The reward for good actions and punishment for bad ones rests entirely with God. The reward that one receives for good acts is not the natural consequence of those acts; it is rather due to the grace and benevolence of God and it is entirely up to Him to reward one or not. Likewise, punishment for evil deeds is not a natural and unalterable consequence of man’s acts. Allah says:
مَّثَلُ الَّذِينَ يُنفِقُونَ أَمْوَالَهُمْ فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ كَمَثَلِ حَبَّةٍ أَنبَتَتْ سَبْعَ سَنَابِلَ فِي كُلِّ سُنبُلَةٍ مِّائَةُ حَبَّةٍ وَاللَّهُ يُضَاعِفُ لِمَن يَشَاءُ وَاللَّهُ وَاسِعٌ عَلِيمٌ
“The example of those who spend their wealth in the way of Allah is like a seed which grows seven spikes, in each spike is a hundred grains. Allah multiplies His reward for whom He wills, for Allah is vast and knowing.” (Surah Al-Baqarah 2:261)
God has full authority to punish a man for his sin as well as to pardon him. All the instructions that Islam bring are with the objective that people could change their lives for the better and continue living it in a better manner. Allah says:
وَنَادَىٰ أَصْحَابُ النَّارِ أَصْحَابَ الْجَنَّةِ أَنْ أَفِيضُوا عَلَيْنَا مِنَ الْمَاءِ أَوْ مِمَّا رَزَقَكُمُ اللَّهُ قَالُوا إِنَّ اللَّهَ حَرَّمَهُمَا عَلَى الْكَافِرِينَ
“And (will) call out (the) companions (of) the Fire (to the) companions (of) Paradise [that], “Pour upon us [of] (some) water or of what Allah has provided you.” They (will) say, “Indeed, Allah has forbidden both to the disbelievers,” (Surah Al-Araaf: 7:50)
The deed is an action that creates consequences for whoever did it. In Islam, we know good deeds and bad deeds, both actions will give Muslim consequences in the forms of reward and sins or punishment from Allah. Sometimes what deeds we choose is the result of our faith in Allah SWT. If we believe in Islam and its though we will only perform good deeds in our daily life. It is clear that those who believe and commit good deeds for them Allah has a better life in this world and the life Hereafter as well. Allah says:
مَنْ عَمِلَ صَالِحًا مِّن ذَكَرٍ أَوْ أُنثَىٰ وَهُوَ مُؤْمِنٌ فَلَنُحْيِيَنَّهُ حَيَاةً طَيِّبَةً وَلَنَجْزِيَنَّهُمْ أَجْرَهُم بِأَحْسَنِ مَا كَانُوا يَعْمَلُونَ
“Whoever does righteous deeds whether male or female while he (is) a believer, then surely We will give him l a life good, and We will pay them their reward to (the) best of what they used (to) do.” (Surah An-Nahl 16:97)
Islam does not encourage asceticism. Islam is a religion for the society, therefore, it expects from its followers to develop a society where every individual works towards helping and taking care of each other and where the rule of goodness prevails. In good deeds especially, there are several deeds that are classified as the most rewarding deeds in Islam. Allah says:
مَنْ جَاءَ بِالْحَسَنَةِ فَلَهُ خَيْرٌ مِنْهَا وَمَنْ جَاءَ بِالسَّيِّئَةِ فَلَا يُجْزَى الَّذِينَ عَمِلُوا السَّيِّئَاتِ إِلَّا مَا كَانُوا يَعْمَلُونَ.
”Whoever brings good, he shall have better than it, and whoever brings evil, those who do evil shall not be rewarded (for) aught except what they did.” (Surah Qasas 27:84)
Islam is the religion of goodness and righteousness. It orders Muslims to do good deeds so that others may follow them. The aforementioned are some good deeds that a Muslim can incorporate into his or her daily routine. The incorporation of these deeds makes a person a practising Muslim and the development of the habit of these deeds do elevate the spiritual level of a Muslim whilst making the life change for the better.
