If we want Allah to forgive us, we should be forgiving of others and willing to overlook their wrongs. This is part of what it means to be good to others. Allah describes his believing servants as “those who restrain their anger and are pardoning towards people.” He then says: “Indeed, Allah loves those who do good.” [Sūrah Āl `Imrān: 134] Indeed, Allah says: “And let not those of you who possess wealth and abundance swear against giving to the near of kin and the poor and those who have had to emigrate for Allah’s sake. They should forgive and forebear. Do you not love that Allah should forgive you? And Allah is Forgiving, Merciful.” [Sūrah al-Nūr: 22] Righteous deeds of all kinds bring us closer to Allah, but especially kindness to others. We should show kindness to...

There can be no doubt that human beings need each other. We all need other people. Likewise, many other people depend on each one of us. People in society assist each other and serve each other’s needs, even in ways that we are often unaware of. However, we do not rely on others in the same way that we rely on Allah. We know that He alone is Self-Subsisting, Self-Sufficient. All the sustenance we have and all the success we enjoy ultimately stems from Him. Being aware of this fact is crucial. Someone who understands this and believes this will always retain his or her dignity. There is a great difference between helping one another in a dignified manner as part of the natural course of social existence – the best manifestation of which is to help one another in righteousness and...

Because of the comprehensive culmination of their unique yet coexistent personalities, the Ṣaḥābah were the greatest generation in human history. While the Prophets and Messengers of Allāh were more beloved by Him, higher ranking in Jannah, and more pure in their īmān (faith), they did not all live during the same period to form a single generation. The companions of Muhammad (ṣallallāhu ‘alayhi wa sallam), who are the highest caliber believers after the Prophets, lived together in the same lifetime as the Messenger of Allah (ṣallallāhu ‘alayhi wa sallam), enabling them to be the greatest generation. “The best people are those living in my generation, and then those who will follow them, and then those who will follow the latter…” Sahih Bukhāri But they...