Accredit the Deen, not yourself https://the-finalrevelation.blogspot.com.ng/2017/08/accredit-deen-not-yo...

Accredit the Deen, not yourself

Table of Contents:

Situation #1: You came clean with a defect in one of your products for which your
customers appreciated you a ton

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Situation #2: You found a flaw in your colleague's work but informed him privately
instead of humiliating him publicly

Situation #3: Someone did you a favour or helped you out, you gift him back

Situation #4: Someone knowingly harmed you but you respond back differently

Situation #5: You got angry at your subordinate for something petty or due to
ego/office politics.

Situation #6: You saw him being cheated and came to his rescue

Situation #7: You are on a hiking trip & end up sharing your meal with some lost
trekkers

Situation #8: You are overstaying at someone's house and ensure you clean your
left-over's in every situation

Situation #9: You come across someone who is sick

Situation #10: You console someone you came across to be upset/crying

Situation #11: You cooked something special and shared it with your neighbour

Situation #12: You insist on the labourers taking their payment on the last day of
work

Situation #13: You offer to reconcile/arbitrate between two strangers fighting

Situation #14: You participate in a campaign for improving the environment by

cleaning the beach

Situation #15: Your friend asks you to hold on to his belonging and remembers it
after 2 weeks

Situation #16: You overhear your neighbour hitting his wife so you come over to
mediate

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Situation #17: Someone seeks your advise in career or other matter & you advise
him far better than others did

Situation #18: You help someone who seemed confused at a government office
regarding the Visa applying formalities

Situation #19: An Officer helps you repair your broken down car

I firmly believe that any and everything good - among morals, values and/or ethics -
stem from within the teachings of Islam. Being aware about the boldness of this
claim, i will tend to briefly support it below:

From a Muslim point of view, it is our firm belief that we are created with certain
qualities or characteristic traits by God himself. For each his own. And same ruling
applies to good traits that a person adopts or develops over time.

The Messenger of Allah (sallalahu `alayhi wa sallam) said:

Verily, There is no doubt that Allah is the one who guides to the best of
manners and he is the one who diverts a person away from the worst of
manners

[Ref: Silsilah as-saheeha 3255, there is thus a du`a for this, Allahumma inni
`audhibika min munkiraatil-akhlaaqihi - Oh Allah i seek your refuge from bad
manners and traits]

The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) told Ashajj (may god be
pleased with him):

You have two qualities which Allah and His Messenger love.' He asked,
'Was I born with them or are they characteristics which I have acquired

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(on my own)?' He said, 'No, they are part of the natural character on
which you were created (by Allah).' They are clemency (mercy or
forbearance) and deliberateness (Arabic: anaah). Ashajj said, 'Praise
belongs to Allah who has created me with what Allah an His Messenger
love!'"

[Ref: Sunan Abi Dawud 5225, Saheeh Muslim ]

And as for anah (deliberateness), then it is proceeding with care and exactness and
abandoning haste, and that is reigning oneself in

Al-Qaadhi Iyaadh said: So al-anaah is to wait watchfully until one sees the benefits of
a situation, and not to rush

So every time you do something good to others and are appreciated for it or even not,
make sure you accredit the religion for it because first of all, had Allah not decreed
you do that good act, you would never have!. Secondly, your good action is already
something Islam teaches to its followers. Not only this approach helps you
rectify your intention, gain reward via it but also helps teach others the
values of Islam. Here are some real-life based examples.

Situation #1: You came clean with a defect in one of your products for
which your customers appreciated you a ton

When the customers respond, you could summarise the below.

The prophet (sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam) said:

The trader who is truthful will be (among) those seven (categories of

people) who will be under the shadow of the Throne of Allah the Most
High on the Day of Resurrection.

[Ref: Narrated in Al-Asmaa wa Sifaat (p. 371) and Ibn Hajar classed it Hasan in Fath
al-Baari (2/144).]

