Table of Contents:
Situation #1: You came clean with a defect in one of your products for which your customers appreciated you a ton
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 #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
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:
إنَّما يهدِي إلى أحسنِ الأخلاق: اللهُ، وإنّما يصرفُ مِن أسوَئها هُو
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 (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).]
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:
مَنْ نَصَرَ أَخَاهُ بِالْغَيْبِ نَصَرَهُ اللَّهُ فِي الدُّنْيَا وَالآخِرَةِ
“Whoever supports his brother in private, then Allah will support him in this life and in the Hereafter.”
[Ref: Mu`jam Al-Kabeer 14771]
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.]
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]
Allah also said:
“…who repress anger, and who pardon men; verily, Allah loves Al-Muhsinoon (the good‑doers).
[Ref: Qur'an 3:134]
The Messenger of Allah (sallalahu `alayhi wa sallam) said:
وإن امرؤ سبك بما يعلم فيك، فلا تسبه بما تعلم فيه، فإن أجره لك، ووباله على من قاله
"... 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]
مَنْ ضَارَّ ضَارَّ اللَّهُ بِهِ وَمَنْ شَاقَّ شَاقَّ اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ
Whoever (unjustly) harms others, then Allah will harm him. Whoever is 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 (ﷺ) 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 Ash’ariyoon [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.”
[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.
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
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:
'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).
[Ref: Tareekh ad-Dimishq Ibn `Asaakir . To see how our Prophet gave rights to women visit: http://whytheshariah.blogspot.com/search/label/Women%20in%20Islam]
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! [Ref: Abu Daawood]
Situation #18: You help someone who seemed confused at a government office regarding the Visa applying formalities
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]
Situation #19: An Officer helps you repair your broken down car
[Ref: Silsilah As-saheeha No. 572 , Sunan al-Tirmidhi (Vol. 4, Book 1, Hadith 1956)]
Great Work .. Ma sha Allah ..
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