He Never Belittles Virtue, However Little

He Never Belittles Virtue, However Little

In a Modern World, the rare pursuit of virtue is often dwarfed by exhibitory gestures or seasonal acts of devotion. Instead, the spiritual man remains ever vigilant, seizing every opportunity for good action, no matter how small or seemingly insignificant.

His eyes are constantly seeking virtue, understanding that his salvation may hinge on these very moments. He prioritises quality and consistency over rare quantity, recognising that a life dedicated to continuous, sincere devotion, both inwardly and outwardly, is far more valuable than sporadic displays or bursts of piety.

The Prophet ﷺ says:

“Do not belittle a good deed, even if it is meeting your brother with a cheerful face.” 254

His life is not defined by rare, grandiose acts of worship but by the accumulation of countless small, sincere acts that reflect his commitment to truth and righteousness. As he travels through life, he remains aware that each deed, internal or external brings him closer to his Creator, striving always to meet Him in the best of circumstances.

Many claim (and perhaps even believe) that they would undertake all sorts of glorious and grand deeds, “if only they

had the opportunity.” Somehow, life passes over them like some distant mirage or imagination, bearing nothing at all, despite presenting everyone else with gifts and great opportunities at every moment. Yet how often do these same heroes-in-waiting give up countless opportunities to do simple, even if small acts of kindness.

Bombarded with superficial ideals and the alleged, grandiose ‘achievements’ of others, constantly showcased on social media timelines, many not only belittle simple deeds, but may go as far as scorning those who pursue them as petty or oblivious to the ‘bigger picture.’ They will say, “while Muslims are suffering here and there, you still concern yourself with trimming a thorny tree or with running a cake stall for charity?” How often do such scorners neither address the suffering of the oppressed nor manage to ever run a charity stall themselves!?

In reality, the big picture is never changed by dreamers, but by the small and regular habits of everyday people, who never trivialise anything as small as a pebble, as in the Arabic proverb “mountains are but collections of stones.”

On the Day of Reckoning, the deeds of mankind will be weighed. Those whose scales tip in favour of their deeds are saved, while those who did more evil than good have no hope save the mercy of their Ultimate Judge.

However, a third group exists. A group after whom a chapter of the Qur’ān is named and in which their intriguing predicament is told. That is, their deeds and sins balance with

utter precision. As such, they are destined to neither end, but will sit in a state of suspense or waiting, observing both groups and recognising their own shortcomings while intensely regretting their missed opportunities.

They would not have ended up here, were it for a single deed. One wonders whose regret is greater, these, or those whose sins are decisively heavier. These will wait anxiously for their verdict, taken neither to Paradise nor to the blazing fire of Hell.

They are called the ‘People of the Heights’, seeing that they sit in waiting on a mountainous terrain, separating between the people of good and evil, and are able to see both. Allāh recounts:

“They will call out to the people of the Garden, ‘Peace be upon you!’ They will not enter it for all their ardent desire to do so. And when their eyes will be turned towards the Companions of the Fire, they will say, ‘Our Lord, do not place us with the people of the wrongdoers!’”²⁵⁵

With desire, their sights will stare longingly towards the beautiful People of Paradise. But, as they fearfully avert their gazes from the Hellfire as it rages and roars, their “sights will be turned” as if it were (and it is) a matter beyond their control.

Perhaps at this time, the dreamers among men, who wasted a lifetime waiting for that opportunity to show their greatness, one that never present itself to them, will realise the value of the smallest good deed. The day where just one more smile in the face of a fellow sibling, just one more gesture of kindness, just one more piece of litter taken off the pavement, or just one more mention of God’s name, could have tipped the balance.