4. A hidden good deed

The Prophet (Peace and blessings be upon him) commended us in an authentic narration to have what can be called ‘a hidden good deed’ as he said,

“Whoever among you can afford to have good deeds stored in secret, let him do it.” (Sahih al-Jami`)

Consequently, you should have at least a good deed stored in secret; that’s to have a concealed good deed or more between you and your Lord alone with no one else knowing anything about it. If you do so, you will surely find what will please you with your Lord on the Day of Judgment by Allah’s Grace and Favor.

Open your heart to the following words of Muhammad ibn Wasi`(d. AH 123) who said,

“I have seen men, and amongst them would be a man whose head would be next to his wife’s head on the same pillow, and his tears would soak all that’s underneath his cheek yet his own wife wouldn’t even know it. I have seen men lining up in a row (for prayer), and amongst them a man would stand, his tears flowing down his cheeks, yet the person next to him wouldn’t even know it.”

Indeed, these are the men to be emulated by those who want to gain Allah’s Favors and Blessings in this present life and the Hereafter!

5. Night Prayer

Night Prayer is the habit of the righteous, the trade of the faithful and the business of the successful. In the middle of the night, the faithful retire with their Lord and direct their selves to their Originator as complaining to Him their affairs and asking Him of His Favor and Grace.

Allah describes true believers as those, {Who forsake their beds…} (As-Sajdah 32:16), which means, according to Mujahid and Al-Hasan, that they perform Night Prayer. Ibn Kathir said, “That means Night Prayer, leaving sleep and rest on comfortable beds.”

Abdul Haqq Al-Ishbili said:

“Those whose sides repel from their beds… as a result of their fear of the warning and in hope for what they were promised”.

The Prophet said, “`Abdullah is a good man. I wish he prayed Tahajjud.” After that `Abdullah (i.e. Salim’s father) used to sleep but a little at night. (Al-Bukhari)

He also (Peace and blessings be upon him) said:

“Whoever prays at night with ten verses is not considered of the inattentive ones, whoever prays at night with one hundred verses is considered among the submissive and whoever prays at night with one thousand verses is considered of the quintals (Al-Muqanttirin) collectors (of reward not gold).” (Abu Dawud)

Narrated `A’ishah: The Prophet used to offer prayer at night (for such a long time) that his feet used to crack. I said, ‘O Allah’s Apostle! Why do you do it since Allah has forgiven you your faults of the past and those to follow?’ He said, ‘Shouldn’t I love to be a thankful slave (of Allah)?’” (Al-Bukhari)

All this indicates that thanking Allah should not be by the tongue alone; it should be by the heart, tongue and organs. The Prophet (Peace and blessings be upon him) worshipped Allah in a perfect manner along with working for the dissemination of the word of Islam, educating Muslims, striving in the Cause of Allah, as well as taking care about his own household (Peace and blessings be upon him).

Therefore, a faithful Muslim should be keen on this prayer and should perform it regularly with patience in the cause of Allah, Glorified and Exalted.

6. Good manners

Good manners is considered to be one of the most important objectives of the faith of Islam and one of the best good deeds in the Sight of Allah the Almighty. In addition, it is the cornerstone in the administrative and commercial systems and any other successful system in our modern world be it with Muslims or non-Muslims. Good manners are required in every age and place. Allah says,

{And thou (standest) on an exalted standard of character.}. (Al-Qalam 68:4)

In the same vein, Lady `A’ishah was asked about the character or morals of Prophet Muhammad (Peace and blessings be upon him) she said, “His morals were the morals of the Qur’an.” (Muslim)

No doubt, good manners occupy one of the greatest positions in Islam as the Prophet (Peace and blessings be upon him) is reported to have said, “I was sent (by Allah) to perfect the sublime morals.” (Ahmed’s Musnad) As if the Prophet (Peace and blessings be upon him) summed up his entire divine mission in this matter.

Narrated Abu Shuraih:

“The Prophet said, ‘By Allah, he does not believe! By Allah, he does not believe! By Allah, he does not believe!’

It was said, ‘Who is that, O Allah’s Apostle?’

He said, ‘That person whose neighbor does not feel safe from his evil.’” (Al-Bukhari)

It is Allah’s religion and doctrine which strings security with faith and every good moral.

May Allah the Almighty establish us among those who hear advice and follow the best thereof! Amen.