Knowledge & Devotion · Virtues of Good Deeds

Rewards and Practices in Islamic Life

Explore how various actions and beliefs lead to spiritual rewards according to Islam.

10 questions · Hard · about 6 minutes

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10 questions, about 6 minutes.

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1. How can a woman seek high ranks in Paradise?

  • By learning the revelation, following the Sunnah sincerely, and doing the deeds Allah has legislated for her. (correct answer)
  • By competing with men in roles specifically assigned to them.
  • By wishing for what Allah gave others instead of acting.
  • By relying only on the number of deeds without sincerity or excellence.

Why

A woman can attain high ranks in Paradise through correct knowledge and acting upon it. The path is not to compete with men in matters Allah assigned to them, but to seek what Allah legislated for her and perfect it. Many great deeds are available to her, including reciting Qur’an, dhikr, voluntary fasting, prayer, charity, sincerity, following the Prophet ﷺ, knowledge of revelation, and strong actions of the heart such as fear of Allah, love for Him, and desire for the Hereafter.

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2. What is one way to seek barakah in wealth, family, and life?

  • Upholding the ties of kinship. (correct answer)
  • Dealing in riba to increase wealth.
  • Concealing defects in transactions.
  • Cutting off relatives to avoid responsibility.

Why

Barakah is sought by obeying Allah and His Messenger ﷺ, repenting and seeking forgiveness, avoiding prohibited matters, giving thanks for blessings, following Islamic etiquette, reciting prescribed adhkar, and maintaining taqwa. One of the greatest deeds through which barakah may be sought is upholding kinship ties. The Prophet ﷺ said that whoever would like his provision increased and his life extended should uphold the ties of kinship.

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3. What kind of pride is praiseworthy in Islam?

  • Pride in Islam, obedience to Allah, and belonging to the people of faith. (correct answer)
  • Pride in lineage, wealth, status, or ancestry.
  • Looking down on people because of one’s worship.
  • Boasting over others and transgressing against them.

Why

Feeling honoured by Islam and proud of belonging to the religion is prescribed and praiseworthy. True honour belongs to Allah, His Messenger ﷺ, and the believers, and it is sought through obedience to Allah. But pride based on lineage, ancestry, wealth, status, or looking down on Allah’s slaves is blameworthy. The good form is happiness that Allah enabled one to obey Him, along with gratitude and humility, not arrogance over others.

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4. What does it mean for someone’s heart to be attached to the mosque?

  • His heart remains strongly connected to the mosque because of deep love for it. (correct answer)
  • He must be the appointed imam of the mosque.
  • He must physically spend nearly all his time there.
  • He must donate the most money to the mosque.

Why

One of those whom Allah will shade on the Day when there is no shade except His shade is a man whose heart is attached to the mosque. This means that his heart is so strongly attached to the mosque that even when he leaves, his heart is still there. It may also mean deep love for the mosque. The virtue is about sincere attachment to worship and the mosque, not merely holding an official position or making donations.

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5. What glad tidings are given to a parent whose child dies and who praises Allah and says “Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji‘un”?

  • Allah commands that a house of praise be built for that parent in Paradise. (correct answer)
  • The parent is allowed to question Allah’s decree.
  • The child is immediately tested again in the Hereafter.
  • The parent no longer needs to make du‘a for the deceased.

Why

When a person’s child dies and he responds with praise of Allah and says “Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji‘un,” Allah commands that a house be built for that slave in Paradise and called the house of praise. This is glad tidings for the patient believer who accepts Allah’s decree and seeks reward. The source also encourages du‘a and charity on behalf of the deceased.

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6. What should a Muslim avoid from the start of Dhu’l-Hijjah if he intends to offer an udhiyah?

  • Cutting his hair and nails until after the sacrifice. (correct answer)
  • Giving charity during the ten days.
  • Performing extra prayers.
  • Washing his head.

Why

Whoever intends to offer an udhiyah should stop cutting his hair and nails, and should not remove anything from his skin, from the beginning of the first ten days of Dhu’l-Hijjah until he has offered the sacrifice. If he needs to remove something because it is causing harm, such as a broken nail or hair around a wound, there is nothing wrong with doing so. Washing the head is not included in the prohibition.

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7. What is special about the first ten days of Dhu’l-Hijjah?

  • Righteous deeds in them are especially beloved to Allah, and they are the best days of the year. (correct answer)
  • They are the only days when good deeds are accepted.
  • They are less virtuous than ordinary weekdays.
  • They replace the last ten nights of Ramadan.

Why

The first ten days of Dhu’l-Hijjah are among the special seasons of worship. Allah preferred them over all other days of the year, and righteous deeds during them are more beloved to Allah. The last ten nights of Ramadan are better than other nights because they include Laylat al-Qadr, but the first ten days of Dhu’l-Hijjah are the best days. These days include Yawm ‘Arafah, the Day of Sacrifice, and the days of Hajj and udhiyah.

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8. What reward is mentioned for reciting Soorat al-Ikhlas twenty times?

  • It is equivalent to reading the Qur’an seven times. (correct answer)
  • It guarantees forgiveness without repentance.
  • It replaces all daily prayers.
  • It must be done only while standing in prayer.

Why

One way to benefit from even a single minute is to recite Soorat al-Ikhlas repeatedly. Reciting Soorat al-Ikhlas once is equivalent to one-third of the Qur’an, so reciting it twenty times is equivalent to reading the Qur’an seven times. The article lists this as one example of many short righteous deeds a Muslim can do during small moments of free time.

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9. What should a Muslim say when afflicted by calamity?

  • “Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji‘un. Allahumma ajirni fi musibati wakhluf li khayran minha.” (correct answer)
  • Words of anger against Allah’s decree.
  • A statement denying that calamities can bring reward.
  • A vow never to be patient again.

Why

When calamity strikes, a Muslim should say, “Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji‘un. Allahumma ajirni fi musibati wakhluf li khayran minha,” meaning: “Verily to Allah we belong and unto Him is our return. O Allah, reward me for my calamity and compensate me with something better than it.” Whoever says this sincerely is promised compensation with something better. This is part of responding to calamity with faith, patience, and hope in Allah’s reward.

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10. When is true patience most important during a calamity?

  • When the calamity first strikes. (correct answer)
  • Only after anger has already passed.
  • Only when the reason for the calamity is fully understood.
  • After a person has complained to everyone.

Why

True patience is shown when calamity first strikes, before panic and impatience take over. The Prophet ﷺ taught this to a woman who was weeping at a grave. Patience does not mean a person feels no sadness; rather, faith protects him from anger against Allah’s decree, forbidden speech, and forbidden actions. Higher levels include acceptance and gratitude, but the first required response is patience.

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A note on these answers

These questions are for learning and self-testing. Explanations are drawn from the sources linked on each question and are not a fatwa. For a ruling on your own circumstances, please consult a qualified scholar.

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