٢٢٨. عَنْ أَنَسِ بْنِ مَالِكٍ رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللّٰهِ صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ:
«إِنَّ مِنَ النَّاسِ مَفَاتِيحَ لِلْخَيْرِ مَغَالِيقَ لِلشَّرِّ وَإِنَّ مِنَ النَّاسِ مَفَاتِيحَ لِلشَّرِّ مَغَالِيقَ لِلْخَيْرِ فَطُوبَى لِمَنْ جَعَلَ اللّٰهُ مَفَاتِيحَ الْخَيْرِ عَلَى يَدَيْهِ وَوَيْلٌ لِمَنْ جَعَلَ اللّٰهُ مَفَاتِيحَ الشَّرِّ عَلَى يَدَيْهِ».
228. Anas b. Malik (r.a.) narrated: The Messenger of Allah (pbuh) said:
“There are people who are keys to what is good and locks to what is evil. There are also others who are keys to what is evil and locks to what is good. How happy are those to whom Allah has given them to be the keys of the good! Woe to those to whom Allah has given to be the keys of the evil!” (Ibn Majah, Muqaddima, 19; Baihaqi, Shuab, I, 455)
٢٢٩. عَنْ أَبِي مُوسَى رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ قَالَ: كَانَ رَسُولُ اللّٰهِ صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ إِذَا جَاءَهُ السَّائِلُ أَوْ طُلِبَتْ إِلَيْهِ حَاجَةٌ قَالَ:
«اِشْفَعُوا تُؤْجَرُوا وَيَقْضِي اللّٰهُ عَلَى لِسَانِ نَبِيِّهِ صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ مَا شَاءَ».
229. Abu Musa al-Ash’ari (r.a.) narrated: Whenever a beggar came to Allah’s Apostle (pbuh) or he was asked for something, he used to say (to his companions):
“Help and recommend him and you will receive the reward for it; and Allah will bring about what He wills through His Prophet’s tongue.” (Bukhari, Zakat, 21; Adab, 36, 37; Tawheed, 31; Muslim, Birr, 145. Also see. Abu Dawud, Adab, 116-117/5131; Tirmidhi, Ilm, 14/2672)
٢٣٠. عَنْ أَبِي مَسْعُودٍ الْأَنْصَارِيِّ رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ قَالَ: جَاءَ رَجُلٌ إِلَى النَّبِيِّ صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ فَقَالَ:
«إِنِّي أُبْدِعَ بِي فَاحْمِلْنِي» فَقَالَ:
«مَا عِنْدِي» فَقَالَ رَجُلٌ:
«يَا رَسُولَ اللّٰهِ أَنَا أَدُلُّهُ عَلَى مَنْ يَحْمِلُهُ» فَقَالَ رَسُولُ اللّٰهِ صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ:
«مَنْ دَلَّ عَلَى خَيْرٍ فَلَهُ مِثْلُ أَجْرِ فَاعِلِهِ».
230. Abu Mas‘ud al-Ansari (r.a.) narrated:
A man came to the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) and said:
“My riding beast has been killed, so can you give me some animal to ride upon?”
The Messenger of Allah (pbuh) said:
“I have none with me.”
A man who was present there said:
“Messenger of Allah, I can guide him to someone who will provide him with a riding beast.”
Upon this, the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) said:
“One who guides to something good has a reward similar to that of its doer.” (Muslim, Kitab Al-Imara, 133. Also see. Abu Dawud, Adab, 115; Tirmidhi, Ilm, 14)
Explanations:
Being keys to the good and locks to the evil has a side to both calling others to Islam and also serving Islam. Both of them are the most virtuous deeds, which are rewarding and ensuring the contentment of Allah.
As one can earn divine rewards from his own good deeds, one can also earn rewards from others’ good deeds. It is not possible to perform every good deed personally. Sometimes this is the result of lack of time and sometimes the lack of human capacity. In these situations, an intelligent believer can earn divine rewards as if he personally performs good deeds by leading and guiding people to do that good by using his intelligence, words, pen, knowledge, power, position, and wealth.
