Cultivating Good Character: A Personal Commitment to Serve

Religion is our foundation; faith (akidah) is our guide. Attitude shapes our actions, repeated actions become habits, and culture completes this cycle, embedding attitude and habit into our daily lives.

I’ve chosen to be an activist, dedicating myself to voluntary work. My involvement is selfless, I seek no personal gain. I invest my own money, time, energy, knowledge, and experience without expecting any reward or recognition.

In this spirit, I offer 10 things as my contribution to society:

• Money
• Energy
• Knowledge
• Ideas
• Skills
• Expertise
• Experience
• Success
• Personal effort
• Collective endeavor

To me, these offerings reflect the essence of religion.

We observe the five pillars of Islam, Shahadah, Prayer, Zakat, Fasting, and Hajj. These acts of worship bring no benefit to Allah, they are for our own good. Although we are promised rewards for our deeds, we cannot see, touch, or measure the weight of these rewards or the sins we commit.

The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) was sent to perfect human character, serving as an example for all of humanity. His character was a reflection of the Quran, a guide for us to follow.

Our actions carry weight in the form of rewards and sins, even though we may not see or feel them. This is akin to not seeing our face’s cleanliness until we look in a mirror. Just as we cleanse our face upon noticing dirt, we should regularly self-reflect (muhasabah) to cleanse our soul from flaws. This daily self-reflection helps us recognise our weaknesses and mistakes, guiding us to continuously improve.

What about sins against Allah? He is Most Merciful and Forgiving, always open to granting us pardon. When it comes to sins against others, we are instructed to seek their forgiveness. For the sins we commit against animals, we are encouraged to give charity. And for those unaware of their sins, it is our duty to offer advice with patience. Religion is about giving and receiving sincere advice.

When someone offers advice, it’s not out of hatred but compassion. If we reject advice, it means we lack guidance (hidayah) and are at risk of persisting in wrongdoing. We must also pray for Allah to bear our sins towards others, for nothing is impossible for Him.

Allah loves those who ask of Him, and there is no limit to His generosity. He even provides opportunities for us to fulfill the fifth pillar of Islam, Hajj and Umrah. Performing Umrah in Ramadan is equivalent to performing seven Umrahs in other months or one Hajj. We also gain a hundred thousand times the reward for worship in the Holy Land, along with the chance to experience the Night of Decree (Lailatul Qadr), which offers the reward of a thousand months.

But while rewards and sins are invisible to us, we must be mindful of our actions. The mirror for our deeds is our character. The worst character is to reject Allah through disbelief or shirk, followed by a life of sin. The best character is that of those who are righteous, obedient to Allah’s commands, and actively engaged in good deeds, especially charity.

I have chosen the 10 contributions above to benefit others, believing that the best human beings are those who bring benefit to others through sincere service, seeking only Allah’s pleasure. Beyond obligatory acts, the best deeds are those of charity. The 10 I mentioned are forms of charity, with money being the easiest, energy requiring sacrifice, knowledge being the best, and time the most valuable.

Allah does not count our success or failure, that is His decree. What matters is our sincerity, prayers, efforts, and acceptance of His will. Patience in trials and gratitude for His blessings are crucial. Allah reminds us to pursue success in the hereafter and the everlasting joy of Paradise, but also not to forget the blessings He has provided for us in this world.

May we find a balance in our relationship with Allah (habl min Allah) and with people (habl min an-nas). These are two sides of the same coin, each carrying 50% weight.

The greatest blessings from Allah are guidance (hidayah) and faith (Iman). With these, we can communicate with Him endlessly through prayer. Prayer is our direct connection to Allah, affirming His greatness and our testimony of faith (Shahadah) multiple times a day to ensure we remain within Islam.

Charity, including the 10 contributions I mentioned, is our capital to benefit others, and through it, we hope to earn rewards for the hereafter. Allah says in the Quran that when death approaches, people will ask for a delay so they can give in charity, but the time for death is set.

I am not an Islamic scholar, just sharing my thoughts. I often write to cultivate good habits and attitudes. Wallahu a’lam (Allah knows best).

Responsibility stems from duty, and results come from accountability. The Prophet never shied away from any duty or responsibility, even when it endangered his own life, including the moment he accepted the death of his own son.