Allah says: “To those who do good is a goodly reward – even more (than in measure)!” [Sūrah Yūnus: 26] In this verse, the goodly reward is Paradise and what is more is the pleasure that the denizens of Paradise will have in gazing upon the countenance of the Lord. [Sahīh Muslim (181)] Allah is the Giver of Good (al-Muhsin). This name was mentioned by Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) when he said: “Allah is the Giver of Good, and He loves those who exhibit goodness.” [Mu`jam al-Tabarānī al-Awsat (5735) and al-Silsilah al-Sahīhah (469)] Though the wording “the Giver of Good” does not appear in the Qur’an as a name, its meaning appears as a description of Allah’s actions. For instance, Allah says, relating the words of Joseph (peace be upon him): “He has indeed been good to me when He took me out of prison and brought you all here out of the desert.” [Sūrah Yūsuf: 100] Allah has shown goodness to us by bringing us into existence from nothingness and then conferring upon us our human dignity. Allah says: “Had there not been a time when the human being was not a thing to be mentioned?” [Sūrah al-Insān: 1] Allah has shown goodness to us by creating humanity in the best of forms: “It is Allah Who has made for you the earth as a resting place, and the sky as a canopy, and has given you shape, and made your shapes beautiful, and has provided for you sustenance, of things pure and good. Such is Allah, your Lord. So glory be to Allah, the Lord of the Worlds!” [Sūrah Ghāfir: 64] Furthermore, He has blessed us with the faculty of reason which sets us apart from other creatures. Allah says: “Lo! We have shown him the way, whether he be grateful or disbelieving.” [Sūrah al-Insān: 3] He likewise says: “Have We not given him two eyes, and a tongue and two lips, and shown Him the two ways?” [Sūrah al-Balad: 8-10] And: “Allah brought you forth from the wombs of your mothers knowing nothing, and gave you hearing and sight and hearts that perhaps you might give thanks.” [Sūrah al-Nahl: 78] Allah has given humanity the greatest good in guiding them to Islam and in preserving the Qur’an from loss and corruption. Allah says: “Say: ‘In the bounty of Allah. And in His Mercy – in that let them rejoice’.” [Sūrah Yūnus: 58] Ibn `Abbās, the Prophet’s eminent Companion, said that this verse refers to the Qur’an. It is from Allah’s goodness to humanity that He has made the Earth an abode for them, made them its masters, and provided for them all manner of good things. As Allah is the Giver of Good, He loves for us to exhibit goodness. Allah says: “Allah does not waste the reward of those who do good.” [Sūrah al-Tawbah: 120] Allah also says: “He it is who created death and life to try you as to which of you will be best in deeds.” [Sūrah al-Mulk: 2] This verse shows us that we are not being judged simply by the amount of deeds that we do. What matters most is the goodness of those deeds.
Posted on: Tue, 06 Aug 2013 23:18:35 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015