18th Hadith - Follow Up a Bad Deed with a Good Deed (Thirmidhi: 1987)

الحديث الثامن عشر 

عَنْ أَبِي ذَرّ جُنْدُبْ بْنِ جُنَادَةَ وَأَبِي عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ مُعَاذ بْن جَبَلٍ رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْهُمَا عَنْ رَسُوْلِ اللهِ صلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ قَالَ : اِتَّقِ اللهَ حَيْثُمَا كُنْتَ، وَأَتْبِعِ السَّيِّئَةَ الْحَسَنَةَ تَمْحُهَا، وَخَالِقِ النَّاسَ بِخُلُقٍ حَسَنٍ 

[رواه الترمذي وقال حديث حسن وفي بعض النسخ حسن صحيح]

18th Hadith Translation

Abu-Dhar-Jundub Bin Junadah (R.A.) and Abu Abdul-Rahman-Muadh Bin Jabal (R.A.) reported that the Messenger of Allah (S.A.W.) said:

“Fear Allah wherever you may be; follow up an evil deed with a good one which will wipe (the former) out, and behave good-naturedly towards people.”

(Thirmidhi: 1987)

Brief Narration

Taqwa (to fear Allah) means to protect one own self from the severe punishment of Allah by following His guidance and it is one of the most important and comprehensive Islamic concepts. However, fearing Allah is only one aspect of this comprehensive concept. Ali-Ibn-Abi-Talib (R.A.) defines it as: “Fearing Allah, adhering to His commandments, being content with what He provides one with, and getting ready for the Day of Judgment.”

Taqwa is to fulfill obligations and avoid prohibitions and doubtful matters. It is the advice of Allah to all humankind, and it is the advice of all Prophets to their people.

To fear Allah the Almighty, to adhere to His commandments, to follow doing a bad deed with a good deed to wipe it out, and to deal with others in a good manner and good character are all aspects of the concept of Taqwa and this the essence of this Hadith.

  (Reference: Commentary of Forty Hadiths of An-Nawawi by Dr. Jamal Ahmed Badi)