On the other hand, both the ways to goodness and to evil exist and will always continue to exist in this world. The believers have the responsibility of opening the doors of goodness and closing the doors of evil. For this reason, they always have to be the leaders of good deeds in this world and should strain never to allow the evil.
On the other hand, unfortunately, there will be people who are the keys to the evil and who lock the good. For sure, they will have the burden of evils that they cause.
Almighty Allah says:
“Whoever recommends and helps a good cause becomes a partner therein: And whoever recommends and helps an evil cause, shares in its burden: And Allah has power over all things.” (An-Nisa; 4:85)
In this situation, the thing to be done is to increase the number of those who are keys to the good and decrease the number of those who are keys the evil.
In our first hadith, the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) said “How happy!” to those who are the keys to the good. The expression “Woe to you!” for those unfortunate who are the keys to the evil and locks to the good.
In another narration, the Prophet (pbuh) said:
“This goodness (that I brought to you) is comparable to a treasure. There are keys to this treasure. How happy is whom Allah made a key to the good and a lock to the evil! Woe to those whom Allah made a key to the evil and lock to the good!” (Ibn Majah, Muqaddimah, 19)
The good are the things that Allah is content with and the evil are the things that Allah hates and forbids. When Allah is content with one of His servants, the sign of this is to make him a key to the good. When this type of person is seen, he reminds good deeds; when he comes, the good comes with him; when he speaks, he speaks of the good; when he thinks, he thinks of goodness; he always has good feelings and intentions and helps people who want to do good. This type of person who always wants goodness to overcome the evil is a source of goodness for those who are around him. A person who is a key to the evil, since all he does is evil, he always speaks of evil, thinks of evil, plans evil things, helps evil, and brings evil wherever he goes. This type of person who wants evil to spread is a source of pain to those around him. For this reason, being with the first type of person is happiness and being with the second type of person is brigandage.
Prophets are the leaders of being keys to the good. Almighty Allah says about them:
“And We made them leaders, guiding (men) by Our Command…” (Al-Anbiya; 21:73)
All Muslims should be guides to what is good and right by taking prophets as an example. Even, they should pray as:
“And those who pray, “Our Lord! Grant unto us wives and offspring who will be the comfort of our eyes, and give us (the grace) to lead the righteous.”[1]
Since a person who guides to good deeds earns divine rewards as if he personally performed them, guiding pious people is a good deed that is very rewarding and beneficial.
In our second hadith, the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) advised being means to all kinds of goodness, especially solving the problems of the needy. The Messenger of Allah (pbuh) said in another hadith:
“Sometimes a person asks for something from me. I would delay satisfying his needs so that you can intercede and help him in getting what he wants and earn divine rewards! Yes, intercede needy in satisfying his need so you can earn divine rewards from it.” (Nasai, Zakat, 65)
On the one side there are many needy people and organizations who should receive goodness and help, who struggle in despair and lack of means, and on the other side there are many good people who want to help and try to find those who are really in need. Leading and becoming a mediator to them is a huge responsibility on Muslims and also an opportunity to gain divine rewards. For example, foundations that bring together the needy with the wealthy people are the most significant institutions serving this purpose.
The Messenger of Allah (pbuh) gave the good news to the Muslims who become means to goodness:
“There are some servants of Allah whom He created to satisfy the needs of the needy. People run to these good people for their needs. These are the people who are safe from the anger of Allah.” (Haythami, VIII, 192)
In our third hadith, we see an example of becoming a means to a good deed. A man who needs a mount came to the exalted presence of the Prophet. At that moment, there was nothing with the Messenger of Allah. However, there was a Muslim on the other side who could help him with this. One of the Noble Companions of the Messenger who knew about this Muslim brought them together and became a means for a good deed to happen. Upon this, the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) said:
“One who guides to something good has a reward similar to that of its doer.”
Another similar incident is as follows:
A young man from the Aslam tribe said:
“O Messenger of Allah, I wish to fight (in the way of Allah) but I don’t have anything to equip myself with for fighting.”
The Messenger of Allah (pbuh) said:
“Go to so and so, for he had equipped himself (for fighting) but he fell ill.”
So, he (the young man) went to him and said:
The Messenger of Allah (pbuh) sends you his greetings and says that you should give me the equipage that you have provided yourself with.
