The best righteous deeds

⦁ The best righteous deeds

Question
Assalamu alaikum. I would like to know what deeds are considered the most rewarding in the sight of Allah, for e.g. I know that Jihad and seeking knowledge are some. I would like to know what the deeds are in order or rewards, something similar to what is in "Al-Kabair" by Imam Dhahabi, where he lists sins in order of seriousness. JazakAllah khayr.

Answer

Praise be to Allah.

Shaykh al-Shanqeeti said:
What is meant in the aayah
“…who do righteous deeds…”
[al-Kahf 18:2 – interpretation of the meaning]
is explained in other aayahs which indicate that a deed cannot be righteous unless it meets three conditions:
1 – It must be done in accordance with that which was brought by the Prophet SAWS (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him). Every action that goes against that which was brought by the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) is not righteous, rather it is false. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):
“And whatsoever the Messenger (Muhammad) gives you, take it”
[al-Hashr 59:7]
“He who obeys the Messenger (Muhammad), has indeed obeyed Allaah”
[al-Nisa’ 4:10]
“Or have they partners with Allaah (false gods) who have instituted for them a religion which Allaah has not ordained?”
[al-Shoora 42:21]
and there are many similar aayahs.
2 – The one who does it must be sincere in his intention towards Allaah. Allaah says (interpretation of the meanings):
“And they were commanded not, but that they should worship Allaah, and worship none but Him Alone (abstaining from ascribing partners to Him)”
[al-Bayyinah :5]
“Say (O Muhammad): ‘Verily, I am commanded to worship Allaah (Alone) by obeying Him and doing religious deeds sincerely for His sake only.
And I am commanded (this) in order that I may be the first of those who submit themselves to Allaah (in Islam) as Muslims.’
Say (O Muhammad): ‘Verily, if I disobey my Lord, I am afraid of the torment of a great Day.’
Say (O Muhammad): ‘Allaah Alone I worship by doing religious deeds sincerely for His sake only (and not to show off, and not to set up rivals with Him in worship).’
So worship what you like besides Him’”
[al-Zumar 39:11-15]
and there are many similar aayahs.
3 – It must be done on the basis of faith and sound belief, because the action is the roof and the belief (‘aqeedah) is the foundation. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):
“Whoever works righteousness — whether male or female — while he (or she) is a true believer…”
[al-Nahl 16:97]
So faith is described as the prerequisite for that.
The concept of this prerequisite is explained in many places, such as when Allaah describes the actions of non-believers:
“And We shall turn to whatever deeds they (disbelievers, polytheists, sinners) did, and We shall make such deeds as scattered floating particles of dust”
[al-Furqaan 25:23]
“their [disbelievers’] deeds are like a mirage in a desert”
[al-Noor 24:39]
“their [disbelievers’]works are as ashes, on which the wind blows furiously on a stormy day”
[Ibraaheem 14:18]
and there are many similar aayahs as explained above.

Source:Reference Link

All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad   is His slave and Messenger.

 

There are many acts of good deeds and it is not possible to mention them all in this Fatwa, let alone mentioning them in order.

The excellence of righteous deeds differ from one person to another. For some people, acquiring knowledge and teaching it to others is better for them than Jihaad (fighting for the Cause of Allaah), but for some people, Jihaad is better for them.

In general, we say that the religious obligations are the best acts of worship and they come at the top of acts of obedience to Allaah, as per the narration: “My Slave does not come closer to me by performing any act of worship more than he does by performing what I obliged him to do.” [Al-Bukhari]

The best of these deeds after believing in the Oneness of Allaah is the prayer. The five obligatory prayers are the best deeds, and whoever is steadfast on them and performs them at their prescribed fixed times as Allaah ordered him to do, Allaah promised that He will admit him to Paradise. Then comes the other pillars of Islam, Zakat, fasting and Hajj; then being kind and dutiful to the parents, keeping ties with kinship, and being kind to the neighbour, orphans, the poor, and so forth.

