WHAT COUNTS MOST

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بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

It is related in some accounts that someone once presented 300 gold coins to the Messenger of Allah ﷺ, who gave them to ʿAli ibn Abi Talib رضي الله عنه.

On his way home, ʿAli رضي الله عنه encountered a woman known for prostitution and gave her 100 of the coins. The following day, people began gossiping about what they considered to be misplaced charity.

ʿAli رضي الله عنه was troubled by their criticism and resolved to give the next 100 coins to someone whom people would consider more deserving. He then encountered a man known for stealing and gave him 100 coins. Again, people criticized him for giving charity to someone they regarded as undeserving.

Finally, ʿAli رضي الله عنه gave the remaining 100 coins to a wealthy man. Once again, people questioned his decision.

According to the account, the Messenger of Allah ﷺ was informed that Allah had accepted ʿAli's charity. The woman subsequently abandoned her sinful profession, the thief gave up stealing and turned towards honest living, while the wealthy man was so moved by receiving charity that he distributed his wealth among the poor.

Whether one takes this account as a historical story or simply reflects upon its moral lesson, it reminds us of something important:

We do not always see what Allah may bring about through a single act of kindness.

Lesson No. 1: Charity Is Based on Sincerity, Not Public Approval

ʿAli رضي الله عنه was criticized because people judged the apparent worthiness of those who received his charity.

The deeper lesson is that a believer should seek Allah's pleasure rather than people's approval.

When we give sincerely for the sake of Allah, we should not make people's praise or criticism the measure of our deeds.

Lesson No. 2: Allah's Wisdom Is Beyond Human Judgment

Human beings see only what is apparent. Allah knows what is hidden and what may result from an action.

Someone whom society considers lost today may repent tomorrow. Someone who appears successful may secretly need guidance. Someone who seems undeserving may be the very person whose life can be changed by an act of kindness.

Therefore, we should be careful about judging people solely by their present circumstances.

Lesson No. 3: Never Underestimate a Small Good Deed

A single act of kindness may have consequences that we never see.

A small amount of money, a sincere word, a meal, a helping hand, or simply showing compassion may become a means through which someone's life changes.

We may forget the good we did, but Allah does not.

Lesson No. 4: The Door of Repentance Remains Open

People can change.

Someone who has lived in sin can repent. Someone who has stolen can become honest. Someone who has been heedless can return to Allah.

Therefore, never write a person off as hopeless.

We should hate sin without concluding that the sinner is beyond redemption.

Sometimes kindness can reach a heart that harshness could never reach.

Lesson No. 5: Do Not Allow Criticism to Stop You From Doing Good

People may misunderstand your intentions.

They may question your generosity, criticize your choices, or fail to understand why you helped someone.

But when you are certain that what you are doing is good and permissible, do not make people's opinions the foundation of your righteousness.

Seek the pleasure of Allah.

Slaves of Allah!

What ultimately counts is not how people judge our deeds, but how Allah judges them.

A deed that appears small to people may be enormous in the sight of Allah.

A person whom people have given up on may still return to Allah.

And a kindness that seems insignificant today may become the means of transforming a person's tomorrow.

So give sincerely.

Help when you can.

Do not humiliate the one you help.

Do not assume that someone is beyond repentance.

And do not let people's criticism prevent you from doing what is right.

Because when everything else is stripped away, what counts most is the pleasure of Allah.

May Allah purify our intentions, accept our good deeds, guide those who are struggling, and make us a means of goodness and guidance for others.

Āmīn.

والله أعلم