.
The intention of God – as it is decided in the texts of Sharia – is the architecture of the earth and the permanence of its goodness, and this can only be done by God's good approach that does not lean on passions and desires.
Therefore, any other approach cannot achieve the purposes of human existence in its various dimensions, and the end of what it can achieve is to meet some aspects of human life, which is incompatible with the human innateness, which includes several forces, energies, and capabilities that need care and attention.
Man in the Islamic conception is not only a body, or only a mind, as some philosophies deal with him, but he is nevertheless - and above all - a soul coming from another world.
Man is not only an earthly being, but he is also a universal creature: that is, the existential essence of man is universal. This being cannot be comprehended by confining it to its center of residence: the earth. Instead, its existence must be linked to the presence of the whole universe!
Therefore, any interaction with man in the absence of this truth will be a minor dealing and may even have severe consequences for the whole of life, which is what happened when Western civilization fed the physical and mental aspects of man in disregard of his spiritual depth, which opened the door - as the British historian Arnold Toynbee (d. 1975 AD) says - to the entry of demons such as Nationalism, fascism, communism, and led to widespread addiction, overconsumption, destruction of environmental elements, and other pests.
- Praying five times a day: Muslims must perform five daily prayers to worship Allah and seek His guidance and blessings.
- Giving charity (Zakat): Muslims are required to give a portion of their wealth to those in need as a means of purifying their wealth and helping the less fortunate.
- Fasting during Ramadan: Muslims are required to fast from dawn until dusk during Ramadan to purify the soul, strengthen self-discipline, and develop empathy for the less fortunate.
- Performing Hajj: Muslims who are physically and financially able is required to achieve the pilgrimage to the holy city of Mecca at least once in their lifetime to seek forgiveness and gain spiritual purification.
- Being kind and respectful to others: Islam teaches that treating others with kindness, respect, and compassion is a means of earning reward from Allah and attaining His pleasure.
- Seeking knowledge: Islam encourages pursuing knowledge to understand Allah's creation, gain wisdom, and develop a deeper understanding of the faith.
- Speaking truthfully and avoiding backbiting and gossip: Islam emphasizes the importance of honesty and discourages chatting ill of others behind their back or spreading rumors.
These are just a few examples of the many good deeds encouraged in Islam. Muslims believe they can earn rewards in this life and the hereafter by performing these actions and others.
Good deeds are among the requirements of human succession
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Therefore, any other approach cannot achieve the purposes of human existence in its various dimensions, and the end of what it can achieve is to meet some aspects of human life, which is incompatible with the human innateness, which includes several forces, energies, and capabilities that need care and attention.
Inclusion of good deeds in Islam
Man in the Islamic conception is not only a body, or only a mind, as some philosophies deal with him, but he is nevertheless - and above all - a soul coming from another world.
Man is not only an earthly being, but he is also a universal creature: that is, the existential essence of man is universal. This being cannot be comprehended by confining it to its center of residence: the earth. Instead, its existence must be linked to the presence of the whole universe!
Therefore, any interaction with man in the absence of this truth will be a minor dealing and may even have severe consequences for the whole of life, which is what happened when Western civilization fed the physical and mental aspects of man in disregard of his spiritual depth, which opened the door - as the British historian Arnold Toynbee (d. 1975 AD) says - to the entry of demons such as Nationalism, fascism, communism, and led to widespread addiction, overconsumption, destruction of environmental elements, and other pests.
The reward for good deeds in Islam
- Succession in the land: Believing in the words of the truth, blessed and exalted: " Allâh has promised those among you who believe and do righteous good deeds, that He will certainly grant them succession to (the present rulers) in the land, as He granted it to those before them, and that He will grant them the authority to practise their religion which He has chosen for them (i.e. Islâm). And He will surely give them in exchange a safe security after their fear (provided) they (believers) worship Me and do not associate anything (in worship) with Me" [24: 55].
- Security from fear and sadness, believing in the words of God Almighty: " Verily! Those who believe and those who are Jews and Christians, and Sabians,[1] whoever believes in Allâh and the Last Day and does righteous good deeds shall have their reward with their Lord, on them shall be no fear, nor shall they grieve" [2: 62].
- The promise of forgiveness and great reward, Glory be to Him, said: " Allâh has promised those who believe (in the Oneness of Allâh - Islâmic Monotheism) and do deeds of righteousness, that for them there is forgiveness and a great reward (i.e., Paradise). [5:9].
- Preaching Paradise and the outstanding merit, for saying the Almighty: " And give glad tidings to those who believe and do righteous good deeds, that for them will be Gardens under which rivers flow (Paradise). Every time they will be provided with a fruit therefrom, they will say: "This is what we were provided with before," and they will be given things in resemblance (i.e. in the same form but different in taste) and they shall have therein Azwâjun Mutahharatun [1] (purified mates or wives) and they will abide therein forever" [2: 25].
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