By Dr. Norlain Dindang Mababaya

Meaning of Righteousness

Why should we strive for righteousness?  And how do we attain righteousness or become righteous Muslims?  We Muslims need to ponder and reflect on these important questions.  We need to look for the correct answers, which could only come from the Qur’ân and the Sunnah.  In this way, we attain success, especially supreme success in the eternal life hereafter.  Before we try to answer these questions and discuss other pertaining topics on righteousness, let us first know the meaning of righteousness in Islâm.

Islâm is the only Religion and the only Way of Life that teaches us the true meaning of righteousness based on Divine Injunctions. Allâh says in His Book:

“It is not righteousness that you turn your faces toward East or West; but it is righteousness to believe in Allâh and the Last Day, and the Angels, and the Book, and the Messengers; to spend of your substance, out of love for Him, for your kin, for orphans, for the needy, for the wayfarer, for those who ask, and for the ransom of slaves; to be steadfast in prayer, and practice regular charity; to fulfill the contracts which you have made; and to be firm and patient, in pain [or suffering] and adversity, and throughout all periods of panic. Such are the people of truth, the God-fearing.”    (Qur’ân 2: 177)

The above Verse tells us that the righteous are those Muslims who not do not only perform the pillars of Islâm, which include among others the prayers and the giving of charity but also they are truly mu’minoon (Faithful believers). They firmly believe in the six articles of faith. They show their true and sincere faith in Allâh not only by praying to Him but also by doing other forms of ibadah (worship) and other good deeds.  They are firm in their belief and deeds and they show patience in whatever trials that Allâh may bring to them. They are those who are truthful and who fear Allâh.  In other words, they have ihsan (perfection  or purity in faith), which make them among the muhsinoon or mutaqoon (god-fearing Muslims).

Allâh’s Messenger defines righteousness in the following hâdîth:

Wabisha ibn Wa’bad narrated that Allâh’s Messenger said, “…Righteousness is that with which the soul is tranquil and the heart is tranquil, but sin is that which rouses suspicion in the soul and is perplexing in the breast, even if people give you a decision in its favor.”   (Tirmidhi  2774)

From the above definitions of righteousness in Islªm, the righteous individuals are those who perform all acts of good deeds which Allâh and His Messenger have commanded us to do.  In their hearts are contentment and peace because they  know that what they are doing are forms of ibadah (worship), which please Allâh the Almighty.  They know and believe that Allâh fulfills His promise.  Allâh the Most Merciful grants everlasting and great rewards to those who believe and do righteous deeds:

“For those who believe and work righteous deeds there will be Gardens of Bliss to dwell therein.  The promise of Allâh is true: and He is Exalted in power Wise.”    (Qur’ân 31:8-9)

Allâh’s promise for supreme success to those who believe and do righteous deeds motivates the Muslims to do more righteous deeds. Thus, the righteous Muslims are expected to be assets and not liabilities to the society, to which they belong, and to humanity as a whole.  This is because their good deeds bring benefits not only for themselves but also for their families, relatives, friends, neighbors, and the society at large.