Becoming the Keys to Goodness

Becoming the Keys to Goodness

Author: Ustadz Abu Ahmad Said Yai, Lc. MA

The Hadith

عن أنس بن مالك قال: قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه و سلم:

إِنَّ مِنَ النَّاسِ مَفَاتِيحَ لِلْخَيْرِ مَغَالِيقَ لِلشَّرِّ وَإِنَّ مِنَ النَّاسِ مَفَاتِيحَ لِلشَّرِّ مَغَالِيقَ لِلْخَيْرِ فَطُوبَى لِمَنْ جَعَلَ اللَّهُ مَفَاتِيحَ الْخَيْرِ عَلَى يَدَيْهِ وَوَيْلٌ لِمَنْ جَعَلَ اللَّهُ مَفَاتِيحَ الشَّرِّ عَلَى يَدَيْهِ

From Anas Ibn Malik -may Allah be pleased with him-, he said, “The Messenger of Allah -peace and prayer of Allah be upon him- once said, “Verily, among men, there are persons who become the keys to goodness, and the locks of evil. And among men there are people who become the locks of goodness, and the keys to evil. Lucky those whom Allah put in their hands the key to goodness, and woe to those whom Allah put in their hands the key to evil.”

Explanation of Narrators:

This hadith was narrated by Ibn Maja in his book of Sunan, at the opening of the Book of Sunan Ibn Maja, chapter “The key to goodness”, no. 237 and Ibn Abi ‘Ashim in As Sunnah, no. 232.

It is classified as good hadith by Sheikh Al Albani in “Ash Shahihah” no. 1332, and “Dzhilâlul-jannah” (297/299) with its supporting narrations.

Explanation of Hadith:

Verily, among men there are (owner of) keys to (open the doors of) goodness, and (owner of) the lock of (the doors of) evil (that is, people whom Allah created as causes, by whose help other people could do good and abandon evil doing, such as the scholars, the authorities, warrior, etc). And among men there are (owner of) lock of (doors of) goodness, and (owner of) keys to (open the doors of) evil (that is, people whom Allah created as causes, by whose deed other people couldn’t do good and couldn’t abandon the evil doing). [1]

Pearls of Wisdom regarding the Hadith

Indeed, Allah is The One Who opened and closed everything that He wished. Among Allah’s name is Al Fattah. It is mentioned inside the Qur’an and the Hadith that Al Fattah has three meanings, namely: Al Haakim (The Decider of affairs), An Naashir (The Helper), and Al Fattaah (The One Who open). [2]

Ibn Al Qayyim -may Allah have mercy on him- said, “The key to all goodnesses is the wish to see Allah and obtain the Hereafter rewards (Paradise). The key to all evils is the love of the world and having too many of dreams. Knowing this is a great thing and one of  the most beneficial among other knowledges, i.e., knowing about the keys to goodness and evil. None who recognizes and pays attention to it but the most lucky and guided ones.” [3]

Sheikh Abdurrazzaq Al Abbad -may Allah preserve him- said, “Know that people who are fallen into the evil doings will not let himself fall alone in it. He’ll take other people with him. Therefore, be careful!”. [4]

There are plenty doors to goodness. Whoever gets one of it opened for him shouldn’t mock or underestimate others who get another door opened for them. There is an interesting story about this statement: “Abdullah Al ‘Umari, a devout worshipper, sent a letter to Imam Malik, (which content) suggested him to separate himself from others and perform righteous deed. Then the Imam replied his letter, saying, “Verily, Allah has divided the deeds as he divided the sustenances. Many people get the door of salat opened for them, but not the door of fasting. Likewise, many people get the door of alms opened for him, but not the door of fasting. And for the others, the door of jihad opened for them. Spreading the knowledge is among the best of righteous deeds. I’m pleased with what Allah had opened for me. I consider that what I’m doing right now is not lower in degree than what you do. I wish both of us are in goodness and piety.”[5]

The key of goodness is not the privilege of the preacher or religious teacher, but also the right of every one who persuade others to be obedient and avoid the wickedness, such as the leader of a region or organization, teacher, parent, warrior, rich man who use his wealth in goodness, etc.