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The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) also said:

Merchants (often) are the evildoers. It was said: O Messenger of Allaah,

has Allaah not permitted buying and selling? He said: Yes, but they
speak and tell lies, and they swear (false) oaths (to fool, betray customers
and gain profit) and sin (as a result of it).

[Ref: Narrated by Ahmad (3/428); al-Haakim (2/8) See -Silsilah al-Saheehah

(366).]

This is how i did it: You're most welcome, after all this is what my religion teaches
me [smile], so i was bound to disclose the defect anyway.
Situation #2: You found a flaw in your colleague's work but informed him
privately instead of humiliating him publicly

What goes around, comes back around. Who doesn't make blunders? Heck we have a
long list of successful people lecturing new bee's to fail majorly - as a motivational
speech. But colleagues tend to expose each other more so due to jealousy or
competition. May allah forgive us all.

When he thanks you, summarise the below:

The Messenger of Allah (sallalahu `alayhi wa sallam) said:

Whoever conceals the (hidden) fault of his Muslim brother, Allah (SWT)
will conceal his faults on the Day of Resurrection.

[Ref: Sunan ibn Majah, Book 20, Hadith 2643]

The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, also said:

Whoever supports his brother in private, then Allah will support him in
this life and in the Hereafter.

[Ref: Mu`jam Al-Kabeer 14771]

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Note: These faults are those which if concealed does not really cause any major harm
either to the business or company. But If the flaw really needs to be exposed for
security reasons or because the person deserves to be corrected for his repeated
offences, then yes it is mandatory to disclose it.

Situation #3: Someone did you a favour or helped you out, you gift him
back

When he comments " It really wasn't need but nevertheless, it was so thoughtful of
you" , you reply with the below:

The Messenger of Allah (sallalahu `alayhi wa sallam) said:

He who was given a gift and was able to reward for it (by re gifting) let
him do so, and he who was not able to reward for it let him praise [ and
pray for the giver] for that he who praised has been thankful, and he who
concealed [the gift] has disbelieved [minor disbelief].

[Ref: At-Tirmidhi no 2034 and Al-Albaanee graded it as sound in Saheeh at-Targheeb

no 968.]

Situation #4: Someone knowingly harmed you but you respond back
differently

It amazes people seeing how you didn't stoop down to their level. Some even come
clean apologising or regretting and this is when you get the opportunity to
summarise:

Allah says:

Repel [evil] by that [deed] which is better; and thereupon the one whom
between you and him is enmity [will become] as though he was a devoted
friend. [Ref: Qur'an 41:34]

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Allah also said:

who repress anger, and who pardon men; verily, Allah loves Al-
Muhsinoon (the gooddoers).

[Ref: Qur'an 3:134]

The Messenger of Allah (sallalahu `alayhi wa sallam) said:

"... if a man abuses and shames you for something which he finds in you,
then do not shame him for something which you find in him; (for) you
will earn the reward (for this) and he will bear the evil consequences for
what he said."

[Ref: Musnad Ahmed, 20633, Adab al-Mufrad and Sunan Abu Dawud 4084, Saheeh]
Situation #5: You got angry at your subordinate for something petty or
due to ego/office politics.

The Messenger of Allah (sallalahu `alayhi wa sallam) said:

Whoever suppresses his anger when he has the authority (in this
world) to exact/unleash it, but withholds (for the sake of Allah then)
Allaah fills his heart with hope on the day of Judgement [and calls him in
front of all the top leaders from mankind to reward him]

[Ref: Jami` Tirmidhi, Sunan Abi dawood and Silsilah Ahadeeth As-Saheehah of
Shaykh Al-Albaani. No. 906]

the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: The
strong man is not the one who can wrestle (fight); the strong man is the
one who controls himself at the time of anger.

[Ref: Saheeh Bukhari]

The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said

Whoever (unjustly) harms others, then Allah will harm him. Whoever is

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harsh with others, then Allah will be harsh with him.

