6 Ways to Measure Good Deeds | Ustadh Abu Unays

Summary

The speaker emphasizes that life is about accumulating 'hasanat' or good deeds, which serve as a form of currency in the afterlife. These good deeds are measured in various ways: quantity, weight, validity, acceptability, longevity, and outcome. The speaker encourages listeners to measure and track their good deeds, competing with others for greater rewards in the hereafter. The accumulation of hasanat not only benefits individuals but can also elevate their families in paradise. The speaker highlights the importance of good deeds in securing a higher rank and a better lifestyle in the eternal life.

Takeaways

• 🌟 This life is all about accumulating hasanat (good deeds), as they serve as currency for eternal joys and delights in the Hereafter.
• 💰 Hasanat are essential for covering penalties and claims against you in the Afterlife, much like an insurance policy.
• 📊 Good deeds (hasanat) can be measured in six ways: quantity, weight, validity, acceptability, longevity, and outcomes.
• 🔢 The first way to measure good deeds is by quantity, where certain actions like reciting letters from the Quran or praying in congregation are assigned specific rewards.
• ⚖️ The second measurement is weight, where certain deeds, although small or easy, carry significant weight in the afterlife.
• ✅ The third way is validity: A good deed must meet specific conditions to be considered valid (e.g., proper performance of prayer or fasting).
• 🎯 The fourth way is acceptability: Only some good deeds are rewarded in the Hereafter, and deficiencies in their performance may reduce the reward.
• ⏳ The fifth way is longevity, referring to deeds that continue to accumulate rewards over time (e.g., charity that has lasting benefits).
• 🏆 The sixth way is outcome, where good deeds have specific results, such as gaining proximity to Paradise or being distanced from Hellfire.
• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Accumulating hasanat not only benefits the individual but also their family, as higher levels of Paradise can be shared with loved ones through one’s good deeds.

Q & A

What is the purpose of accumulating hasanat (good deeds) in this life?

Hasanat, or good deeds, serve as the currency of trade in the Hereafter. They are what you use to buy your eternal joys, lifestyle, and security in the afterlife.

How can we measure good deeds according to the speaker?

Good deeds can be measured in six ways: quantity, weight, validity, acceptability, longevity, and result/outcome.

What is an example of measuring good deeds by quantity?

An example is when the Prophet said that reciting a letter from the Qur'an gives ten rewards. This assigns a specific quantity to that good deed.

How can we measure good deeds by weight?

Good deeds have weight on the scales of judgment. For example, saying 'SubhanAllah' is light on the tongue but heavy on the scales.

What does 'validity' mean in the context of good deeds?

Validity refers to whether a good deed meets the required conditions for it to be considered valid. For instance, a prayer must meet certain conditions to be valid.

What is 'acceptability' in the context of good deeds?

Acceptability means whether a good deed is eligible for reward in the Hereafter. For example, some people’s good deeds may be rewarded in this life but not in the Hereafter.

What does the speaker mean by the 'longevity' of good deeds?

Longevity refers to how long a good deed continues to bring rewards. Some deeds, like building a mosque, continue to accumulate rewards as long as the mosque is used.

How does the result or outcome of a good deed factor into measuring it?

Some good deeds have specific outcomes, like fasting for a day for Allah’s sake, which distances a person from Hellfire by 70 years. These outcomes can be used to measure the impact of the deed.

What is the significance of measuring hasanat in this life?

Measuring and counting your good deeds in this life motivates you to do better, and ultimately, it determines your final position in the Hereafter.

How can accumulating hasanat benefit one’s family in the Hereafter?

The speaker explains that if a person accumulates enough hasanat to reach higher levels of Paradise, Allah may elevate their family members to join them, even if their deeds were less.