After the religious obligations comes the supererogatory acts of worship, but the acts of worship by which one benefits others are better than those of individual benefit. A Prophetic narration reads: “The most beloved people to Allaah are those who are most beneficial to the people, and the most beloved acts of worship to Allaah is a happiness which you bring to a Muslim, or you take him out of a difficulty, or you pay off his debt, or you feed him when he is hungry, and were I to go with a Muslim brother to achieve his need, is more beloved to me than performing I'tikaaf in my mosque for a whole month…”[At-Tabaraani]

Similarly, being concerned with the acts of worship that are due at the present time is better than performing any other acts of worship; for instance repeating the words of the Athaan when the Athaan is being called is better than being preoccupied by other forms of the mention of Allaah.

Allaah Knows best.

Source:Reference Link

question
Who are those meant by the verse: "... those who believed (A'manoo) and did righteous deeds (Wa Amelo as-Saleehat) will prosper..." what kind of righteous deeds does the verse refer to? And what did they believe in?

Answer

Praise be to Allah, the Lord of the Worlds; and blessings and peace be upon our Prophet Muhammad and upon all his Family and Companions. "When Allah Says in Qur'an" those who believe in Allah and "do righteous good deeds" that means those people who embrace Islam, witness that there is nothing that deserves worship other than Allah Alone, He does not have any partner and the Prophet Muhammad (Peace and blessing be upon him) is His Messenger. Such people also "do righteous good deeds", i.e. follow the Commands of Allah and His Prophet, and avoid what is forbidden in Shariah. Whoever follows this path Allah will Honour him by admitting him to His Paradise and rescuing him from Hell. Allah Says (interpretation of meaning): {Verily, those who believe [in the Oneness of Allâh along with the six articles of Faith, i.e. to believe in Allâh, His Angels, His Books, His Messengers, Day of Resurrection, and Al-Qadar (Divine Pre ordainments) - Islâmic Monotheism], and do deeds of righteousness, their Lord will guide them through their Faith; under them will flow rivers in the Gardens of delight (Paradise). Their way of request therein will be Subhânaka Allâhumma (Glory to You, O Allâh!) and Salâm (peace, safe from each and every evil) will be their greetings therein (Paradise)! and the close of their request will be: Al-Hamdu Lillâhi Rabbil-'Alamîn [All the praises and thanks are to Allâh, the Lord of 'Alamîn (mankind, jinns and all that exists)].} [10:9-10] Allah also Says (interpretation of meaning): {"Verily! Those who believe (in the Oneness of Allâh Islâmic Monotheism) and do righteous deeds, shall have the Gardens of Al-Firdaus (the Paradise) for their entertainment. "Wherein they shall dwell (forever). No desire will they have to be removed therefrom."} [18:107-108] There are many righteous deeds; for instance fulfilling all the obligations imposed by Allah such as performing prayers, giving Zakah, fasting during the month of Ramadan, performing Hajj, avoiding evils like adultery/fornication, using drugs and intoxicants, being involved in witchery, killing others, lying and many more things mentioned in Qur'an and Sunnah.

In addition to these obligations, there are many desirable acts, which are also considered among good deeds. Examples of such acts are the supererogatory prayers, late night prayer, fasting every Monday, Thursday and three days during every month, reciting Qur'an, making charity, continuously remembering Allah and invoking blessings upon the Prophet Muhammad (Peace and blessing be upon him). Know that belief increases through good deeds and decrease through bad deeds. Their belief is that Allah is their Lord, Islam is their religion and Muhammad (Peace and blessing be upon him) is their Prophet. There are six integral parts of Iman that every Muslim must believe; they are as follow: 1. Belief in Allah, 2. In His Angels, 3. In His revealed Books, 4. In His Messengers and the Muhammad (Peace and blessing be upon him) was the Last Prophet, 5. In the Last Day, 6. In Divine Decree. The Prophet Muhammad (Peace and blessing be upon him) mentioned all the above six elements when he was asked about Iman. He replied: "You affirm your faith in Allah, in His Angels, in His Books, in His Apostles, in the Day of Judgement, and you affirm your faith in the Divine Decree about good and evil". [Reported by Imam Bukhari] Whoever fulfills the above conditions He is promised the Paradise of Allah and who does not do so surely will enter the Hell. Allah knows best.

Source:Reference Link/