The Quran and other scriptures across different religions repeatedly ask us to do good deeds. We all have our general notions of what is it is to be or do good. In many ways, we know good deeds because we know good intentions. Each of us have a radar, a conscience, a feeling in our gut that tells us when we behave in a good manner and when we do not. Haven't you had a slight pang in your gut when you walked past the person trying to carry the large suitcase up the stairs? Or not given up your seat to someone needed it more? Or walked past without even acknowledging a homeless person? We may ignore it but it is there, silently trying to guide us in the right direction.
If you read the Quran, it repeatedly urges people to do good deeds and for a while I have asked, what are these good deeds? I kept thinking, why does the Quran not spell out what it means? As it turns out, of course it does! " Goodness does not consist in turning your face towards East or West. The truly good are those who believe in God and the Last Day, in the angels, the Scripture, and the prophets; who give away some of their wealth, however much they cherish it, to their relatives, to orphans, the needy, travellers and beggars, and to liberate those in bondage; those who keep up the prayers and pay the prescribed alms; who keep pledges whenever they make them; who are steadfast in misfortune, adversity, and times of danger." 2:177
First and foremost, I think it is important that the Quran mentions that it does not matter which direction you pray. That is to say that it doesn't matter what religion you belong to. Bearing in mind that at this point the Jews and Christians were praying towards Jerusalem and the Muslims were too until they were instructed to change and pray towards Mecca. Thus, the first line makes it clear, that goodness does not automatically result from what religion you belong to. Now if that is not the case, what is goodness?
It is those who believe in God and the last day. This is important because it means that those who do good deeds, have good intentions and realize that they are accountable for all their actions. The part with regards to believing in God points out the good actions that are for the sake of worldly gain, or the sake of recognition, status or for praises of others does not a good deed make. Good actions are for their own sake and for the sake of God alone, not for material gain in this world. The last day is about accountability for all action. So goodness is in doing good only for God's sake and not for worldly gain and remaining accountable for one's actions.
Belief in the angels, the Scripture and prophets draws our attention to the realm outside of the seen worldly realm. It also makes a point of unifying all the scriptures and prophets. Not only are we supposed to believe in the Quran but also other Scriptures that have come before it. Not only are we to believe in Muhammad (pbuh) but all prophets who have come throughout history. The aim here is to unify, to see the connections throughout time accept and all the knowledge we have received from God. To accept all of it wholeheartedly and not create a hierarchy.
The ayah, then goes into specific action with regards to goodness. In this, the first of all good action is giving. Giving of one's wealth to relatives, orphans, the needy, travellers, beggars and those in bondage (ie. slaves). Make note, there is no mention of giving only to other Muslims. Even though it starts off with those closest to you (ie. relatives), the instruction to give, is to give, it does not state any affiliation to a nation, religion or location. The final part in giving to liberate those from bondage, which is an important and over looked aspect of giving. During the revelation of the Quran there may have been bonded slaves as a part of the slave trade which this may be referring to. However, in today's day and age there is the bondage by credit card debt and sadly, not much in done to help those who are bonded by it.This overlooked part of giving needs a revival.
The second set of actions are keeping up prayers and paying the prescribed alms. Keeping up prayer is an aid to humility and in keeping mindful of God and our actions. Paying the prescribed alms goes back to giving, however, this is more compulsory and tax like in nature. There is also no specific recommendation in terms of who to give alms to unlike the last part specifying relative, orphans etc.
Next, the Quran identifies goodness with keeping pledges. To keep one's promises. It does not specify what promises, thus essentially it means any promises made. It is to make sure that our mouth and deeds are in synch. Keeping our pledges, make us accountable not only for our actions but our words. It also means that we are less likely to say things we do not mean out of spite or anger. Or make empty promises for worldly gains.
Finally, it states goodness as being steadfast in misfortune, adversity and times of danger. This is the anti-dote to the scaremongering attitude we see in the world often. Keeping calm and steady in the face of difficult situation is an act of goodness. It is also a test of faith. If we have faith in God, then what is there to fear or worry about. Misfortune or adversity should not therefore be not be a point of worry but a aid to strengthen our faith in the Almighty.