The man said (to his wife or maidservant):
“Dear, give him the equipage I have collected for myself and do not withhold anything from him. Do not withhold anything from him so that you may be blessed therein.” (Muslim, Kitab Al-Imara, 134)
Thanks to this one good deed, three people earned divine rewards and none of their rewards are diminished. These are; the Noble Companion of the Messenger who intended to do something good but could not do due to his illness, the young man who performed the good deed by getting the military equipment from him, and the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) who brought them together…
That is to say, encouraging and becoming means to goodness is as important as performing the goodness. As a matter of fact, the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) encouraged his companions to give alms and to do good deeds in every opportunity and often advised them in this direction.
For example, Jabir (r.a.) narrated:
“My maternal aunt was divorced, and she intended to pluck her dates. A person scolded her for having come out (during the period of ‘Idda). She came and told about what happened to Allah’s Prophet (pbuh) and he said:
“Certainly you can pluck (dates) from your palm trees, for perhaps you may give charity or do an act of kindness.” (Muslim, Kitab Al-Talaq, 55; Abu Dawud, Kitab Al-Talaq, 39-41/2297; Nasai, Kitab Al-Talaq, 70; Ibn Majah, Kitab Al-Talaq, 9)
Also, the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) finally said to a noble companion who came and asked him various questions:
“Doing good deed is always better for you.” (Abu Dawud, Kitab Al-Buyu, 60/3476)
The prayer that the Messenger of Allah advised to recite when visiting the ill is one of the best examples showing that he always suggested goodness:
“O Allah, cure Your servant, who may then wreak havoc on an enemy for Your sake, or walk at a funeral for Your sake, or join congregation for a prayer.” (Abu Dawud, Funerals (Kitab Al-Jana’iz) 8/3107)
By praying in this fashion, the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) suggests the ill to perform good deeds such as fighting in the way of Allah, attend a funeral, and regularly join the congregation for a prayer when he gets well. In this way, the ill Muslim understands the value of his health and the fact that he should utilize these blessings to earn the eternal happiness. He pursues good deeds more passionately when he gets well.
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a. Being a Key to Goodness
٢٢٨. عَنْ أَنَسِ بْنِ مَالِكٍ رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللّٰهِ صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ:
«إِنَّ مِنَ النَّاسِ مَفَاتِيحَ لِلْخَيْرِ مَغَالِيقَ لِلشَّرِّ وَإِنَّ مِنَ النَّاسِ مَفَاتِيحَ لِلشَّرِّ مَغَالِيقَ لِلْخَيْرِ فَطُوبَى لِمَنْ جَعَلَ اللّٰهُ مَفَاتِيحَ الْخَيْرِ عَلَى يَدَيْهِ وَوَيْلٌ لِمَنْ جَعَلَ اللّٰهُ مَفَاتِيحَ الشَّرِّ عَلَى يَدَيْهِ».
228. Anas b. Malik (r.a.) narrated: The Messenger of Allah (pbuh) said:
“There are people who are keys to what is good and locks to what is evil. There are also others who are keys to what is evil and locks to what is good. How happy are those to whom Allah has given them to be the keys of the good! Woe to those to whom Allah has given to be the keys of the evil!” (Ibn Majah, Muqaddima, 19; Baihaqi, Shuab, I, 455)
٢٢٩. عَنْ أَبِي مُوسَى رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ قَالَ: كَانَ رَسُولُ اللّٰهِ صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ إِذَا جَاءَهُ السَّائِلُ أَوْ طُلِبَتْ إِلَيْهِ حَاجَةٌ قَالَ:
«اِشْفَعُوا تُؤْجَرُوا وَيَقْضِي اللّٰهُ عَلَى لِسَانِ نَبِيِّهِ صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ مَا شَاءَ».