Becoming the key to goodness is one of the ways to be a useful person to others, and to be the most beloved person to Allah. The Messenger of Allah -peace and prayer of Allah be upon him- said,

أَحَبُّ النَّاسِ إِلَى اللَّهِ أَنْفَعُهُمْ لِلنَّاسِ

“The most beloved person to Allah is the most useful one to human being.”[6]

How to be the key to goodness?

Those who wish to be the key to goodness should posses or practice the points below:

– Al ‘azm (the strong will) and correct intention

They should plant inside their hearts a strong will to change and persuade people around them to do good. Hence, they’ll always think about the suitable way to realize it. Sometimes we are a bit shy to do it, but remember that “shyness isn’t exist but for the sake of a good thing.” If we are shy to do good, then we should know that it comes from satan.

Allah the Exalted decreed, which can be translated as,

“And when you are resolved on a course of action put your trust in Allah. Surely Allah loves those who put their trust (in Him).” (Ali ‘Imran/The Family of ‘Imran:159)

– Knowledge

By having knowledge, we could differentiate between the key to goodness and the key to evil. By having knowledge, we could differentiate between the obedience and wickedness. By having knowledge, we could differentiate between the lawful and unlawful things. The greater the knowledge, the lesser the number of vague things for its owner.

Among the indications that underline the excellence of knowledge is a hadith below:

The Messenger of Allah -peace and prayer of Allah be upon him- said,

خَيْرُ مَا يَخْلُفُ الْمَرْءُ بَعْدَهُ ثَلَاثًا : وَلَدًا صَالِحًا يَدْعُو لَهُ فَيَبْلُغُهُ دُعَاؤُهُ ، أَوْ صَدَقَةً تَجْرِي فَيَبْلُغُهُ أَجْرُهَا ، أَوْ عِلْمًا يُعْمَلُ بِهِ بَعْدَهُ

“The best things that someone left after he died are in three things: (1) A righteous child that always pray for him, thus what he prayed reached him, (2) an alms which rewards flow to him, and (3) (beneficial) knowledge that is practiced by others after him.”[7]

Qatada -may Allah have mercy on him- said,

بَابٌ مِنَ الْعِلْمِ يَحْفَظُهُ الَّرجُلُ لِصَلَاحِ نَفْسِهِ وَصَلَاحِ مَنْ بَعْدَهُ أَفْضَلُ مِنْ عِبَادَةِ حَوْلٍ

“(The deed of) A person who memorize a chapter of knowledge (which he intended) to the piety of himself and others after him, is better than all-year round of worship.” [8]

– Practicing the knowledge

Maybe some of us ever whined, “I’ve been enjoining people for a long time, but why it doesn’t affect them much?”. We should realize and introspect ourselves. How come a person without righteousness will convey it to others?. Therefore, perform the obligations in religion and stay away from the prohibitions of Allah and His messenger! As for the voluntary ones, then we should do it as we could, and consider which ones among those deeds that are easier and better for us to do compared to the rest. [9]

Some of us might think that the righteous deeds only comprise the outer deeds, which is a wrong perception. It comprises the outer and inner deeds. Even the greatest deed according to Allah is tawheed. Whereas tawheed, as we all know, included in inner deed.

– Following the examples of the Prophet -peace and prayer of Allah be upon him-

Sheikh Rabi’ Al Madkhali has written a special book covering this topic. [10]

– Becoming an Naashih (A person who always advises others)

Becoming an Naashih is a great pleasure. Imagine, while we were committing a sin, a person came and told us off it or prohibited us, how glad would we be, since we were restrained from doing the evil. Likewise, when in a mosque there were a lot of sunnah that were abandoned, then a man came and advised and suggested people to enliven it, how glad would we be. We would always tell him, “Thank you” or at least, we would always pray for his goodness.

As long as there are people with this characteristic, then Allah will always bestow His blessings.

