All the scholars of Islam – the jurists and others – have agreed that good deeds are one of the pillars of faith, and a witness to the integrity of Tawheed (monotheism), as there is no indication or sign that represents the meaning of the two Shahada’s (testimonies) in reality except for a person’s behaviour, morals, commitment and adherence to orders, and abstinence from evil and prohibitions.

Good deeds are a true witness to the stability of faith in the heart. Rather, it is one of the fruits of faith in Allah the Almighty, in His Messenger, and in the Last Day. That is why it is well known in a saying that is attributed to Al-Hasan Al-Basri R, where he says: “Faith is not by embellishment or wishful thinking, but it is what settles in the heart and is verified through your works.” Then he added: “whoever says good but does not do good will have his words judged by his deeds. Whoever says good and does good will have his words raised by his deeds. This is because Allah says:

إِلَيْهِ يَصْعَدُ ٱلْكَلِمُ ٱلطَّيِّبُ وَٱلْعَمَلُ ٱلصَّـٰلِحُ يَرْفَعُهُۥ

To Him ˹alone˺ good words ascend, and righteous deeds are raised up by Him [Al Fatir 35: 10]. This saying is famous in the books of religion related to the Islamic faith, and it symbolizes that apparent work is the reality of faith, for it is a pillar of faith, as well as a witness to it, a guide to it, rather it is considered the fruit of faith in reality.

TO LOVE FOR THE SAKE OF ALLAH

To have love for someone for the sake of Allah’s pleasure is also a grand act for which much merit and many rewards have been promised. ‘To love for the sake of Allah” means loving someone, not for any worldly gain, but because he is more religious and pious or he is very learned in Deen or is busy in serving the cause of Deen or because loving him or her is commanded by Allah, e.g. one’s parents. Such a love has been called “love for Allah” in the Ahadith.

One hadith says:

إن الله تعالى يقول يوم القيامة أين المتحابون بجلالي‏؟‏ اليوم أظلهم في ظلي يوم لا ظل إلا ظلي

Allah shall ask on the Day of Judgment, “Where are those who loved for the sake of My Glory? Today I shall shelter them in My Shade when there will be no shade except Mine”. [Muslim]

Another tells us that ‘On the Day of Judgment. Those who had mutual love for the sake of Allah’s Greatness shall be on pulpits of light and all shall envy them (Jami’ Tirmidhi, Kitab al Zuhd).

Abu Idris Khulani R, says that once he visited Muadh ibn Jabal RA in the mosque of Damascus and told him that “By Allah I love you for the sake of Allah”. He repeatedly asked me to swear if it was so and when I answered in the affirmative every time, he pulled me by my shawl and said ‘Hear the good news! I have heard the exalted and blessed Messenger of Allah ﷺ saying that ‘My love shall certainly be for those who love each other for my sake, who sit in each other’s company for my sake, who go to meet each other for my sake and spend money on each other for my sake.” (Muwatta Imam Malik, Kitab-al- Shirr).

Having love for Allah’s pious and good bondsmen is actually an outcome of one’s love for Allah, so it earns the same rewards and merits as the latter, because of this love. Allah includes His lover in His beloved people. According to a hadith, someone asked our blessed and exalted Prophet ﷺ “When shall come the Day of Judgment?” Our Prophet ﷺ replied “What preparation have you made for the Day?” The man said “Nothing, but I have love for Allah and for his Messenger”. The Prophet ﷺ said “You shall be (on that Day) with whom you love.” The above hadith has been quoted by Anas RA. He says that these words of the Holy Prophet ﷺ pleased us as nothing else had ever done. He further said “I have great love for the Holy Prophet ﷺ and with Abu Bakr and Umar, RA, and because of this love I hope I shall be in their company, even though my deeds arc not equal to theirs.” [Sahih Bukhari].

There are many Ahadith of the same import showing that having love for someone for the sake of Allah is an act of great merit, which grants one the opportunity of doing good in this world and being in exalted company in the Hereafter. Hence one should love good people for the sake of Allah and with the intent of becoming good oneself and earning Allah’s pleasure, as the poet says:

احب الصالحين و لست منهم، لعل الله يرزقني صلاحا

I love good people (and) although I am not one of them, may Allah grant me goodness too.