Seven groups of people will receive an enormous reward for the small acts of worship they did in this life; these people will be in comfort on the hardest day ever, while others are anxiously sweating in the heat of the low-hanging sun.
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said:
Allah will give shade to seven on the Day when there will be no shade but His. A just ruler; a youth who grew up in the worship of Allah, the Mighty and Majestic; a man whose heart is attached to the mosques; two men who love each other for Allah’s sake, meeting for that and parting upon that; a man who is called by a woman of beauty and position [for illegal intercourse], but he says: ‘I fear Allah’, a man who gives in charity and hides it, such that his left hand does not know what his right hand gives in charity; and a man who remembered Allah in private and so his eyes shed tears. (Al-Bukhari and Muslim)
Let’s translate each of the seven to a practical tip to apply to your daily life:
1- Rule Justly
You are probably not ruling a country, but you most likely have authority in some kind of way over others, like your spouse, your children, or even at work or in a group you volunteer for. Keep reminding yourself to be just, even in the smallest matters. It’s easy to look down, fall out or take advantage of someone in a ‘lower’ position than you, don’t let Satan trick you into it. An example is taking anger out on your children.
Action:
Ask Allah Almighty to guide you in dealing justly with others, even when you don’t like them. Next time when you showed ‘oppressive’ behavior, immediately repent sincerely, say ‘astaghfirullah’ and apologize to the person.
Motivation:
Allah Al-Hakeem, The All-Wise, says:
Do not let hatred cause you to act unjustly, that is nearer to piety. (Quran, 5:8)
2- Worship in Your Youth
How many say: ‘I will wear hijab or I will start praying when I’m older’? The media tempts you saying: You are only young once! This is the phase of your life in which Satan works hardest to transform your energy for action into bad deeds.
Action:
Get into action for the Deen! Tell yourself that from now you will at least spend one hour a week on a good deed for others, no excuse policy. Look locally where help is needed, whether it is getting groceries for someone in need, offer others a ride to a lecture, writing a letter to a Muslim prisoner, you name it.
Motivation:
Take advantage of five matters before five other matters: your youth before you become old… (Ahmad)
3- Love the Mosque
Is the masjid a place your turn up just for taraweeh in Ramadan, do you feel like a ‘visitor’ when you go to the mosque? It’s time to realize and teach our children to feel responsible for your local mosque!
Action:
Next time you go the mosque, tidy up any wrappers etc you see and put all the Quran copies and books nicely in the cupboard, if you have children, do it all together.
Motivation:
The Prophet said:
Whosoever removes anything repulsive or harmful from the masjid, Allah will make a house for him in Jannah. (Ibn majah)
4- Love Others for His Sake
Is there anyone in your life now you just love for their emaan? Loving another for His sake and not because they look good or benefit you in material things is the most productive love, because it brings you many rewards!
Action:
Send out a text, Whatsapp or even Facebook message to all those you love for their faith, and simply say: “I love you for the sake of Allah” (uhibuk fillaah)!
Motivation:
A man was passing by and a man sitting with the Prophet said:
‘O Messenger of Allah, I love this man.’
The Messenger of Allah said to him:
‘Have you informed him?’
He said:
‘No.’
He said:
‘Inform him.’
So he caught up with him and said:
‘I love you for the sake of Allah.’
He said, ‘May the One for whom you love me [Allah] love you. (Sunan Abi Dawud)
5- Fear Him When Tempted
Especially in these times of social media it becomes easy for brothers to approach sisters and vice versa to whom they wouldn’t have access to in real life.
Action:
When you get a message or are approached and feel tempted, say ‘I fear Allah’ (both men and women!), also say ‘a’oodhu billaahi minash-shaytaanir-rajeem’ when you feel tempted in approaching someone else the wrong way.
Motivation:
And as for him who feared standing before his Lord and restrained himself from impure evil desires, verily Paradise will be his abode. (Quran, 79:40-41)
6- Give Secret Charity
Sometimes it’s good to give charity in public, for example to motivate others to give too. However, there’s a special sweetness you feel when you give charity in complete privacy.
Action:
Once a week give something in charity, whether it is money or your time, without anyone knowing. Absolutely no one. Every week change the cause.
Motivation:
If you disclose your charitable expenditures, they are good; but if you conceal them and give them to the poor, it is better for you, and He will remove from you some of your misdeeds . And Allah , with what you do, is Acquainted. (Quran, 2:271)
7- Cry for Him in Private
When was the last time you sat alone and cried for your sins, your blessings, your love and your fear for Allah?
Action:
At least once a week, at night, take ten minutes to close your eyes and to turn to Allah. Think about His Greatness, how He blessed you that week, the sins you committed that week and open your heart. Do this for 30 days and then increase these ‘self-reflection’ sessions until you can do this every night.
Motivation:
The Prophet said:
Two eyes will not be touched by the fire, an eye that cried from the fear of Allah, and an eye that stayed awake guarding for the sake of Allah. (At-Tirmidhi)
Homework:
If you ask Allah, then ask him the Firdaws (the Highest Jannah), for it is in the middle highest point of Paradise, and above it is the Throne of the Most Merciful, and from it burst the rivers of Paradise. (Al-Bukhari, Ibn Majah)
So if you ask, ask for the best!
Source: Understand Quran.