We all have grown up to understand which deeds are bad and should not be encouraged. Islam has clearly stated the values for doing good deeds and actions and one such deed is to leave a bad deed for Allah’s sake. Islam has even given us chances to rectify our misdeeds that might be used to harm or hurt others. And if we end up refraining from any bad deed, we are bound to be rewarded. If we are trying to avoid bad deeds, this is taqwah and that is exactly what Allah wants from us. Having a taqwah in life is just like a person who is trying to protect himself from thorny bushes that will tear our clothes. Similarly, leaving bad deeds for Allah is evolving two sides. Firstly, we abandon everything that displeases Allah. Secondly, we try to protect ourselves and Amāl ( good deeds) from going to waste. Let’s dive into the article to know the bad deeds and how can leave them.
What Are the Bad Deeds?
In this ‘liberal’ era, many bad deeds are normalized such as smoking a cigarette or casually lying. Even mocking others and judging their ways of life have become increasingly popular. While we may not be saying anything to a person’s face, we talk about them behind their backs and end up thinking we have done no bad deed. Yes, we might not be actively trying to humiliate a person, but even talking about them behind their back is considered a bad deed and this is highly condemned in Islam. This matter is perfectly described in a hadith:
Abu Huraira reported Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) as saying:
“Do you know what is backbiting? They (the Companions) said: Allah and His Messenger know best. Thereupon he (the Holy Prophet) said: Backbiting implies your talking about your brother in a manner which he does not like. It was said to him: What is your opinion about this that if I actually find (that failing) in my brother which I made a mention of? He said: If (that failing) is actually found (in him) what you assert, you in fact backbited him, and if that is not in him it is a slander.” [1]
Even if we have witnessed a person acting sinfully, or doing a bad deed, we should stop them directly or pray for hidayah for them instead of talking about them behind their backs. If we cannot forgo such a deed then we are the condemned, as stated in this verse of the Holy Quran:
وَيْلٌۭ لِّكُلِّ هُمَزَةٍۢ لُّمَزَةٍ
“Woe to every backbiter, slanderer” [2]
There might be many sinful activities that we would be doing privately without any fear from Allah because we too have become very swept up by the norms of today’s world. But once we start noticing our everyday actions, we can see that there are many bad deeds engraved in our routine that we can leave for Allah. Lying is one of the best examples of this. To protect one lie, we would build a mountain of more lies. Instead, if we just tell the truth, we might be exempted from those lies and be rewarded for our truthfulness. Narrated Abu Huraira:
The Prophet (ﷺ) said, “Whoever does not give up false statements (i.e., telling lies), and evil deeds, and speaking bad words to others, Allah does not need his (fasting) leaving his food and drink.” [3]
This hadith shows that such bad deeds are the cause of the displeasure of Allah and we should not be indulging ourselves to do these. If we are not following guidelines given by Allah (SWT), we are becoming sinners, and without seeking repentance, we cannot be forgiven. Instead, we are sowing the seeds of deceptions that will shape our coming generations to be deceitful liars.
One hadith has perfectly portrayed how good and bad deeds can influence the foundations of a person through whom family and society thrive on.
Mu’awiyah bin Abu Sufyan said:
“I heard the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) say: ‘Deeds are like vessels. If the lower part is good then the upper part will be good, and if the lower part is bad then the upper part will be bad.’” [4]
At the end of the day, we know that the good is ever-prevailing because Allah (SWT) has promised the victory of good despite hardships. We must clearly understand that bad deeds are also counted as sins. And sins invoke the displeasure of Allah. It was narrated from Abu Dharr that the Prophet (ﷺ) said:
“My nation was shown to me with their good deeds and bad deeds. Among their good deeds, I saw a harmful thing being removed from the road. And among their bad deeds, I saw sputum in the mosque that had not been removed.” [5]
This hadith describes the idea that good deeds are as easy as smiling. And similarly, bad deeds are the acts of an arrogant person who has not found it in his heart to be kind enough to do a good deed. And we know that arrogance is a trait that is greatly disliked by Allah. So we should always try to become better in our routines and our daily lives by leaving bad deeds so that we can earn Allah’s pleasure. One such verse in the Holy Quran mentions the demise of bad deeds that can also be understood as falsehood:
وَقُلْ جَآءَ ٱلْحَقُّ وَزَهَقَ ٱلْبَـٰطِلُ ۚ إِنَّ ٱلْبَـٰطِلَ كَانَ زَهُوقًۭا
“And declare, “The truth has come, and falsehood has vanished. Indeed, falsehood is bound to vanish.” [6]
How Can We Leave Bad Deeds?
One can never outgrow a habit or forgo a bad deed overnight. It is an everyday struggle to be of those who do good deeds and resist the urge to do a bad deed. There are multiple ways where we can decrease our bad deeds and become those who try to do well and right in our everyday lives. It is crucial to understand that leaving bad deeds for Allah’s sake does not guarantee that one is immune to temptation or is perfect. It is normal to occasionally feel seduced. But what counts is how a person responds in that instance. Our love for Allah should be greater than our will to do bad deeds. That is how we can forego bad deeds. Narrated Ibn Abbas:
The Prophet (ﷺ) narrated about his Lord and said, “Allah ordered (the appointed angels over you) that the good and the bad deeds be written, and He then showed (the way) how (to write). If somebody intends to do a good deed and he does not do it, then Allah will write for him a full good deed (in his account with Him); and if he intends to do a good deed and did it, then Allah will write for him (in his account) with Him (its reward equal) from ten to seven hundred times to many more times: and if somebody intended to do a bad deed and he does not do it, then Allah will write a full good deed (in his account) with Him, and if he intended to do it (a bad deed) and did it, then Allah will write one bad deed (in his account).” [7]
This hadith highlights that even if one thinks of doing a bad deed, fearing the displeasure of Allah and not acting upon it is also considered rewarding. And if we start to practice our lives in a manner that Islam has taught us, automatically our bad deeds will decrease.
We should make a point to seek guidance and search for answers to any questions we have through the book of Allah and the Sunnah of the Holy Prophet (PBUH). That way, we can easily overcome any temptation and refrain from any bad deeds. Narrated Abu Huraira:
‘Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) said, “If any one of you improve (follows strictly) his Islamic religion then his good deeds will be rewarded ten times to seven hundred times for each good deed and a bad deed will be recorded as it is.”’ [8] This hadith tells us that even if we end up doing a bad deed, we should not give up trying to leave it. We should always try and do better and seek the forgiveness of Allah so that we can please Him and earn rewards in this life and the afterlife.
Conclusion
In conclusion, leaving a bad deed for the sake of Allah is a highly valued concept in Islam. It includes avoiding anything prohibited and wrongful out of a need to please Allah and receive His rewards. To satisfy Allah and receive blessings in this life as well as the next, we should always strive to improve and ask for His mercy.
Leaving a bad deed is rewarding is a part of an amazing series of content. For more, you are very much encouraged to follow our whole series Time to Revive where we discuss the forgotten Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad Peace be Upon Him, and try to revive them by considering most of the perspectives of the modern world. Reading them and making them a habit is now your choice.
By Joweria Shahid
References
- Sahih Muslim 2589: Book 45, Hadith 91
- Al-Quran (Surah Al-Humazah 104:1)
- Sahih al-Bukhari 6057: Book 78, Hadith 87
- Sunan Ibn Majah 4199: Book 37, Hadith 100
- Sunan Ibn Majah 3683: Book 33, Hadith 27
- Al-Quran (Surah Isra, 17:81)
- Sahih al-Bukhari 42: Book 2, Hadith 35
Sahih al-Bukhari 42: Book 2, Hadith 35
