Merits of Good Deeds
39 hadiths
Do not turn your houses like graves, and do not take my grave a place for celebration, and invoke (Allah's) blessings upon me, for your invoking of Allah's blessings upon me will reach me wherever you may be
Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Do not turn your houses like graves, and do not take my grave a place for celebration, and invoke (Allah's) blessings upon me, for your invoking of Allah's blessings upon me will reach me wherever you may be."
The five (daily) prayers, Friday prayer to the next Friday prayer, and Ramadan to the next Ramadan are expiation of the sins committed between them, so long as major sins are avoided
Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said: "The five (daily) prayers, Friday prayer to the next Friday prayer, and Ramadan to the next Ramadan are expiation of the sins committed between them, so long as major sins are avoided."
Every act of goodness is charity
Jābir ibn ‘Abdullāh (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Every act of goodness is charity."
Whoever loves to have his sustenance expanded and his term of life prolonged should maintain his kinship ties
Anas ibn Mālik (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Whoever loves to have his sustenance expanded and his term of life prolonged should maintain his kinship ties."
Allah, the Exalted, says: "My reward shall be nothing less than Paradise for My faithful servant who, if I take the life of his beloved one from the inhabitants of the world, he bears it patiently in expectation of My reward."
Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Allah, the Exalted, said: 'My reward shall be nothing less than Paradise for My faithful servant who, if I take the life of his beloved one from the inhabitants of the world, he bears it patiently in expectation of My reward.'"
The best dinar a man spends is a dinar that he spends on his dependents, and a dinar that a man spends on his mount in the cause of Allah, and a dinar that he spends on his companions in the cause of Allah
Thawbān (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "The best dinar a man spends is a dinar that he spends on his dependents, and a dinar that a man spends on his mount in the cause of Allah, and a dinar that he spends on his companions in the cause of Allah." Abu Qilābah said: He began with the dependents. Then Abu Qilābah said: No man is greater in reward than a man who spends on young dependents, by virtue of whom Allah makes them chaste, or brings them benefit and enriches them.
Whoever provides for two girls until they reach puberty, he will come on the Day of Judgment, me and him," and he joined his fingers
Anas ibn Mālik (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Whoever provides for two girls until they reach puberty, he will come on the Day of Judgment, me and him," and he joined his fingers.
Which deed is dearest to Allah? He said: "Offering prayer at its earliest appointed time." I said: Then, what comes next? He said: "Dutifulness to one's parents." I said: Then, what comes next? He said: "Jihad in the way of Allah
‘Abdullah ibn Mas‘ūd (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: I asked the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him): Which deed is dearest to Allah? He said: "Offering prayer at its earliest appointed time." I said: Then, what comes next? He said: "Dutifulness to one's parents." I said: Then, what comes next? He said: "Jihad in the way of Allah." He said: These were the things he said to me, and if I had asked him for more, he would have given me more.
Are you not aware that Islam wipes out all (sins) that preceded it, and that Hijrah wipes out all (sins) that preceded it, and that Hajj wipes out all (sins) that preceded it?
Ibn Shumāsah al-Mahri reported: We went to ‘Amr ibn al-Āas (may Allah be pleased with him) when he was on his death bed. He wept for long and turned his face to the wall. His son kept saying: "O Father, didn't the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) give you the glad tidings of such-and-such? Didn't the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) give you the glad tidings of such-and-such?" He turned his face and said: "The best thing that we can prepare is the testimony that there is no god but Allah and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah. Verily, I have passed through three stages. I remember myself when I hated the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) more than anyone else and I wished for nothing more than killing him. Had I died in that state, I would have surely been from the dwellers of the Fire. When Allah instilled the love for Islam in my heart, I went to the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) and said: 'Stretch out your right hand so that I may pledge allegiance to you.' He stretched out his right hand, but I withdrew my hand. He said: 'What is the matter, ‘Amr ?' I replied: 'I wish to stipulate a condition.' He asked: 'What is your condition?' I said: 'That I would be forgiven.' He said: 'Are you not aware that Islam wipes out all (sins) that preceded it, and that Hijrah wipes out all (sins) that preceded it, and that Hajj wipes out all (sins) that preceded it?' Thereafter, no one was dearer to me than the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) nor was there anyone more revered in my eyes than him. I could never bring myself to catch a full glimpse of his face out of respect for him. If I were asked to describe his features, I would not be able to because I have never fully looked at him. Had I died in that state, I could have hoped to be from the dwellers of Paradise. Thereafter, we were made responsible for many things and in the light of which I am unable to know what is in store for me. When I die, let neither wailing woman nor fire accompany me. When you bury me, throw the earth gently over me, then stand around my grave for the time within which a camel is slaughtered and its meat is distributed so that I may find relief in your company and prepare what answer I can give to the messengers of my Lord."
