The chapter on hastening towards good deeds

Explanation of Riyaadh Saliheen:

THE CHAPTER ON HASTENING TOWARDS GOOD DEEDS

رحمه The author

stated, "Hastening towards good deeds and urging whoever pursues good deeds to be steadfast, without hesitation." This title

makes two points:

Firstly: Hastening and taking the initiative to do good deeds.

Secondly: If one is determined to do good, one should proceed without hesitation.

The first point is initiative, which opposes laziness and apathy. The person who is lazy and apathetic has missed many good deeds.

The Prophet Muhammad said, "The strong believer is better and more beloved to Allaah than the weak believer, although both are good. Strive to do that which will benefit you and seek the help of Allaah, and do not feel helpless."

One should hasten to do good deeds as soon as he is told about them, such as prayer, charity, fasting, pilgrimage, obedience to parents, maintaining ties of kinship and so on. One should hasten to perform these good deeds because one does not know whether one will lose the ability to do these deeds later due to death, sickness, or something else if the present opportunity is missed. The Messenger of Allaah

said, "Whoever intends to perform Hajj, let

him hasten to do so, for he may fall sick, lose his mount, or be faced with some need.

Something may appear (suddenly) and prevent the individual from proceeding to do good deed. Hence, one should hasten to do good deeds and shun laziness. The author then quoted, "hasten towards all that is good". This word 'hasten' is more eloquent than 'race' it prompts the person to gain the lead in scoring good deeds. Similarly, hastening to catch the first row in Salah.

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