The Walking Dead
Who are these people? They are the ones whom Allah (swt) has blessed with bounties they cannot feel, realize, or share. On the contrary, there are other people, who are buried under the soil and yet continue to benefit the living. How come? Well, they left behind their good deeds that became a source of Sadaqah-e-Jariya for them until they meet their Rabb.
Look what Ibn Umar (rtam) says about a commendable life: “The most beloved of people to Allah (swt) are those who are most beneficial to others, and the most beloved of deeds to Allah (swt) is happiness that you bring to a fellow Muslim or that you relieve him of distress, or pay off his debt or expel from him hunger. For me, to walk with my Muslim brother in his time of need is dearer to me than secluding myself in worship within the Masjid for a month.” (Tabarani)
Sharing Opportunities
The Prophet (sa) taught his companions to serve others, be at their fellow Muslim’s aid, and consider it a great form of Ibadah just like offering Salah, observing Saum, or paying Zakah. His vision in life was never to build structures but the lives of God-fearing men and women, who could establish their Dunya and Akhirah and that of others.
He states: “At times, a person may ask me for a favour, to which I do not respond, so that one of you could intercede and thus earn reward.” (Nasai)
In the Limelight
We often think that goodness goes unnoticed and unrecognized; hence, we feel the urge to discontinue it and thus please only Shaitan. What we forget is that Allah (swt) is Ash-Shaheed (The Witness) and Ash-Shakoor (The Appreciative). He promises that the deeds worth even an atom’s weight will not be lost.
When Abu Bakr (rtam) was leaving Makkah due to the persecution against Muslims, a man by the name of Zaid b. Ad-Daghinna inquired: “Where are you going?” Abu Bakr (rtam) responded to him that he desired to live in a place on earth, where he could worship Allah (swt) freely. He said with disappointment: “A man like you, O Abu Bakr, must not leave nor should he ever be made to leave, for you keep good relations with your family, help the poor and the destitute, serve your guests generously and assist the deserving people, who have been afflicted with calamity.” (Bukhari)
A Means of Security
The Prophet (sa) said: “There are certain people, whom Allah (swt) chooses from amongst the masses to give them blessings, so that they can be at the assistance of others. Allah (swt) will keep such blessings with them as long as they continue using them to assist others. If they stop doing so, it is taken away from them and given to somebody else.” (Tabarani)
This may include wealth, respect in the community, good judgement, knowledge, free time, experience, and others.
Bear in mind that those people who are for the people have been selected by Allah (swt) from amongst the masses to be keys to goodness. The Prophet (sa) said: “With Allah (swt) are the stores for good and evil, and the keys to such stores are people. Thus, Paradise is for him, whom Allah (swt) makes a key to goodness and a lock to evil; and woe to him, whom Allah (swt) makes a key to evil and a lock to goodness.” (Abu Nuaim)
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