Fear Allah your Lord, pray your five, fast your month, give the Zakah due on your wealth, obey your rulers, and you will enter your Lord's Paradise
Abu ’Umāmah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that he heard the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) delivering a sermon in the Farewell Hajj saying: "Fear Allah your Lord, pray your five, fast your month, give the Zakah due on your wealth, obey your rulers, and you will enter your Lord's Paradise."
Shall I not guide you to what Allah erases the sins and elevates the ranks with?
Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Shall I not guide you to what Allah erases the sins and elevates the ranks with?" They said: Yes, O Messenger of Allah. He said: "Performing ablution thoroughly despite the hardships, frequent steps to mosques, and waiting for one prayer after another; such is the Ribāt (garrison)."
O people, spread the greeting of peace, feed others, maintain kinship ties, and pray at night when people are asleep, and you will enter Paradise in peace
‘Abdullāh ibn Salām (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: When the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) came to Madīnah, the people rushed to meet him, and it was said: The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) has come! The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) has come! The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) has come! Three times. I came with the people to see him, and when I saw his face clearly, I knew that his face was not the face of a liar. The first thing I heard him say was: "O people, spread the greeting of peace, feed others, maintain kinship ties, and pray at night when people are asleep, and you will enter Paradise in peace."
You praised this, so Paradise has been affirmed for him, and you dispraised this, so Hell has been affirmed for him. You are Allah's witnesses on earth
Anas ibn Mālik (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: They (the Companions) passed by a funeral procession and praised the deceased. The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "It has been affirmed." Then they passed by another funeral procession but dispraised the deceased, so the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "It has been affirmed." ‘Umar ibn al-Khattāb (may Allah be pleased with him) asked: "What has been affirmed?" He replied: "You praised this, so Paradise has been affirmed for him, and you dispraised this, so Hell has been affirmed for him. You are Allah's witnesses on earth."
Allah has ninety-nine names – one hundred minus one – and no one memorizes them but that they will enter Paradise. He is One, and He loves odd numbers
Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: “Allah has ninety-nine names – one hundred minus one – and no one memorizes them but that they will enter Paradise. He is One, and He loves odd numbers.”
مَن أصبح منكم اليوم صائمًا؟
عن أبي هريرة قال: قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم: «مَن أصبح منكم اليوم صائمًا؟» قال أبو بكر رضي الله عنه: أنا، قال: «فمن تَبِعَ منكم اليوم جنازةً؟» قال أبو بكر رضي الله عنه: أنا، قال: «فمن أطعم منكم اليوم مسكينًا؟» قال أبو بكر رضي الله عنه: أنا، قال: «فمن عاد منكم اليوم مريضًا؟» قال أبو بكر رضي الله عنه: أنا، فقال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم: «ما اجتمعن في امرئٍ إلا دخل الجنة».
Observing Ribāt (guarding the Muslims' frontiers) for one day in the cause of Allah is better than the world and everything in it
Sahl ibn Sa‘d as-Sā‘idi (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Observing Ribāt (guarding the Muslims' frontiers) for one day in the cause of Allah is better than the world and everything in it. The place occupied by the whip of one of you in Paradise is better than the world and everything in it. The evening or morning walk that one takes in the cause of Allah is better than the world and everything in it."
Indeed, Allah has made Paradise obligatory for her because of it, or He has freed her from Hellfire because of it
‘Ā’ishah, the Mother of the Believers, (may Allah be pleased with her), reported: A poor woman came to me carrying her two daughters. So I gave her three dates to eat, and she gave one to each of her daughters. She then lifted a date to her mouth to eat it, but her daughters asked for it, so she split the date between the two of them. Her action amazed me. I mentioned what she did to the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) and he said: "Indeed, Allah has made Paradise obligatory for her because of it, or He has freed her from Hellfire because of it."
There are forty good qualities, the best of which is the lending of a milch goat. Anyone carries out any of these virtuous deeds seeking its reward (from Allah) with firm confidence that he will receive it, Allah will admit him to Paradise
Abu Muhammad Abdullāh ibn ‘Amr ibn al-‘Ās (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "There are forty good qualities, the best of which is the lending of a milch goat. Whoever carries out any of these virtuous deeds seeking its reward (from Allah) with firm confidence that he will receive it, Allah will admit him to Paradise."
The closest people to Allah are the ones who give the Salām first
Abu Umāmah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "The closest people to Allah are the ones who give the Salām first" [Abu Dāwud]. In the narration of At-Tirmidhi: The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) was asked: "When two persons meet, who should give the Salām first?" He said: "The one who is closer to Allah."
The best of people is the one whose life is long and his deeds are good
Abdullāh ibn Busr al-Aslami (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "The best of people is the one whose life is long and his deeds are good."
