Do not belittle any good deed, even if it be meeting your brother with a cheerful face

Arabic text

عن أبي ذر رضي الله عنه قال: قال لي النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم: «لَا تَحْقِرَنَّ مِنَ الْمَعْرُوفِ شَيْئًا، وَلَوْ أَنْ تَلْقَى أَخَاكَ بِوَجْهٍ طَلْقٍ».

Translation

Abu Dharr (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said to me: "Do not belittle any good deed, even if it be meeting your brother with a cheerful face."

Explanation

The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) urges us to do good and not belittle any act of goodness, even if it is simple. An example is meeting one another with a cheerful face. A Muslim should be keen on doing this, for it brings a sense of friendliness and joy to his Muslim brother.

Benefits

• The Hadīth highlights the merit of mutual love among the believers and that they meet one another with cheerful and smiling faces.
• It points to the perfection and comprehensiveness of this Shariah and that its teachings unite Muslims and set their affairs aright.
• It urges us to do good deeds, even if little.
• It is recommended to bring joy to Muslims, as it creates friendliness among them.

Topics

• Virtues and Manners
• Jurisprudence of Ethics
• Praiseworthy Morals