Show charity and goodwill towards others and it will be returned to you

Islam directs people to do acts of good and charity and, in return, their affairs will be eased by Allah.

Friday’s sermon reminds Muslims of the benefits of doing favours for others and spreading acts of generosity and goodwill.

A verse from the Quran says: “Worship your Lord, and do good, that happily ye may prosper.”

“They used to vie one with the other in good deeds, and they cried unto Us in longing and in fear, and were submissive unto Us,” says another verse.

Prophet Mohammed was also quoted on various occasions giving instructions on how to do good deeds.

In one hadith, he was reported as saying: “Whoever has an extra camel, let him give it to one who has none, and whoever has extra provisions let him give them to someone who has none.”

Polite talk and noble treatment of others are equally encouraged, as the Quran says: “Spend your wealth for the cause of Allah, and be not cast by your own hands to ruin; and do good. Lo! Allah loveth the beneficent.”

Acts of good are numerous and have many shapes and forms: “A good word is a good deed, and preventing harm for others is also a good deed, and to spend all means to do good for others is a good deed,” the sermon continues.

As Prophet Mohammed once said: “Do not belittle any small act of kindness even if it is to pour water from your bucket into the vessel of the one who asks for it or to talk to your brother with a cheerful face.

“One who removes a stone from the way has a good deed written for him, and one for whom a good deed is written shall enter Paradise.”