Perhaps a disheveled, rejected person at the doors, if he were to swear by Allah, He would fulfill his oath
Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Perhaps a disheveled, rejected person at the doors, if he were to swear by Allah, He would fulfill his oath."
The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) was never asked anything and said 'no'
Jābir ibn ‘Abdullāh (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) never said: "No" to anyone who asked him for something. Anas ibn Mālik (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: Never was the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) asked for anything by someone who was about to accept Islam but that he gave it to them. A man came to him and asked for alms, so he gave him a number of sheep (so large that they filled the space) between two mountains. So the man returned to his people and told them: "O my people, embrace Islam, for Muhammad gives lavishly like someone who does not fear any poverty." Some people would embrace Islam only for worldly gains, but Islam soon became dearer to them than the whole world and all what is in it.
Whoever spends something in the cause of Allah, it will be recorded for him as much as seven hundred times
Abu Yahya Khuraym ibn Fātik (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: “Whoever spends something in the cause of Allah, it will be recorded for him as much as seven hundred times.”
No Muslim visits a (sick) Muslim early in the morning but seventy thousand angels send blessings upon him
‘Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that he heard the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) saying: "No Muslim 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 will send blessings upon him until morning comes, and he will have a share of reaped fruits in Paradise.”
If the slave draws closer to Me by a hand-span, I shall draw closer to him by a cubit; and if he draws closer to Me by a cubit, I shall draw closer to him by the span of two outstretched arms. If he comes to Me walking, I shall come to him running
Anas ibn Mālik and Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with both of them) reported that the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said that Allah, the Almighty, said: "If the slave draws closer to Me by a hand-span, I shall draw closer to him by a cubit; and if he draws closer to Me by a cubit, I shall draw closer to him by the span of two outstretched arms. If he comes to Me walking, I shall come to him running."
While a man was walking on a path, he found a thorn branch on the road, so he put it aside. Allah, thus, thanked him and forgave him
Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "While a man was walking on a path, he found a thorn branch on the road, so he put it aside. Allah, thus, thanked him and forgave him."
What do you think of a man who does a good deed and people praise him for it? He said: That is instant good news for the believer
Abu Dharr (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: 'It was said to the Messenger of Allah (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him): "What do you think of a man who does a good deed and people praise him for it?" He said: "That is instant good news for the believer."
لَقَدْ رَأَيْتُ رَجُلًا يَتَقَلَّبُ في الجنةِ في شَجَرَةٍ قَطَعَهَا مِنْ ظَهْرِ الطَّرِيقِ كَانتْ تُؤْذِي المسلمينَ
عن أبي هريرة رضي الله عنه مرفوعاً: «لَقَدْ رَأَيْتُ رَجُلًا يَتَقَلَّبُ في الجنةِ في شَجَرَةٍ قَطَعَهَا مِنْ ظَهْرِ الطَّرِيقِ كَانتْ تُؤْذِي المسلمينَ». وفي رواية: «مَرَّ رَجُلٌ بِغُصْنِ شَجَرَةٍ عَلَى ظَهْرِ طَرِيقٍ، فقالَ: واللهِ لأُنَحِّيَنَّ هَذَا عَنِ المسلمينَ لَا يُؤْذِيهِمْ، فَأُدْخِلَ الجَنَّةَ». وفي رواية: «بينما رَجُلٌ يَمْشِي بِطَرِيقٍ وَجَدَ غُصْنَ شَوْكٍ عَلَى الطَّرِيقِ فَأَخَّرَهُ فَشَكَرَ اللهُ لهُ، فَغَفَرَ لهُ».
Allah Almighty does not sleep, and it is not befitting of Him to sleep
Abu Mūsa (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) stood among us and said five statements: "Allah Almighty does not sleep, and it is not befitting of Him to sleep. He lowers the Scales and raises them. The deeds done during the night are taken up to Him before the deeds done during the day, and the deeds done during the day before the deeds done during the night. His veil is light— and in another version: fire—and if He were to remove it, the glory of His Face would burn everything of His creation as far as His sight extends."
Indeed, I am the most God-fearing among you and the most knowledgeable of Allah
‘Ā’ishah, the Mother of the Believers (may Allah be pleased with her), reported: Whenever the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) instructed his Companions to do something, he would command them only with what they were able to bear. They said: O Messenger of Allah, we are not like you; Allah has forgiven your past and future sins. He would then become angry until his anger would be visible on his face, and say: "Indeed, I am the most God-fearing among you and the most knowledgeable of Allah."
أليس قد صليت معنا؟
عن أنس بن مالك رضي الله عنه قال: كنت عند النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم فجاءه رجل فقال: يا رسول الله، إني أصبتُ حدًّا فأقِمْهُ عليَّ. قال: ولم يسأله عنه، قال: وحضرت الصلاة، فصلى مع النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم، فلما قضى النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم الصلاة قام إليه الرجل فقال: يا رسول الله، إني أصبتُ حدًّا، فأقم فيَّ كتاب الله. قال: «أليس قد صليت معنا؟» قال: نعم، قال: «فإن الله قد غفر لك ذنبك» أو قال: «حدك».