Thus, goodness does not come from simply being a part of a particular religious group or saying prayers in particular directions, it comes from our beliefs, motivations and actions. Our beliefs and motivations in the unifying and all encompassing nature of the world. Our actions in giving, praying and remaining true.
If you read the Quran, it repeatedly urges people to do good deeds and for a while I have asked, what are these good deeds? I kept thinking, why does the Quran not spell out what it means? As it turns out, of course it does! " Goodness does not consist in turning your face towards East or West. The truly good are those who believe in God and the Last Day, in the angels, the Scripture, and the prophets; who give away some of their wealth, however much they cherish it, to their relatives, to orphans, the needy, travellers and beggars, and to liberate those in bondage; those who keep up the prayers and pay the prescribed alms; who keep pledges whenever they make them; who are steadfast in misfortune, adversity, and times of danger." 2:177
First and foremost, I think it is important that the Quran mentions that it does not matter which direction you pray. That is to say that it doesn't matter what religion you belong to. Bearing in mind that at this point the Jews and Christians were praying towards Jerusalem and the Muslims were too until they were instructed to change and pray towards Mecca. Thus, the first line makes it clear, that goodness does not automatically result from what religion you belong to. Now if that is not the case, what is goodness?
It is those who believe in God and the last day. This is important because it means that those who do good deeds, have good intentions and realize that they are accountable for all their actions. The part with regards to believing in God points out the good actions that are for the sake of worldly gain, or the sake of recognition, status or for praises of others does not a good deed make. Good actions are for their own sake and for the sake of God alone, not for material gain in this world. The last day is about accountability for all action. So goodness is in doing good only for God's sake and not for worldly gain and remaining accountable for one's actions.
Belief in the angels, the Scripture and prophets draws our attention to the realm outside of the seen worldly realm. It also makes a point of unifying all the scriptures and prophets. Not only are we supposed to believe in the Quran but also other Scriptures that have come before it. Not only are we to believe in Muhammad (pbuh) but all prophets who have come throughout history. The aim here is to unify, to see the connections throughout time accept and all the knowledge we have received from God. To accept all of it wholeheartedly and not create a hierarchy.
The ayah, then goes into specific action with regards to goodness. In this, the first of all good action is giving. Giving of one's wealth to relatives, orphans, the needy, travellers, beggars and those in bondage (ie. slaves). Make note, there is no mention of giving only to other Muslims. Even though it starts off with those closest to you (ie. relatives), the instruction to give, is to give, it does not state any affiliation to a nation, religion or location. The final part in giving to liberate those from bondage, which is an important and over looked aspect of giving. During the revelation of the Quran there may have been bonded slaves as a part of the slave trade which this may be referring to. However, in today's day and age there is the bondage by credit card debt and sadly, not much in done to help those who are bonded by it.This overlooked part of giving needs a revival.
The second set of actions are keeping up prayers and paying the prescribed alms. Keeping up prayer is an aid to humility and in keeping mindful of God and our actions. Paying the prescribed alms goes back to giving, however, this is more compulsory and tax like in nature. There is also no specific recommendation in terms of who to give alms to unlike the last part specifying relative, orphans etc.
Next, the Quran identifies goodness with keeping pledges. To keep one's promises. It does not specify what promises, thus essentially it means any promises made. It is to make sure that our mouth and deeds are in synch. Keeping our pledges, make us accountable not only for our actions but our words. It also means that we are less likely to say things we do not mean out of spite or anger. Or make empty promises for worldly gains.
Finally, it states goodness as being steadfast in misfortune, adversity and times of danger. This is the anti-dote to the scaremongering attitude we see in the world often. Keeping calm and steady in the face of difficult situation is an act of goodness. It is also a test of faith. If we have faith in God, then what is there to fear or worry about. Misfortune or adversity should not therefore be not be a point of worry but a aid to strengthen our faith in the Almighty.
Thus, goodness does not come from simply being a part of a particular religious group or saying prayers in particular directions, it comes from our beliefs, motivations and actions. Our beliefs and motivations in the unifying and all encompassing nature of the world. Our actions in giving, praying and remaining true.