Allah the Glorified and Exalted revealed the saying of prophet Isa (Jesus) -peace be upon him-, which can be translated as,

“and has blessed me wherever I might be and has enjoined upon me Prayer and Zakah (purifying alms) as long as I live;” (Maryam/Mary:31)

Among the interpretation of this verse is as said by Ibn Katsir -may Allah have mercy on him- in his book of tafseer, “Becoming the blessed one is by enjoining people to do good and prohibiting them from doing evil.”

– Having noble characters and maintaing self-honor [11] (charisma, self-image, or honor)

Although maintaining the self-honor is not a compulsory thing, but it has great impacts to those around us.

Imam Ash Shafi’i -may Allah have mercy on him- once said,

لَوْ أَنَّ الْمَاءَ الْبَارِدَ يَثْلَمُ مِنْ مُرُوْءَتِي شَيْئًا مَا شَرِبْتُ الْمَاءَ إِلَّا حَارًّا

“Supposed that the cold water ruins something from my honor, I’ll never drink except the hot water.”[12]

– Befriending people who are known as keys to goodness

Know, O brother! Even animals could influence a person’s character, if it often accompanied him, whereas those animals couldn’t speak. Moreover if the ones who often accompanied him were people who could speak, surely the influence would be greater! Don’t be shy to approach the key of goodness although we are still very young! Likewise, people whom Allah has guided to be the keys of goodness shouldn’t be shy to interact with the youth. Probably, the goodnesses come from the younger ones.

The Messenger of Allah -peace and prayer of Allah be upon him- once said,

الْفَخْرُ وَ الْخُيَلَاءُ فِي الْفَدَّادِيْنَ أَهْلِ الْوَبَرِ وَ السَّكِيْنَةُ فِي أَهْلِ الْغَنَمِ

“Arrogance and vanity are with the ones who raise their voices among the camel herders. And serenity is with the goat herders.”[13]

– Being wise in enjoining people to do good

Allah the Exalted decreed, which can be translated as,

“(O Prophet), call to the way of your Lord with wisdom and goodly exhortation, and reason with them in the best manner possible.” (An Nahl/The Bee: 125)

Al-Ustâdz Abdullah Zaen – may Allah preserve him- has written a special book covering this topic, please refer to it.[14]

– Behaving gently to others

The Messenger of Allah -peace and prayer of Allah be upon him- once said,

مَنْ يُحْرَمِ الرِّفْقَ يُحْرَمِ الْخَيْرَ

“Whoever being distanced from gentleness, will be distanced from goodness.”[15]

– Being patient

Becoming a key to goodness surely isn’t an easy thing. Of course there will be obstacles and barriers from ourselves or from others. Our efforts in calling people to do good is nothing compared to the efforts of the prophets – peace be upon them-. The Messenger of Allah -peace and prayer of Allah be upon him- once asked by Sa’d Ibn Abi Waqqash -may Allah be pleased with him,

يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ أَىُّ النَّاسِ أَشَدُّ بَلاَءً قَالَ الأَنْبِيَاءُ ثُمَّ الأَمْثَلُ فَالأَمْثَلُ فَيُبْتَلَى الرَّجُلُ عَلَى حَسَبِ دِينِهِ فَإِنْ كَانَ دِينُهُ صُلْبًا اشْتَدَّ بَلاَؤُهُ وَإِنْ كَانَ فِى دِينِهِ رِقَّةٌ ابْتُلِىَ عَلَى حَسَبِ دِينِهِ

“O Messenger of Allah! Who -among men- that has the gravest of trial?”. He answered, “The prophets, then people that as them. A person will be tested according to the level of his religion. If it were strong, then the test will be added. And if it were weak, then he’ll be tested according to the level of his religion.” [16]

– Praying

Don’t forget to pray for many times to Allah, so that He’ll make us the key of goodness, and pray for the goodness of people around us, at the granted time. This is a thing that has been forgotten by many people.

Hopefully this writing benefits us all. And guidance is with Allah, and all praises be to Him.

