The real Muslim not only acts with people with kind, pleasant, peaceful, and respectful manners; and is beneficent to them but also keeps himself away from nonsense and useless words and actions. He does not waste his time or efforts in vain actions and purposeless speeches. The Prophet (SAW) said: “Part of someone’s being a good Muslim is his leaving alone that which does not concern him.” Muslims are always required to do every action in a good and religious manner. The feeling of brotherhood and sisterhood should be so strong that if any Muslim hears that another is in true need, they should immediately ask: “What can I do to help?” The Prophet (SAW) informed his Ummah that the Muslims are like one body in their love, mercy and affection for each other. Another place Prophet Muhammad (SAW) states: “You cannot enter Paradise unless you are a believer, and you cannot be a true believer unless you love one another. Shall I not point you to something that if you were to practice it, you would love one another? Spread the salaam among yourselves.” Every Muslim should be generous with their time and their money to help those around them. This is the duty of Sadaqah or charity. For the Prophet (SAW) charity was more than giving money.
A Muslim who does a lot of charitable work but does not pray the daily prayers, pay the Zakaat or fast Ramadan is not considered as righteous at all. Muslims have rights and duties between themselves that strengthen the bonds of brotherhood in the Ummah.
Righteousness includes everything from praising and glorifying Almighty Allah, to helping people in any way possible. Even smiling in the face of fellow Muslim is considered Sadaqah (charitable act). And this charity naturally extends to non-Muslims also, whether they are neighbours or colleagues at work and so on. Righteous actions are only rewarded by Almighty Allah if a person worships Allah alone and does not commit idolatry. Idolatry is to worship gods besides Allah, whether it is Idols, Saints, Angels, Prophets, Stars or the dead in their graves. The optional righteous deeds are never more important than the obligations such as Prayer, Zakaat, Hajj and Fasting since these are from the Five Pillars, so a Muslim is expected to practice Islam and increase one’s faith (imaan) further with optional righteous actions, and not replace the Five Pillars. A Muslim who does a lot of charitable work but does not pray the daily prayers, pay the Zakaat or fast Ramadan is not considered as righteous at all. Muslims have rights and duties between themselves that strengthen the bonds of brotherhood in the Ummah. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) stated: “The right of one Muslim upon another are five: to respond to the salaam; to visit the sick; to follow the funeral [when he dies]; to respond to an invite; and to say yarhamakallah (may Allah show you mercy) when he sneezes and says alhamdulillah (all is praise is for Allah).” He also said: “A Muslim is a brother to a fellow Muslim. He does not oppress him, he does not betray him and he does not look down on him.”
