Are You Sure Your Good Deeds Are Safe This Ramadan?
Think again.
This Ramadan, millions will fast, pray, and give charity, believing they are piling up rewards for the Hereafter. But what if you’re unknowingly erasing all of them?
Yes, you read that right. There are five deadly sins that can wipe out your good deeds faster than you realize, leaving you spiritually bankrupt. It doesn’t matter how many Taraweeh prayers you perform or how much charity you give – if you fall into these traps, all your efforts could be in vain.
Before you enter this blessed month, find out how to protect your good deeds from these silent destroyers. From the deceptive sweetness of gossip to hidden envy and showing off, we’ll uncover everything you need to know to make your Ramadan truly count.
Don’t let Satan steal your rewards this Ramadan. Let’s dive into the teachings of Islam to understand how to safeguard our good deeds from the five deadly sins that can wipe them out completely. Are you ready to protect your good deeds?
The Importance of Protecting Good Deeds
Good deeds are precious yet vulnerable. Just as we protect our wealth and health, we must safeguard our good deeds from the forces that can nullify them. It’s not enough to perform good deeds; they need constant protection.
Why Protect Good Deeds?
The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) emphasized:
"If a person does a good deed, he should never doubt its reward. But he must protect it for the rest of his life because the entire army of Satan is behind every good deed."
In today’s world, we insure our valuable possessions against loss. But have you ever thought about insuring your good deeds? Just as physical possessions can be stolen, good deeds can also be erased – and the thief is none other than Satan.
How Can Good Deeds Be Lost?
Through five deadly sins:
- Losing Faith (Iman)
- The Tongue (Backbiting and Slander)
- Envy (Hasad)
- Showing Off (Riya)
- Reminding of Charity (Mann)
Let’s explore each one with Quranic verses, Hadiths, and powerful stories to understand how to protect our good deeds from these silent destroyers.
1) The First Deadly Sin: Losing Faith (Iman)
Faith (Iman) is the foundation of all good deeds.
Without faith, nothing else matters. But did you know that faith can slip away faster than you realize?
How Can Iman Be Lost?
Iman is lost not just by declaring disbelief but through subtle words or actions. It can be a careless joke, disrespectful statements, or engaging in activities that contradict Islamic beliefs.
Quranic Warning Against Losing Faith:
- Surah Al-Imran (3:85):
"And whoever desires other than Islam as religion – never will it be accepted from him, and he, in the Hereafter, will be among the losers."
Hadiths on Losing Iman:
- The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) warned:
"There will come a time when a man will be a believer in the morning and a disbeliever by evening, or a believer in the evening and a disbeliever by morning."
This shows how fragile Iman can be. It’s not enough to simply declare faith – it needs protection through words, actions, and constant remembrance of Allah.
4 Types of People According to Iman:
According to the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH):
- Born in Faith, Lived in Faith, Died in Faith – They are blessed.
- Born in Disbelief, Lived and Died in Disbelief – They are doomed.
- Born in Faith, Died in Disbelief – They lose everything.
- Born in Disbelief, Died in Faith – They are saved.
Reflect: Which category do you want to fall into? Faith is not something to take for granted.
2. The Second Deadly Sin: The Tongue – Backbiting (Gheebat) and Slander
The Power and Danger of the Tongue
The tongue can bless or curse, uplift or humiliate, bring joy or cause hurt. In Islam, the consequences of harmful speech are severe.
Backbiting (Gheebat) and Its Consequences
Backbiting is talking behind someone’s back about something that is true but would hurt them if they heard it. Even if it’s true, it’s still Gheebat. If it's false, it becomes slander (Buhtan).
Hadiths on Backbiting:
Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said:
"Al Gheebatu Ashaddu min az-Zina" ("Backbiting is worse than adultery.")
- Why? Because adultery, though a major sin, can be forgiven by Allah upon sincere repentance. However, backbiting requires forgiveness from the person you spoke about before Allah will forgive you.
- Imagine: Years of prayers, charity, and fasting wiped away by a few careless words!
3. The Third Deadly Sin: Envy (Hasad)
What is Envy?
Envy is feeling pain or resentment at someone else's blessings. It’s not just wishing for the same but wishing they lose it.
Hadith on Envy:
- Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) warned:
"Iyyakum wal Hasad, fa'innal Hasada ya'kulul hasanaat kama ta'kulun naaru al-hatab"
("Beware of envy, for envy eats up good deeds just as fire consumes wood.")
Reflect: Do you celebrate others' success, or does it secretly bother you? Remember, envy harms you more than anyone else.
4. The Fourth Deadly Sin: Showing Off (Riya / Dikhawa)
What is Riya / Dhikhawa?
Riya is performing good deeds to be seen and praised by others rather than for the sake of Allah. It’s a subtle but deadly form of hypocrisy.
Hadith on Showing Off:
- Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said:
"On the Day of Judgment, those who performed deeds to show off will be told to seek their reward from those they were trying to impress."
5. The Fifth Deadly Sin: Reminding of Charity (Sadaka)
What is Mann?
Mann is when someone gives charity but later reminds the recipient to make them feel grateful or indebted.
Quranic Warning Against Mann:
- Surah Al-Baqarah (2:264):
"O you who believe! Do not invalidate your charities with reminders of your generosity or hurtful words, like one who spends his wealth only to be seen by people."
Reflect: Do you give charity for Allah or to boost your ego?
Ready to Safeguard Your Good Deeds?
Share this article to protect your loved ones from the deadly sins that erase good deeds. Let’s safeguard our good deeds together and strive for Paradise by guarding our tongues.
May Allah grant us the wisdom and discipline to guard our tongues and protect our good deeds. Ameen!