Good Deeds with great rewards in Islam are as below:
- A good deed is always thanking Allah for everything
- A good deed is attending lectures in the Masjid
- A good deed is asked for Allah’s forgiveness
- A good deed is thought of as something well
- A good deed is to teach an elderly person
- A good deed is a remembrance of Allah
- A good deed is to define your success
- A good deed is breaking of the fast
- A good deed is Istighfar to yourself
- A good deed is to show the effort
- A good deed is visiting the sick
- A good deed is to set goals
- A good deed is reciting tasbeeh
- A good deed is praying regularly
- A good deed is to find inspiration
- A good deed is to find motivation
- A good deed is done the homeless
- A good deed is don’t procrastinate
- A good deed is given thanks to Allah
- A good deed is asking Allah to forgive
- A good deed is to help a friend in need
- A good deed is to create habits of goals
- A good deed does not take the task lightly
- A good deed is glorifying and Praising Allah
إِنَّ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَعَمِلُوا الصَّالِحَاتِ كَانَتْ لَهُمْ جَنَّاتُ الْفِرْدَوْسِ نُزُلًا
“Indeed, those who believed and did righteous deeds, for them will be Gardens (of) the Paradise (as) a lodging,” (Surah Al-Kahf 18:107)
Islam does not teach us to break the bond of brotherhood, but Islam teaches us to always connect the bonds of brotherhood. By the bond of brotherhood, Allah will expose our sustenance and Allah will extend our life. Any Muslim who can protect the abilities of his brother, Allah Almighty will turn his face from hell and God will put him to heaven. Allah says:
يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا كُلُوا مِن طَيِّبَاتِ مَا رَزَقْنَاكُمْ وَاشْكُرُوا لِلَّهِ إِن كُنتُمْ إِيَّاهُ تَعْبُدُونَ
“O you who believe !! Eat of the good things that We have provided for you, and be grateful to Allah, if it is Him you worship.” (Surah Al Baqara:2:172)
Attending funeral prayer especially someone close to us, related to us such as a neighbour, relatives, friends, and so forth is a most rewarding deed in Islam. It’s not only about giving them our condolences but it is also part of respect, care, and our support for the families left behind. Allah says:
وَالَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَعَمِلُوا الصَّالِحَاتِ أُولَٰئِكَ أَصْحَابُ الْجَنَّةِ هُمْ فِيهَا خَالِدُونَ
“And those who believed and did righteous deeds, those (are the) companions (of) Paradise; they in it (will) abide forever.” (Surah Al-Baqarah 2:82)
Work harder to do good deeds under the good intention and make it into action. Whenever you are going to the mosque, bring along the charity money in your pocket. Put a reminder of your friend’s birthday on your phone and sleep early to make it wake up for Allah. Surely Allah never sleeps and He knows all things that you do.
Here is the Quran verse of why Muslims should commit it:
- “Verily, those who believe, and do deeds of righteousness, their Lord will guide them through their faith; under them will flow rivers in the Gardens of Delight (Paradise).” (Surah Yunus 10: Ayah 9)
- “Gardens under which rivers flow (i.e. in Paradise) to dwell therein forever. Allah’s promise is the Truth; and whose words can be truer than those of Allah?” (Surah An-Nisa’ 4: Ayah 122)
- “Verily, those who believe and do righteous good deeds, and humble themselves before their Lord, they will be dwellers of Paradise to dwell therein forever.” (Surah Hud 11: Ayah 23)
- “Allah has promised those who believe and do deeds of righteousness, that for them there is forgiveness and a great reward (i.e. Paradise).”(Surah Al-Maidah 5: Ayah 9)
- “Except those who show patience and do righteous good deeds: those, theirs will be forgiveness and a great reward (Paradise).” (Surah Hud 11: Ayah 11)
- “Verily those who believe and do righteous deeds shall have the Gardens of Al-Firdaus (Paradise) for their entertainment.” (Surah Al-Kahf 18: Ayah 107)
- “And those who believe and do righteous good deeds, they are dwellers of paradise, they will dwell therein forever.” (Surah Al-Baqarah 2: Ayah 82)
A human being, especially Muslims was created in the world under a certain mission: to worship Allah SWT. He has the rules of living and later we must take responsibility for all the things we have done in the world on the Day of Judgement. The final destination for every Muslim is Jannah, and the only way to get there is by doing good deeds. All the deeds later will be able to help us. Allah says:
إِنَّ اللَّهَ يُدْخِلُ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَعَمِلُوا الصَّالِحَاتِ جَنَّاتٍ تَجْرِي مِن تَحْتِهَا الْأَنْهَارُ إِنَّ اللَّهَ يَفْعَلُ مَا يُرِيدُ
“Truly, Allah will admit those who believe and do righteous good deeds to Gardens underneath which rivers flow (in Paradise). Verily, Allah does what He wills.” (Surah Al-Hajj 22:14)
Muslims know the importance of devotion to parents in Islam. Devotion to parents is by kind to them, honoured them, treating them well, giving them loves and helping them. We know that our parents have been struggling with growing us, giving us our needs, giving us both physical, spiritual, and educational adequacy. Allah says:
فَأَمَّا مَنْ أَعْطَى وَاتَّقَى. وَصَدَّقَ بِالْحُسْنَى. فَسَنُيَسِّرُهُ لِلْيُسْرَى.
”Then as for him who gives away and guards (against evil), and accepts the best. We will facilitate for him the east end.” (Surah Layl 92:5-7)
Therefore, we must strive to perform many good deeds regularly and be careful not to ruin them with sins. We ask Allah to accept our deeds and to multiply them in Paradise and to protect us from evil deeds and the destruction they cause in the Hereafter. Indeed a Muslim man and woman must have a noble character. You should be a good person, and being kind to others can add to our age.