Piety And Good Deeds

Abel and Cain offered sacrifices to God but He accepted Abel’s sacrifice while He rejected the other.

In this relation, God says: “Allah only accepts from those who guard (against evil).” [1]

18) Piety And Nearness To God

About the honor people have with God, He says: “O you men! Surely We have created you of a male and female , and made you tribes and families that you  may know each other; surely the most honorable of you with Allah is the one among you most careful (of his duty);surely Allah is knowing, Aware.” [2]

Someone asked Prophet Jesus (AS): “Which people are the better ones?”

Prophet Jesus (AS) took two handfuls of earth, saying: “Neither of these has preference over the other. Rather they are equal. People too are as such. The most honorable of them are those who are most careful (of their duty).” [3]

On the relation of the Quranic Sura of al-Hujurat, the verse 13, commentators have written: “One day, the Holy prophet of Islam (SAW) was walking in the market of Medina. He saw a salve on sale. The salve kept on saying: ‘Whoever buys me should let me perform my daily prayers.’” A man bought him with the same condition. Thereafter, whenever the Holy  

Prophet (SAW) performed daily prayers, the slave would take part in them too. A few days passed, but there was no news of the salve. The Holy prophet (SAW) asked after him. They said: He suffers from fever. The Holy prophet (SAW) went to visit him. After three days, the Holy Prophet inquired after his health. His master said: He is dead. The Holy Prophet (SAW) personally took charge of performing his burial service. Both the Muhajireen and the Ansar were surprised. God Almighty revealed the above mentioned verse indicating that lineage is no honor, rather it is piety which brings about honor.” [1]

Imam Sajjad (AS) has been reported by Abu Hamzah ath-Thumali as saying: “There is no privilege for Quraish over the Arabs save due to modesty, and no honor save due to piety; no knowledge save due to good intention and no prayer save due to mindfulness.” [2]