Simple Deeds

The Prophet (pbuh) told us “Do not belittle any good deed, even meeting your brother with a cheerful face”. [Muslim]

How often have we heard this statement of the Prophet (pbuh)? But how many of us see the spirit behind this hadith and implement it in our everyday chores and activities?

The Prophet (pbuh) here advised us not to belittle something that is seemingly so simple- a cheerful face that requires no effort, to a person who could be a complete stranger. The Prophet (pbuh) was reminding us of something that we seem to have forgotten as Muslims- that Islam is to be lived even in the mundane.

Islam is in smiling at your fellow pedestrian as you walk down the street, in offering someone (not just an old or young person) your seat on the bus when you’re tired, and in buying a good meal that you yourself would eat for the homeless person on the street. It is in the please and the thank you, in holding open the door for others even when you are in a rush, and in holding back your anger when the person at the counter makes yet another mistake with your order. It is in being grateful that you can travel even when you’re stuck in traffic, in complimenting someone to make their day, and in calling up friends and family just to say hello. These simple acts can bring us closer to God.

We all have grand aspirations. And we should. The Prophet (pbuh) was a leader and a guide, and by the grace of Allah he changed the course of humanity in less than 25 years. But we must remember that the Prophet (pbuh) taught us how to be Muslims in all circumstances- when the young boy ‘Umayr’s pet bird died, the Prophet (pbuh) joked with him and played with him to make him forget about his loss. He helped his family with the chores. He worked with the companions (ra) to build his mosque. A young servant girl would take his hand and walk him through Madina and never once did he say “I am busy, I am the Messenger of Allah”.

We have to remember that this is Islam. And this is the example of the Prophet (pbuh). Before embarking on our daily journey today, let us take a moment to ask- what would the Prophet (pbuh) do?