… Continued
Al-Baraa’ ibn ‘Aazib said that the Messenger of Allah ordered them to do seven things (including): "To accept invitations, to help the oppressed and to fulfill the oaths." [Al-Bukhari and Muslim] Besides, ‘Umar ibn Al-Khattaab added that the Prophet said on the same occasion: "Help the oppressed (sorrowful) and guide those who have lost their way." [Abu Daawood]
Giving respite for the insolvent is another act of goodness. It was narrated on the authority of Sulaymaan ibn Buraydah that his father said, I heard the Prophet saying:
"Whoever gives respite to an insolvent person, will receive a reward as if he has spent this amount in charity for every day he delays." Then, I heard him saying: ‘Whoever gives respite to an insolvent person, will receive a reward as if he has spent double this amount in charity for every day he delays.’ He said, ‘O Messenger of Allah, I heard you saying, ‘Whoever gives respite to an insolvent person, will receive a reward as if he has spent this amount in charity for every day he delays’ then, I heard you saying, ‘Whoever gives respite to an insolvent person, will receive a reward as if he has spent double this amount in charity for every day he delays?’ He said: ‘He will receive a reward as if he has spent this amount in charity for every day before the debt is due. When the debt is due, he will receive a reward as if he has spent double this amount in charity for every day he delays.’" [Ahmad]
Being kind to animals is an act of goodness. Abu Hurayrah narrated that the Messenger of Allah said:
"While a man was walking, he felt thirsty and went down a well and drank water from it. On coming out of it, he saw a dog panting and eating mud because of excessive thirst. The man said, 'This (dog) is suffering from extreme thirst like I was.’ So he (went down the well), filled his shoe with water, caught hold of it with his teeth and climbed up and gave water to the dog. Allah thanked him for his (good) deed and forgave him.’ The people asked, ‘O Messenger of Allah! Is there a reward for us in serving (the) animals?’ He replied: ‘Yes, there is a reward for serving any animate being.’" [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]
Moreover, Allah The Almighty facilitates charity as He considers desisting from doing mischief to people a sort of charity that can be performed by man. Thus, if he does not do good, he should not do evil. This is supported by the Hadeeth (narration) of Abu Tharr who narrated,
"I said, ‘O Messenger of Allah, which of the deeds is the best?’ He (the Prophet ) replied: ‘Belief in Allah and Jihaad (striving) in His cause.’ I again asked, ‘Who is the slave whose emancipation is the best?’ He replied: ‘One who is the most precious for his master and whose price is the highest.’ I said, ‘If I cannot afford to do it?’ He replied: ‘Help an artisan or make anything for the unskilled (laborer).’ I (Abu Tharr) said, ‘O Messenger of Allah, you see that I am helpless in doing some of these deeds.’ He replied: ‘Desist from doing mischief to people. That is your charity for yourself.’" [Muslim]
The righteous predecessors set the greatest examples in doing acts of goodness. Abu Bakr As-Siddeeq after assuming the caliphate, used to go everyday to a house in the outskirts of Madeenah where an old blind woman resided. He would cook her food and clean her house. She did not know who he was. He used to compete with ‘Umar ibn Al Khattaab in serving people. When ‘Umar assumed the caliphate, he used to acquaint himself with the conditions of the Muslims. He found a widow with her orphans crying because of hunger. He immediately went to Bayt Al-Maal (the Muslim treasury), carried some food on his back, cooked it for them and stayed with them till they ate and laughed.
(To be continued)