Save your good deeds

Article By Mufti Ebrahim Desai

Save your good deeds
When a person is engaged in any act of virtue, for example, he is an Ustaadh of Hadeeth, or a Mufti or he is engaged in the noble work of Tableegh or he may be serving the community in various ways, for example, he is a trustee of a Musjid or engaged in some social work, it is possible he may start feeling superior about himself. That may destroy his good deeds.

A believer is always focussed in doing good deeds to preserve them for his hereafter. He should do whatever it takes to preserve his good deeds. It is therefore vital that one should always fear one’s shortcomings and make abundant Istighfaar and seek Allah’s (Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala) forgiveness for one’s shortcomings.

Think what is the value of my good deeds in relation to the greatness of Allah (Subahanu Wa Ta’ala). My good deeds are absolutely insignificant.

Think, Allah (Subahanahu Wa Ta’ala) has many sincere servants who are engaged in serving Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala) many times more than me. What right do I have to be proud. Make Shukr to Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala) that he gave me the opportunity to serve him. I need Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala) . Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala) does not need me.

The habit of Istighfaar generates humility and sincerity in an individual and is a means of preserving one’s good deeds.

Reward For Deeds After Death & Sadaqa Jariya

Aboo Hurairah - radiyallaahi 'anhu - who said: Allaah's Messenger - salallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam - said:

Among the deeds and virtues whose reward will reach the Believer after his death are:

·       knowledge that he taught and disseminated(spread);

·       a righteous son whom he left behind;

·       a written copy of the Qur`aan which he left as a legacy;

·       or a mosque that he built;

·       or a house that he built for the passing traveller;

·       or a canal which he dug and caused to flow;

·       or charity which he gave from his property whilst he was alive and well, for which he will continue to receive reward after his death.

--Reported by Ibn Maajah (no.242), Ibn Khuzaymah (4/121/2490), and al-Bayhaqee in Shu`abul-Eemaan (3/274/3448). Declared 'hasan' by Shaikh al-Albaanee in Saheehut- Targheeb wat-Tarheeb (no.77).