by Sheikh `Aaidh ibn Abdullah al-Qarni
from “Don’t Be Sad” – International Islamic Publishing House (IIPH)

One day, I was sitting in the Haram in Makkah; it was a sultry day and the noon prayer was about to begin, when I noticed an old man distributing Zamzam water. He would fill a few cups, give them out to people and then he would return and repeat the process. He continued doing so for some time until he became soaked in sweat. I was amazed at the fortitude of this old man and at his love for doing kind deeds. He would give a smile and a cup of water to as many people s he was able to serve. It made me appreciate that, if Allah guides one to doing a good deed, one will be able to do it with a smile, even when it involves hard work.

Abu Bakr (radhiallahu `anhu) put his own life at risk on the road to Madeenah in order to protect the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam).

In order to feed his guests, Hatim (radhiallahu `anhu) would sleep on a hungry stomach.

Abu `Ubaydah (radhiallahu `anhu) would stand guard at night to give rest to the Muslim army.

`Umar (radhiallahu `anhu) would walk through the streets at night while people were asleep in order to ensure their safety. And in the year of the great famine, he would go hungry in order to feed the people.

Abu Talha (radhiallahu `anhu) used his body as a shield, protecting the Prophet (sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam) from arrows during the Battle of Uhud.

Ibn Mubarak would distribute food while he himself was fasting.

“And they give food in spite of their love for it (or for the love of Him), to the Miskeen (poor), the orphan and the captive.” (Qur’an 76:8)

Allah says,
“Say: ‘If your fathers or your sons or your brothers or your wives or your tribe,
or any wealth you have acquired, or any business you fear may slump,
or any dwelling-places which please you,
are dearer to you than Allah and His Messenger and fighting hard in jihad in His Way,
then wait until Allah brings about His command.'”
(at-Tawba 9:25)

When the Makkans drove Zayd ibn ad-Dathima out of the Haram to kill him, Abu Sufyan ibn Harb said to him, “I ask you by Allah, Zayd, don’t you wish that Muhammad were with us now to take your place so that we could cut off his head, and you were with your family?” Zayd said, “By Allah, I would not wish Muhammad to be now in a place where even a thorn could hurt him if that was the condition for my being with my family!” Abu Sufyan remarked, “I have not seen any people who love anyone the way the Companions of Muhammad love Muhammad.”

Anas radhiallahu `anhu reported that the Prophet sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam said, “There are three things which cause anyone who takes refuge in them to experience the sweetness of iman – that Allah and His Messenger are more beloved to him than anything else; that he loves a man only for Allah; and that he dislikes the thought of reverting to disbelief as much as he would dislike being cast into the Fire.” (al-Bukhari & Muslim)

`Umar ibn al-Khattab radhiallahu `anhu told the Prophet sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam, “I love you more than anything except my soul which is between my two sides.” The Prophet sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam replied, “None of you will believe until I am dearer to him than his own soul.” ‘Umar said, “By the One who sent down the Book on you, I love you more than my soul which is between my two sides.” The Prophet said, “‘Umar, now you have it!” (al-Bukhari)

Anas said that a man came to the Prophet sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam and asked, “When will the Last Hour come, Messenger of Allah?” , “What have you prepared for it?” he asked? He replied, “I have not prepared a lot of prayer or fasting or charity for it, but I love Allah and His Messenger.” The Prophet sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam said, “You will be with the one you love.” (al-Bukhari)

‘Ali said that the Prophet sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam took Hasan and Husayn radhiallahu `anhuma by the hand and said, “Whoever loves me and loves these two and their father and mother will have the same degree as me on the Day of Rising.” (at-Tirmidhi)

It is related that a man came to the Prophet sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam and said, “Messenger of Allah, I love you more than my family and my possessions. I remember you and I cannot wait until I can come and look at you. I remember that I will die and you will die and I know that when you enter the Garden, you will be raised up with the Prophets. When I enter it, I will not see you.” Allah then revealed, “Whoever obeys Allah and the Messenger, will be with those whom Allah has blessed: the Prophets, the men of truth, the martyrs and the righteous. And such people are the best of company!” (an-Nisaa 4:68) The Prophet sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam called the man and recited the verses to him. (at-Tabarani)

Abu Hurayra radhiallahu `anhu said that the Messenger of Allah sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam said, “Those in my community with the strongest love for me are the people who will come after me. Some of them would give their family and wealth to have seen me.” (Muslim and al-Bukhari)