Are our religious actions of the best possible quality?
As believers in the Almighty we do engage in various acts of worship in our daily life. However, what we need to do is, take out some time to reflect and analyze the quality of our religious actions. Ask ourselves the question:
'Am I improving in my religious conditions? Or have all these actions become mere rituals and customs?'
In a verse of the Noble Quraan, Almighty Allah says; "The One Who created death and life, so that He put you to test, to find out which of you is best in deeds: He is the All-Mighty, the All-forgiving."[67:2]
In this verse Almighty Allah points out that he tests man with regards to the actions they carry out. The reason for this is to observe whose actions are of the highest caliber and standard.
Now, how do we add quality to our deeds and religious actions?
There are two things that we need to focus on. The first is the physical dimension of our actions and the second a spiritual dimension. Focusing on the physical dimension entails that every act of worship is observed correctly. If an action is not fulfilled in a correct manner, not done in the accordance to the way outlined by the Prophet Muhammed Peace be upon him, it will not be accepted. Instead it will be rejected.
The spiritual dimension entails that we be sincere in our actions. Our actions should be done only to seek the pleasure of the Almighty. Examples of true sincerity were found in the lives of the companions of Prophet Muhammed Peace be upon him.
The Muslim army had conquered Syria and marched on to Persia. Saad bin Abi Waqaas was the ruler of the army. He suffered from a sickness, which resulted in the degeneration of the spinal cord. Therefore, he would no longer remain in the front line. He remained in his tent all day. From there he would give instructions. One day a soldier came to him with something wrapped up in a cloth. He sat in front of Saad. Saad inquired regarding his general well being. After some light talk, the soldier unwrap what was in the cloth and presented it to Saad. It was the crown of the emperor of Persia, made out of gold and encrusted with different gems and pearls. He said to Saad; " I am giving this to the public treasury. Saad accepted it and thanked him. Thereafter, the soldier stood up to leave. ( The Muslim army was huge and Saad was not acquainted with every individual) Saad said to him: 'Wait, let me record your name in the register, so that someday I may present to you remuneration for your contribution. The soldier responded to this by saying; "There is no need for that, my name has been recorded by the angles in the heavens, there is absolutely no need to record it over here."
The fore-mentioned incident illustrates to us the true essences of sincerity.
To sum it up, we need to realise that Almighty Allah has sent us in this world so that we do actions that are of a high caliber and quality. Together with increasing the quantity of acts of worship we also need to increase the quality of it.