229. Abu Musa al-Ash’ari (r.a.) narrated: Whenever a beggar came to Allah’s Apostle (pbuh) or he was asked for something, he used to say (to his companions):
“Help and recommend him and you will receive the reward for it; and Allah will bring about what He wills through His Prophet’s tongue.” (Bukhari, Zakat, 21; Adab, 36, 37; Tawheed, 31; Muslim, Birr, 145. Also see. Abu Dawud, Adab, 116-117/5131; Tirmidhi, Ilm, 14/2672)
٢٣٠. عَنْ أَبِي مَسْعُودٍ الْأَنْصَارِيِّ رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ قَالَ: جَاءَ رَجُلٌ إِلَى النَّبِيِّ صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ فَقَالَ:
«إِنِّي أُبْدِعَ بِي فَاحْمِلْنِي» فَقَالَ:
«مَا عِنْدِي» فَقَالَ رَجُلٌ:
«يَا رَسُولَ اللّٰهِ أَنَا أَدُلُّهُ عَلَى مَنْ يَحْمِلُهُ» فَقَالَ رَسُولُ اللّٰهِ صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ:
«مَنْ دَلَّ عَلَى خَيْرٍ فَلَهُ مِثْلُ أَجْرِ فَاعِلِهِ».
230. Abu Mas‘ud al-Ansari (r.a.) narrated:
A man came to the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) and said:
“My riding beast has been killed, so can you give me some animal to ride upon?”
The Messenger of Allah (pbuh) said:
“I have none with me.”
A man who was present there said:
“Messenger of Allah, I can guide him to someone who will provide him with a riding beast.”
Upon this, the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) said:
“One who guides to something good has a reward similar to that of its doer.” (Muslim, Kitab Al-Imara, 133. Also see. Abu Dawud, Adab, 115; Tirmidhi, Ilm, 14)
Explanations:
Being keys to the good and locks to the evil has a side to both calling others to Islam and also serving Islam. Both of them are the most virtuous deeds, which are rewarding and ensuring the contentment of Allah.
As one can earn divine rewards from his own good deeds, one can also earn rewards from others’ good deeds. It is not possible to perform every good deed personally. Sometimes this is the result of lack of time and sometimes the lack of human capacity. In these situations, an intelligent believer can earn divine rewards as if he personally performs good deeds by leading and guiding people to do that good by using his intelligence, words, pen, knowledge, power, position, and wealth.
On the other hand, both the ways to goodness and to evil exist and will always continue to exist in this world. The believers have the responsibility of opening the doors of goodness and closing the doors of evil. For this reason, they always have to be the leaders of good deeds in this world and should strain never to allow the evil.
On the other hand, unfortunately, there will be people who are the keys to the evil and who lock the good. For sure, they will have the burden of evils that they cause.
Almighty Allah says:
“Whoever recommends and helps a good cause becomes a partner therein: And whoever recommends and helps an evil cause, shares in its burden: And Allah has power over all things.” (An-Nisa; 4:85)
In this situation, the thing to be done is to increase the number of those who are keys to the good and decrease the number of those who are keys the evil.
In our first hadith, the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) said “How happy!” to those who are the keys to the good. The expression “Woe to you!” for those unfortunate who are the keys to the evil and locks to the good.
In another narration, the Prophet (pbuh) said:
“This goodness (that I brought to you) is comparable to a treasure. There are keys to this treasure. How happy is whom Allah made a key to the good and a lock to the evil! Woe to those whom Allah made a key to the evil and lock to the good!” (Ibn Majah, Muqaddimah, 19)
The good are the things that Allah is content with and the evil are the things that Allah hates and forbids. When Allah is content with one of His servants, the sign of this is to make him a key to the good. When this type of person is seen, he reminds good deeds; when he comes, the good comes with him; when he speaks, he speaks of the good; when he thinks, he thinks of goodness; he always has good feelings and intentions and helps people who want to do good. This type of person who always wants goodness to overcome the evil is a source of goodness for those who are around him. A person who is a key to the evil, since all he does is evil, he always speaks of evil, thinks of evil, plans evil things, helps evil, and brings evil wherever he goes. This type of person who wants evil to spread is a source of pain to those around him. For this reason, being with the first type of person is happiness and being with the second type of person is brigandage.
Prophets are the leaders of being keys to the good. Almighty Allah says about them:
“And We made them leaders, guiding (men) by Our Command…” (Al-Anbiya; 21:73)
All Muslims should be guides to what is good and right by taking prophets as an example. Even, they should pray as:
“And those who pray, “Our Lord! Grant unto us wives and offspring who will be the comfort of our eyes, and give us (the grace) to lead the righteous.”[1]
Since a person who guides to good deeds earns divine rewards as if he personally performed them, guiding pious people is a good deed that is very rewarding and beneficial.