Footnotes:

  • [1] Refer to: “Syarh Sunan Ibn Mâjah” by As-Sindi and As-Suyûthi
  • [2] Refer to: “Shifâtullah  ‘Azza wa jalla Al-Wâridah fil-Kitâb was-Sunnah” by As-Seggâf page 270
  • [3] “Hâdil-arwâh” page 39. Beirut: Dârul-kutub Al-’ilmiyah
  • [4] In his general lesson at the Islamic University of Medina, titled :”‘Kaifa takûnu miftâhan lilkhair?‘. May Allah reward him with plenty of goodnesses.
  • [5] Refer to: “Siyar A’lâm An-Nubalâ’”  about Imam Malik -may Allah have mercy with him-.
  • [6] It was narrated by Ath Thabrani from Ibn ‘Umar, with the redaction of, “It is said that a man came to the Messenger of Allah -peace and prayer of Allah be upon him- , then asked, “O Messenger of Allah, who is the most beloved man to Allah? And what deed is the most beloved to Allah?”. The Messenger of Allah -peace and prayer of Allah be upon him- answered, “The most beloved man to Allah is the most useful to others among them. The most beloved deed to Allah is the happiness that you cause to a muslim, you take away difficulty from him, you pay for his debt, or you erase the hunger from him. Walking with my brother in a need is dearer to me than I stay worshipping in this mosque – i.e., the prophet’s mosque – for a month.  Whoever restrains his anger, then Allah will cover his awrah. Whoever restrains his anger although in reality he is able to leash it out, then Allah the Almighty will fulfill his heart with the feeling of security in the Hereafter. Whoever walks with his brother to fulfill  his (brother, -ed) need until he finds it, then Allah will strengthen his feet on the Bridge, on the day when many people fall down from it.”

Refer to: “Al-Mu’jam Al-Kabir” no. 13646 (12/453), “Al-Mu’jam Al-Ausath” no. 6026 (6/139-140), “Al-Mu’jam Ash-Shaghir” no. 861 page 106, and in “Al-Ausath” also narrated from Jabir in hadith no. 5787 (6/58), with a redaction of , “The best of men is the most useful to human being.”

It was classified as good hadith by Sheikh Al Albani in “Silsilah Al-Ahadits Ash-Shahihah” no. 906 (2/573), and no. 426 (1/787), and in “Shahihul-Jami’” no. 4289 and in “Shahih At-Targhib wa At-Tarhib” no. 2623.

  • [7] Narrated by Ibn Maja No. 241 and Ibn Khuzaima No. 2495. Classified as valid hadith by Sheikh Al Albani in “At-Ta’lîq” (1/58), “Ahkâmul-janâ’iz” page 176 and “Ar-Raudh” page. 1013
  • [8] Refer to: “Jâmi’ bayan al-’ilmi wa fadhlihi” book I page 111. Dâr Ibnil-Jauzi
  • [9] Sheikh Ibrâhim Ar-Ruhaili has written a book titled “‘Tajrîdul-ittibâ’ fi bayâni asbâb tafâdhulil-a’mâl‘”. Please refer to it.
  • [10] The title is “Manhajul-anbiyâ’ fid-da’wah ilallâh fîhi alhikmah wal-’aql’”
  • [11] Murû’ah is a self-honor or self-image of a person, or something that should be exist in a person. For example: In a certain region, it is an utter disgrace for a knowledge seeker to wear trouser, then to maintain his self-honor, he should pray wearing a sarong. The ruling comes back to the tradition in each region.
  • [12] Refer to: “Manâqib Asy-Syafî” by Ar-Râzy page 85, cited from “Ma’âlim fî tharîq thalabil’ilm” page 166
  • [13] HR Al-Bukhâri  No. 3499 dan Muslim No. 187. Ahlul-wabar dapat diartikan orang-orang pedalaman (baduwi) karena rumah-rumah mereka dulunya terbuat dari al-wabr atau bulu. Adapun makna hadits di atas penulis ambilkan dari Syarh Shahih Muslim li An-Nawawi
  • [14] The title is ’14 CONTOH PRAKTEK HIKMAH DALAM BERDAKWAH’
  • [15] Narrated by Muslim  No. 2592
  • [16] Narrated by At-Tirmidhi No. 2398 and Ibn Maja No. 4523

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