Every Good Deed

By Zartasha Zainab

  It is important to follow generally a criteria for every good deed. This criteria includes doing the good deeds and making sure that this deed is in fact good. Sometimes people do bad things but think they are good so it is important to know that what you are doign is good and beneficial and not evil and harmful. Secondly it is important to make sure that the good deed within your capacity, limitations and with the correct intentions and your ikhlas is correct. It is never right to exhaust yourself or chase after anyone. When a deed is done strictly for the sake of Allah swt than there is always a sense of understanding and doing your best but knowing how much your best is and further being satisfied with it. This should change your outlook - for  example for it to be given the right amount of weight you have to do it to the best of your ability and with sincerity. Finally, the results and satisfaction phase should let you know and be an indicator as to whether your deed was done in sincerity or not.

(1) Is it right? - The first thing to make sure is that your deeds are in fact good. We sometimes think something is good for someone when in fact it is harmful. Take the example of "free mixing" generally you would think that being nice, kind, soft to everyone is a good thing but there is a specific criteria when dealing with the opposite gender. For example you dont want to create an environment where the person longs to be connected to you. You dont want them to "fall in love" you want to make sure that there is a certain limit. Or the example of alcohol. It is prohibited. You might think that temporarily it is a way to escape stress but it is only an avoidant factor and just like everythign else in the world, the more problems or responsibilities you "avoid" or "run from" the more they will keep on piling up on you. Most human beings generally don't look towards the "hereafter" but the hereafter starts in this world and proceeds on to the next. The consequences of wrong actions taht we initially perceive to be good can actually have very harmful affects in the long run. It is important to ensure that all limitations are practiced and that we dont do wrong things and make sure they are right, correct, authentic and truly beneficial lifestyle, habits and deeds.

(2) Know your Limitation- The good deed should be spiritually healthy. For example, you dont need to work yourself out or go beyond your ability. It is true that some people are much better at achieving more things in a limited amount of time, however, you have to build according to your own capacity. This means that none of the pillars including the pillar of prayer or other are being interfered. That the work you are doing are within your capacity and will not add to stress factors that go way beyond your capacity. You shouldn't have to compromise your rights or those of your family. Know your capacity and do it for the sake of Allah swt.

(3) The correct intentions - So if you cant do it than dont, but if you do it, do it properly, with good intentions, with "bismillah" in the name of Allah and do it cheerfully and optimistancly with correct ikhlas. For the sake of Allah swt. Learn about intentions and learn to guard your heart correctly and when you do any good deed know why you are doign it and how it is service to the will of Allah swt. Take every good deed as an opportunity to serve Allah swt. Some good deeds have no weight to them because they lack sincerity. It is important to do heavy weighted good deeds in order for them to be counted towards the balance of good deeds.

(4) The results - The results for a good deed are inevitable.Seek your reward, your approval, and fear making mistakes for the sake of Allah swt. Do not fear people, do not seek reward from people, do not seek approval from people, the satisfaction you get out of doign every good action is with Allah swt alone and when it is done sincerely and truly for His sake it is not a loss.

"Then as for him whose balance of good deeds will be heavy, He will live in a pleasant life in paradise, But as for him whose balance of good deeds will be light, he will have his home in the pit of hell." (Quran; 101; 6-8)