That compliment someone gave you that you still remember two years after; that person who held the door open when everyone else just rushed past you; the elderly man who offered your young child his seat . . . Sometimes the smallest acts have the biggest impact!

This week see how your small acts of kindness, by the will of Allah ‘azza wajal, can make someone else’s entire day and make you feel amazing yourself. How great is that? Get ready to boost yourself with some great examples of small acts of kindness to apply in your life instantly insha’Allah!

This week’s central ayah Allah ‘azza wajal tells us about the importance of small acts of kindness in Islam by warning about those who withhold them: Those who make show [of their deeds] And withhold [simple] assistance.  [Quran, 104:6-7]

What is ma’oon?

 Ma’oon can be described as an act of kindness so small it wouldn’t even harm you to do it. Allah ‘azza wajal sends a stern warning to those who can’t be bothered to do even the small acts of kindness that are very easy for them to do, let alone comply with the bigger types of charity like zakat and even sacrificing their person and wealth for Allah.

Kindness is beauty

Allah Al-Wadood, The Most-Loving, loves us to perform acts of kindness for others, no matter how big or small.  The Prophet salallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam said: Kindness is not to be found in anything but that it adds to its beauty and it is not withdrawn from anything but it makes it defective. [Al-Bukhaaree]

Herein lies a great productivity advice: kindness adds to the beauty of something while not being kind can make that same thing defective.

Doing small kind deeds has three great benefits:

A small investment of time and energy can bring huge rewards in this life and the next.
They can have a huge positive impact on someone’s life.
They make you feel better.
They’re also a great way to give a good example as a Muslim!

25 ways to be an everyday hero!

1.      “Like” the Facebook page of a small charity project to show your support.

2.       Look for opportunities to give compliments; they’re free, take no time, and could make someone’s entire day. Don’t just think it— say it.

3.       Make a little gift basket for a child in your neighbourhood. It will make them and their parents feel great.

4.       After a wedding or other celebration give the flowers to a nursing home. To see the impact of these small acts, personally deliver a flower to each resident.

5.       Send a weekly or monthly postcard to your cousins or other relatives. You’d be surprised how many people love to get mail.

6.       Send a text just to let someone know how much you care about them. How wonderful would it be to get that?

7.       Keep an extra umbrella at your workplace so you can lend it out when it rains.

8.       If you know someone is having a rough time, ask how they are. Sometimes we shy away from people in tough situations because we don’t want to intrude, but just ask how they’re doing. If they don’t want to talk, they’ll let you know. If you don’t ask they might never mention anything to you because they don’t want to burden you.

9.       Sincerely listen to someone. Don’t interrupt, and don’t suggest a solution. It’s very important and comforting just to be listened to. There’s a hadith in which the Prophet salallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam listens without interrupting to a very lengthy story from his wife Aishah radiyallahu ‘anha until she finishes her story.

10.    Compliment someone’s child. The parents will feel great too.

11.    Write a positive online review of a business you like; it makes a difference. Some companies say that over 50% of their business comes from online reviews.

12.    Learn the names of people— like the security guard, the person at reception, the staff in the shops you go to daily— and greet them by name and smile. It’s so easy and makes people happy. Of course be sure to observe hikmah (wisdom) and the etiquettes of hayaa (modesty).

13.    Pay for someone’s meal.

14.    Teach someone something, even if it’s teaching children to tie their shoelaces. This might become a beautiful memory of someone taking the time for them.

15.    Invite a single person you’re not very close to for dinner during the holidays.  (For some people these are difficult times to be alone.)

16.    Buy a small gift for someone. Just because. The Prophet salallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam said, Give each other gifts and you will love each other. [Al-Bukhaaree]

17.    Give a loved one a spontaneous hand-massage.

18.    Hold the lift for someone. Let someone go first in traffic or in the queue in the supermarket. Hold the door.

19.    If you print a discount-coupon on the internet before going to a store, print a few extra to give to other customers.

20.    Clean your neighbor’s porch.

21.    When you ask someone “Can I help?” also suggest specific ways in which you think you could help them. For example, if someone has just had a baby, you can say, “Can I drop a cooked meal off to you?” It shows you’re really thinking about them and makes it easier for them to say “yes.”

22.    Motivate others to pursue their ideas. Say, “I think that’s a great idea; may Allah ‘azza wajal make it possible. I will make dua for you.”

Involve the kids

23. There was a teacher who got her class to collectively perform 100 acts of kindness over a two-week period. The class recorded each act on a small heart and organized the hearts into a collage. This is a way to get your kids excited about acts of kindness as well and to introduce your kids to the great feeling that comes from doing good. You can do this with your children at home as well!

24. Make a couple of cards together with the kids once a month and have them pick a cause. For example cards for prisoners, get-well cards for a hospital, and “you are special” cards for the elderly.

25.    Last but not least: Allow someone to help you. Let them enjoy performing an act of kindness and gain reward.

Allah is Al-Lateef, The Subtle, and one of His ways is sending people to others to lift them up. May Allah ‘azza wajal make us of those who do small (and big) acts of kindness to others, ameen!

*To learn more about the Beautiful Name of Allah Al-Lateef, read: https://understandquran.com/and-the-answer-is-al-lateef.html

Praying you will benefit,

Khawlah bint Yahya~ United Kingdom

THE AYAH JOURNAL is dedicated to inspiring you to open the Qur’an every day, pick one ayah, and apply it to your own life by making acting on that ayah your mission for the day. Let’s bring back the message of the Qur’an to our daily lives! Check www.ayahjournal.com.