مَن جاء بالحسنة فله عشرُ أمثالها وَأَزِيْدُ، ومن جاء بالسيئة فجزاؤه سيئة مثلها أو أغفر
عَنْ أَبِي ذَرٍّ قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ: «يَقُولُ اللهُ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ: مَنْ جَاءَ بِالْحَسَنَةِ فَلَهُ عَشْرُ أَمْثَالِهَا وَأَزِيدُ، وَمَنْ جَاءَ بِالسَّيِّئَةِ فَجَزَاؤُهُ سَيِّئَةٌ مِثْلُهَا أَوْ أَغْفِرُ، وَمَنْ تَقَرَّبَ مِنِّي شِبْرًا تَقَرَّبْتُ مِنْهُ ذِرَاعًا، وَمَنْ تَقَرَّبَ مِنِّي ذِرَاعًا تَقَرَّبْتُ مِنْهُ بَاعًا، وَمَنْ أَتَانِي يَمْشِي أَتَيْتُهُ هَرْوَلَةً، وَمَنْ لَقِيَنِي بِقُرَابِ الْأَرْضِ خَطِيئَةً لَا يُشْرِكُ بِي شَيْئًا لَقِيتُهُ بِمِثْلِهَا مَغْفِرَةً».
آخى رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم بين رجلين، فقتل أحدهما، ومات الآخر بعده بجمعة
عَنْ عُبَيْدِ بْنِ خَالِدٍ السُّلَمِيِّ قَالَ: آخَى رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ بَيْنَ رَجُلَيْنِ، فَقُتِلَ أَحَدُهُمَا، وَمَاتَ الْآخَرُ بَعْدَهُ بِجُمُعَةٍ، أَوْ نَحْوِهَا، فَصَلَّيْنَا عَلَيْهِ، فَقَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ: «مَا قُلْتُمْ؟» فَقُلْنَا: دَعَوْنَا لَهُ، وَقُلْنَا: اللَّهُمَّ اغْفِرْ لَهُ، وَأَلْحِقْهُ بِصَاحِبِهِ، فَقَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ: «فَأَيْنَ صَلَاتُهُ بَعْدَ صَلَاتِهِ، وَصَوْمُهُ بَعْدَ صَوْمِهِ؟ وَعَمَلُهُ بَعْدَ عَمَلِهِ، إِنَّ بَيْنَهُمَا كَمَا بَيْنَ السَّمَاءِ وَالْأَرْضِ».
سألتُ النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم: أيُّ العمل أفضل
عَنْ أَبِي ذَرٍّ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ قَالَ: سَأَلْتُ النَّبِيَّ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ: أَيُّ العَمَلِ أَفْضَلُ؟ قَالَ: «إِيمَانٌ بِاللَّهِ، وَجِهَادٌ فِي سَبِيلِهِ»، قُلْتُ: فَأَيُّ الرِّقَابِ أَفْضَلُ؟ قَالَ: «أَعْلاَهَا ثَمَنًا، وَأَنْفَسُهَا عِنْدَ أَهْلِهَا»، قُلْتُ: فَإِلَّمْ أَفْعَلْ؟ قَالَ: «تُعِينُ ضَايِعًا، أَوْ تَصْنَعُ لِأَخْرَقَ» قَالَ: فَإِلَّمْ أَفْعَلْ؟ قَالَ: «تَدَعُ النَّاسَ مِنَ الشَّرِّ، فَإِنَّهَا صَدَقَةٌ تَصَدَّقُ بِهَا عَلَى نَفْسِكَ».
Keep some of your wealth, for this is better for you
Ka‘b ibn Mālik (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: I said: "O Messenger of Allah, I would like to give all of my wealth as a charity for the sake of Allah and His Messenger to make my repentance fully approved." The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Keep some of your wealth, for this is better for you."
If a slave serves his master sincerely and worships Allah properly, he will have a double reward
Ibn ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said: 'If a slave serves his master sincerely and worships Allah properly, he will have a double reward.'" Abu Mūsa al-Ash‘ari (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said: "A slave who worships his Lord properly and discharges his duties towards his master, and is sincere and obedient to him will get a double reward."
Worship during times of turmoil is like emigration to me
Ma‘qil ibn Yasār (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Worship during times of turmoil is like emigration to me.”
Worship at times of chaos is like emigration to me
Ma‘qil ibn Yasār (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Worship at times of chaos is like emigration to me."
No two Muslims meet and shake hands except that their sins are forgiven before they part
Al-Barā’ (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "No two Muslims meet and shake hands except that their sins are forgiven before they part."