a Chinese proverb once said,
When eating bamboo sprouts, remember the man who planted them
And I totally agree with it.
It is quite clear that this proverb was very much talking about the recipient of the good deeds, you agree? The recipient should always remember the person who had done the good things for them. This is called gratitude.
Just like how we should be thankful to our parents who had raised us up, teachers who taught us A-B and C to the ones who taught us wisdoms in life and friends who woke up middle of the night to listen to our songs of joys and sorrows relentlessly.
Of course we should always thank them for what they had done for us. In fact, Prophet Muhammad sallallahu ‘alaihi wassalam had asked us all to thank the favour done by others for us.
He (sallallahu ‘alaihi wassalam) said,
Whoever does you a favour, then reciprocate, and if you cannot find anything with which to reciprocate, then pray for him until you think that you have reciprocated him.
( Narrated by Abu Dawood )
So, yes, we should reciprocate equally. If we could not find a way to return the favour equally, then Prophet (sallallahu ‘alaihi wassalam) said that we should thank him by praying for goodness for this person, inshaAllaah.
But this is not the point in this story.
The point here is this- What if the ones who did the good deeds are the ones who reminded us of their own good deeds? What if they are the ones who constantly and repeatedly demanded that we should remember their deeds? What about the people who are given the responsibilities to perform those so-called-deeds and then, demanded that others thank them for doing their job and responsibilities?
It made me question their sincerity and honesty in performing those deeds.
I could not help but wondered if they knew the consequences of reminding others of their good deeds.
A hadeeth from our beloved Prophet Muhammad sallallahu ‘alaihi wassalam crossed my mind:
Muslim recorded that Abu Tharr, may Allaah be pleased with him, said that Allaah's Messenger (sallAllaahu `alayhi wa sallam) said:
There are three people that Allaah will not speak to on the Day of Judgement, will not look at them, will not purify them; and for them is a painful punishment: one who lets his Izar hang below his ankles, the Mannan with what he gives, and the Munffiq who does his business with false oaths.
(narrated by Muslim)
(A mannan is one who always remind others of the favours and good that he has done for them)
Our beloved Prophet Muhammad sallallahu ‘alaihi wassalam has said that Allaah would not speak to 3 types of people on the Day of Judgment.
He, the Al Mighty will not speak, will not look, will not purify and will punish these 3 types of people on the Day of Judgement.
And one of these 3 is the people who always reminded others of the favors and good they had done for them…
Astaghfirullaah, this very statement made my tummy squirmed.
Just look at what Allaah has said.
Isn’t it scary when the only One that could help us on that Day refused to not only speak; but He would not even to look at us?
Imagine Allaah turning away His face from us. Na’uzubillaah….
It felt bad enough if our parents, friends or even stranger turned their faces away when they saw us, right? What more if it was Allaah, our Creator, who turned His face?
Ya Allaah, I beg and seek protection from such behaviour.
I felt sad thinking of the deed-reminders. Do they know and are aware of the severity of their acts?
Don’t they remember that they are able to do all the good deeds just because of Allaah’s blessings on them? Don’t they feel that instead of asking human to thank them, they are the ones who should be thanking Allaah instead? Don’t they feel that instead of reminding their good deeds to others, they should remind themselves of the goodness in life and favours that Allaah has given them? Do they actually think that they could perform all their so-called good deeds without Allaah’s Permission? Don’t they, instead of being proud and announcing to the world their good deeds, be humble and make sincere prayers that Allaah accepts their good deeds as a preparation for their hereafter?
I wondered what are they actually looking for when doing good to others? Perhaps name and fame? Maybe honor and respect? What about recognition, credit or admiration? Could it be for appreciation and acknowledgement? Or possibly be for influence, control and power?
Astaghfirullaah, astaghfirullaah, astaghfirullaah…
Let me share with you this one powerful quote by Syeikh Muzeffar Ozak(from the book Wisdom from World Religions) for us all to think, reflect and ponder upon….
If someone gave you a beautiful, expensive new hat, wouldn’t you be grateful for the generous gift? But shouldn’t you be even more grateful for the One Who gave you the head to put that hat on.
Shouldn’t we, my brothers and sisters?
More importantly, shouldn’t they too?
Think about it…