[Ref: Sunan al-Tirmidhi 1940]

Situation #6: You saw him being cheated and came to his rescue

He thanks you for saving his hard earned money go into waste or saving him from
having his sick daughter consulted by a fraud doctor. You summarise the below
saying it was obligatory upon you from your religion to help enjoin good and stop
evil:

The Messenger of Allah (sallalahu `alayhi wa sallam) said:

When the people see a wrongdoer and do not prevent him, Allah will soon
punish them all. Amr ibn Hushaym's version has: I heard the Messenger
of Allah ( )say: If acts of disobedience are done among any people and
do not change them though they are able to do so, Allah will soon punish
them all.

[Ref: Sunan Abi Dawood (4338), Saheeh. For more see: https://the-
finalrevelation.blogspot.com/2014/08/proofs-for-forbidding-or-refuting-evil.html]

Situation #7: You are on a hiking trip & end up sharing your meal with
some lost trekkers

They: Thank you so much for helping us out at such a critical circumstance.

You: Don't feel obliged, as my Prophet sallallahu `alaihi wa sallam said (encouraging
us), When the Ashariyoon [a tribe from Yemen] ran short of food
during an expedition or when they were at home in Al-Madinah, they
gathered all the provisions they had in a single sheet and then divide it
equally among themselves. They are of me and I am of them.

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[Ref: al-Bukhari and Muslim]

Situation #8: You are overstaying at someone's house and ensure you
clean your left-over's in every situation

Be it as a guest, or as a night-out over with friends, displaying manners of hygiene

and cleanliness is always a plus. When they thank you for your gesture you reply:

My Prophet instructed us saying: Cleanliness is half of faith (Emaan).

[Ref: Sahih Muslim 223]

Situation #9: You come across someone who is sick

Narrated 'Urwa: Aisha used to recommend at-Talbeenah (A Sweet arabic dish) for the
(non diabetic) sick and for such a person as grieved over a dead person. She used to
say, "I heard Allah's Messenger (peace be upon him) saying, 'at-Talbina gives rest to
the heart of the patient and makes it active and relieves some of his
sorrow and grief.'"

[Ref: Sahih al-Bukhari 5689]

This hadeeth helps us deduce benefits such as gifting something to the one who is sick
or stressed that will cheer him/her up. It could be anything the person likes, or
anything that is considered good in your custom/town/culture. It could be a sweet
dish or a bunch of grapes or fruits or anything. This is from the good manners and
cordial relations which Islam teaches.

Situation #10: You console someone you came across to be worried

You've been very kind to console me bro, i really appreciate your motivation.

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You: Don't worry pal, because my Prophet (sallalahu `alayhi wa sallam) told us :

There is no believer who consoles his brother at the time of a calamity

but that Allah the Exalted will clothe him with noble garments on the Day
of Resurrection.

[Ref: Sunan Ibn Majah 1601]

Situation #11: You cooked something special and shared it with your
neighbour

Neighbour: Oh , that is very nice of you dear

You: Thank you but this is something we tend to do habitually because our Prophet
(sallalahu `alayhi wa sallam) said:

Certainly whoever has been given a portion of gentleness, has been given
his portion of goodness in the world and the hereafter. Having good and
cordial relations with relatives, good manners and being good to
neighbours blesses your dwellings and lengthens your life.

[Ref: Silsilah Aahadeeth as-saheeha 519]

Situation #12: You insist on the labourers taking their payment on the
last day of work

Workers: It is really okay boss, you can pay us next month whenever convenient.

You: No, i am obliged to fulfil the contract term because my Prophet said:

The greatest of sins near Allah are of. a man who employs someone to
have his work done and does not pay him his wages

[Ref: Mustadrak al-Haakim Vol 3, Page 538; Sunan al-Kubra lil Bayhaqi 13330,
Hasan]

He, peace and blessings be upon him, also emphasized on this saying:

Give the worker his wages before his sweat dries.

[Ref: Sunan ibn Maajah, Book 16, Hadith 2537, Saheeh]

Situation #13: You offer to reconcile/arbitrate between two strangers

fighting

After using your communication skill to reconcile between them

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They: So how much do we owe you for the trouble you went through for us?

