Islam promotes morality and goodness in its followers. It is a clear guidance for the entire world population. The Religion of Peace comprises of two main sources of supervision.
- Quran Majeed
- Sunnah of the Holy Prophet (PBUH)
Both of them instruct the believers to adopt righteousness and abstain from wrongdoings. Abu Hurrairah (R.A) narrated the Holy Prophets’ saying as:
“Hasten to do good deeds before you are overtaken by one of the seven afflictions.” Then he said, “Are you waiting for such poverty which will make you unmindful of devotion; or prosperity which will make you corrupt, or disease as will disable you, or such senility as will make you mentally unstable, or sudden death, or Ad-Dajjal who is the worst expected absent, or the Hour and the Hour will be most grievous and most bitter”.
It means one should enthusiastically opt for performing noble actions without any delay as there might be lack of willingness with passage of time for one reason or another. But there is also a great deal of emphasis not publicizing either of the deeds when committed. Making sins not known to others is easily understood but keeping one`s good acts also secret is somewhat not realized by many. It is stated in Quran that those who spend their wealth in the way of Allah and then do not follow up what they have spent with reminders [of it] or [other] injury will have their reward with their Lord, and there will be no fear concerning them, nor will they grieve.
This Ayah tells that while carrying out dignified deeds like Zakat one should not announce it to the masses because it leads to decrease in Ajar (Good Return). Those who act like this are highly beloved near the Almighty Lord Who has kept their recompense with Him from whom they will greatly benefit eventually. In Islam, there is a straightforward instruction about keeping one`s purpose of carrying out every action clear. One must have comprehensible idea of why it is performing a certain act and for whom. One of the many Hadiths of Holy Prophet (PBUH) indicates that every deed comes with an outcome as a result of a certain intention that one has before and while performing it. Therefore, every believer must have clear conscious of carrying out noble actions for sake of Allah`s pleasure alone.
Secrecy of Righteous Deeds: Salah is made obligatory upon all the Muslims five times a day with strict timing in the mosque. However, there are some non compulsory prayers which are purely Prophetic Traditions. For this matter, Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH) has advised the believers to accomplish them privately at their homes as he, Himself used to pray. The Messenger of God has regarded the non obligatory prayer which is carried out alone better which is of course not the case in mandatory Salah. It serves as a great means of saving one from showing off in religious matters. Moreover, it also helps in developing a good environment within house. As stated in Quran:
“O people! Pray in your homes, for truly the best prayers are those that a person prays at home, with the exception of the prescribed prayers.”