In our second hadith, the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) advised being means to all kinds of goodness, especially solving the problems of the needy. The Messenger of Allah (pbuh) said in another hadith:
“Sometimes a person asks for something from me. I would delay satisfying his needs so that you can intercede and help him in getting what he wants and earn divine rewards! Yes, intercede needy in satisfying his need so you can earn divine rewards from it.” (Nasai, Zakat, 65)
On the one side there are many needy people and organizations who should receive goodness and help, who struggle in despair and lack of means, and on the other side there are many good people who want to help and try to find those who are really in need. Leading and becoming a mediator to them is a huge responsibility on Muslims and also an opportunity to gain divine rewards. For example, foundations that bring together the needy with the wealthy people are the most significant institutions serving this purpose.
The Messenger of Allah (pbuh) gave the good news to the Muslims who become means to goodness:
“There are some servants of Allah whom He created to satisfy the needs of the needy. People run to these good people for their needs. These are the people who are safe from the anger of Allah.” (Haythami, VIII, 192)
In our third hadith, we see an example of becoming a means to a good deed. A man who needs a mount came to the exalted presence of the Prophet. At that moment, there was nothing with the Messenger of Allah. However, there was a Muslim on the other side who could help him with this. One of the Noble Companions of the Messenger who knew about this Muslim brought them together and became a means for a good deed to happen. Upon this, the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) said:
“One who guides to something good has a reward similar to that of its doer.”
Another similar incident is as follows:
A young man from the Aslam tribe said:
“O Messenger of Allah, I wish to fight (in the way of Allah) but I don’t have anything to equip myself with for fighting.”
The Messenger of Allah (pbuh) said:
“Go to so and so, for he had equipped himself (for fighting) but he fell ill.”
So, he (the young man) went to him and said:
The Messenger of Allah (pbuh) sends you his greetings and says that you should give me the equipage that you have provided yourself with.
The man said (to his wife or maidservant):
“Dear, give him the equipage I have collected for myself and do not withhold anything from him. Do not withhold anything from him so that you may be blessed therein.” (Muslim, Kitab Al-Imara, 134)
Thanks to this one good deed, three people earned divine rewards and none of their rewards are diminished. These are; the Noble Companion of the Messenger who intended to do something good but could not do due to his illness, the young man who performed the good deed by getting the military equipment from him, and the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) who brought them together…
That is to say, encouraging and becoming means to goodness is as important as performing the goodness. As a matter of fact, the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) encouraged his companions to give alms and to do good deeds in every opportunity and often advised them in this direction.
For example, Jabir (r.a.) narrated:
“My maternal aunt was divorced, and she intended to pluck her dates. A person scolded her for having come out (during the period of ‘Idda). She came and told about what happened to Allah’s Prophet (pbuh) and he said:
“Certainly you can pluck (dates) from your palm trees, for perhaps you may give charity or do an act of kindness.” (Muslim, Kitab Al-Talaq, 55; Abu Dawud, Kitab Al-Talaq, 39-41/2297; Nasai, Kitab Al-Talaq, 70; Ibn Majah, Kitab Al-Talaq, 9)
Also, the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) finally said to a noble companion who came and asked him various questions:
“Doing good deed is always better for you.” (Abu Dawud, Kitab Al-Buyu, 60/3476)
The prayer that the Messenger of Allah advised to recite when visiting the ill is one of the best examples showing that he always suggested goodness:
“O Allah, cure Your servant, who may then wreak havoc on an enemy for Your sake, or walk at a funeral for Your sake, or join congregation for a prayer.” (Abu Dawud, Funerals (Kitab Al-Jana’iz) 8/3107)
By praying in this fashion, the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) suggests the ill to perform good deeds such as fighting in the way of Allah, attend a funeral, and regularly join the congregation for a prayer when he gets well. In this way, the ill Muslim understands the value of his health and the fact that he should utilize these blessings to earn the eternal happiness. He pursues good deeds more passionately when he gets well.
[1] Al-Furqan; 25:74.
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