You: I seek not anything from you but from my Lord for my Prophet informed us:

"Shall I not inform you of something more excellent in degree than

fasting, prayer and spending in charity?" The people replied: 'Yes, O,
Prophet of Allaah!' He said: "Reconciling between people."

[Ref: Abu Daawood and others]

Situation #14: You participate in a campaign for improving the

environment by cleaning the beach

Campaign team leader: Thank you for your hard work.

You: Most welcome, though my motivation came from my prophet who said:

"Removing harmful things from the road is an act of charity (sadaqah).

[Ref: Books of sunan and saheeh and elsewhere he also said a man was in paradise for
he removed a stone/tree that blocked the path of the travellers]

Situation #15: Your friend asks you to hold on to his belonging and
remembers it after 2 weeks

Friend: Oh thanks a lot, i thought i had lost it ! I forgot i left it with you the other day

You: No problem. Actually i was obliged to fulfil the trust because my Prophet said:

The signs of the hypocrite are three: when he speaks, he lies; when he
makes a promise, he breaks it; and when he is entrusted with something,
he betrays that trust.

[Ref: Narrated by al-Bukhari, 33; Muslim, 59]

He also said:

If you love that Allah and his Messenger love you, then continue to ..
fulfilling trusts

[Ref: Silsilah ahadeeth as-saheeha 2998]

Situation #16: You overhear your neighbour hitting his wife so you come
over to mediate

She: Thank you so much for the other day.

You: No problem. We Muslims are taught by our Prophet to do so. He said:

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'Indeed Allaah advices you in the strongest possible terms to be good to

women, indeed Allaah advices you in the strongest possible terms to be
good to women, advices you in the strongest possible terms with regards
to women, indeed they are your mothers, your daughters, your sisters,
your paternal aunts (father's sisters) and your maternal aunts(mother's
sisters).

Situation #17: Someone seeks your advise in career or other matter & you
advise him far better than others did

He: I appreciate your detailed feedback and council. Usually people never explain all
the angles the way you did and end up lying out off envy.

You: Most welcome. Had i not been honest it would be sinful for me because my
Prophet said:

Whoever advises his brother to do something while knowing that

another matter is better than it, he has indeed betrayed him.

[Ref: Abu Daawood]

Situation #18: You help someone who seemed confused at a government

office regarding the Visa applying formalities

She/He: Thank you so much for guiding me leaving your work. I really appreciate it!

You: Sure thing. I did it because My prophet promised us saying that :

The most beloved of the people to Allaah are the most beneficial for the
people....Whoever walks with his brother to assist him with a need until
he has helped him completely, then Allaah plants his feet firmly on the
day people will not stand firmly.

[Ref: Silsilah Ahadeeth As-Saheehah of Shaykh Al-Albaani. No. 906]

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Situation #19: An Officer helps you repair your broken down car

You: Thank you for helping me fix this problem.

Officer: No problem, it was my job anyway as a road side assistant officer

You: Nevertheless, my prophet (sallalahu `alayhi wa sallam) said:

Whoever is not grateful for small things will not be grateful for large
things. Whoever is not thankful to people has not thanked Allah..

[Ref: Musnad Ahmad 17982]

Conclusion:

Do not ever belittle any good deed and be consistent in doing it. Because:

On the authority of Abu Dharr in a narration ascribed to the Prophet:

1) Smiling in your brothers face is charity (Sadaqah) for you,

2) when you enjoin the good and prohibit evil it is charity,

3) when you show directions to a man who has lost his way it is Sadaqah
for you.

4) Helping a weak-sighted (or blind) person by using your sight is charity

for you.

5) When you remove a rock, thorn and bones from the pathway it is
charity for you.

6) When you pour from your bucket into your brothers bucket it is
charity for you.
[Ref: Silsilah As-saheeha No. 572 , Sunan al-Tirmidhi (Vol. 4, Book 1, Hadith 1956)]

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This is Islam ! Be proud of it. Correct those Muslims who don't follow it and guide
non Muslims towards the true message of what Islam teaches via your actions.

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