By Abdullahi Jamaa
To be a Muslim is to be smart and intelligent. The secret of the blessed religion of Islam is to move with ease in crediting your akheera account, earning rewards from simple yet meritorious acts of Ibadah, what I call the bonga points of rewards that are up for grabs.
Opportunities for simple acts of Ibadah presents themselves in almost every avenue of worship. Sadly we neglect these treasures quite often, immersing ourselves into a state of spiritual laxity missing out not just the big things but also the doable itsy-bitsy.
We procrastinate a lot about immense spiritual deeds that we never do because of our lack of religious discipline. All that we do is having a master plan for deeds which most often remain a pipe dream.
It is a question of physical vision with spiritual comprehension that matters in alacrity of worship. The bolts and nuts that tighten the spiritual, mental and physical setup must be greased with these small secrets.
Today our focus is just about four things (they are many) and not the nitty-gritty of all apposite acts of worship but the manifold minutia which makes Ibadah much more interesting and reward-full.
If you have read James Clear’s book Atomic Habits, you know that tiny changes in your life propel remarkable results. He talks about how one percent increment in your daily actions can herald enormous success and fulfillment.
While James Clear said so in his 2018 book, our beloved prophet (peace be upon him) said 1400 years ago that ‘small but consistent actions make change’. The best efforts are those that are done over and over again however small they are.
This strategy of doing small but consistent action has been a habit for successful people. An honourable believer must learn how to develop new habits that make his worship easy and enjoyable. Islam is a practical and Muslims are required to be action-oriented.
Here I present four simple ways of earning rewards without struggle:
Always enter the Masjid with this powerful Dua
The beginning of everything matters. It is the most important part of one’s life that one must communicate with Allah in every way possible. And the best way considered to communicate with Allah is through making a Dua.
The Dua for entering Masjid is very important. While you put your right foot forward, you ask Allah to bestow you his boundless mercy. The mercy of Allah is everything you need, it concludes our dunya and akheera including our health, wealth and enjoyment of life.
Always leave the Masjid with this powerful dua
Translation: In the Name of Allah, and peace and blessings be upon the Messenger of Allah. O Allah, I ask for Your favor, O Allah, protect me from Satan the outcast.
Having prayed to your Lord and on time, here now you put your left forward and seek forgiveness from Allah and ask for his provisions. Leave the mosque with satisfaction and hope.
Recite Surah Ikhlas abundantly
The last juz of the Quran consists of one of the exemplary Surahs which, although is amongst the shortest ones, has the most profound implications. Surah Ikhlas is a Meccan Surah and is one of the earliest revelations of the Quran.
Anas ibn Malik (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: A man said, “O Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him), I love this chapter; Say: He is Allah, the One…”(112) The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said, “Your love for it will admit you into Paradise.”
Reciting Surah Ikhlas is one of the easiest ways to build a house in Jannah. The more we recite the more we earn easy rewards and prepare ourselves for the life ahead. Recite it abundantly in every opportunity you get.
Send blessings to our beloved prophet (peace be upon him)
Sending blessings upon the Prophet (peace be upon him) is one of the greatest acts of worship encouraged in Islam, and it is one of the most beneficial supplications for a person in this world and the hereafter. It is also a way of loving, venerating and respecting the Prophet.
Rewards are written; a person’s sins are forgiven; and his status is elevated. The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: “Whoever sends Salah upon me once, Allah will send Salah upon him ten-fold, and will erase ten sins from him, and will raise him ten degrees in status.”
