Small Kindnesses

I’d like to think I’m a good person, having all the personality gems – kindness, generosity, compassion and love for all. But it’s rather easy to perceive myself in such a glorified light when I am my own judge and jury. I mean I’m not going to be too hard on myself; after all I do my best – I don’t go around blowing rings of smoke in people’s faces, nor do I have a loud annoying laugh that deafens the public! I don’t bully innocent folk, blow up buses or incite any sort of hatred. So it’s quite reasonable to say that I am well and truly on the safe side when it comes to being ‘humanely qualified'. Right?...

…Wrong! After much quarrelling and bantering between the goody-two-shoes adorable angel and the fiery red devil within me - the imagery of my conscience and ego, I am left with no option than to side with the little angel, much to the anger of the opponent who is furiously sulking away in defeat. (Thank Goodness!)...

Although I may not be the nasty bully, the inconsiderate idiot or the mentally hijacked extremist – I am still left wondering with the thought ‘how am I helping others?’ ‘How can I as a human being – as a Muslim, uplift myself on the scale of making a difference?’, and trust me I have many similar thoughts which roll on forever - but thoughts without action is like having a scrumptious double chocolate sundae with double cream right in front of you and not having a spoon anywhere in sight! (Okay maybe not the best example) ...but the point I’m trying to make is that there is always room for improvement when it comes to our personal character and attitude towards others in our life and in society at large, and this requires some action on our part.

Now don’t get me wrong, I’m not talking about setting off on a revolutionary process of ‘changing the world’ where anything and everything coming in the way gets destroyed faster than you can say ‘hey I’m only trying to help!’ – No, I’m talking about the small kindness that goes a very long way.

Maybe we should take a day out of our busy schedules and dedicate it entirely on increasing (or even starting from scratch) our ‘small kindnesses’. Forget fussing over which trendy hijab to wear today or whether or not your hair is gelled up enough (brothers are just as conscious of their looks as sisters!) and why not try wearing a big, warm smile while you’re out and about – a smile is charity and it doesn’t take much effort at all. I find it happens quite often while I’m out, some mutual stranger smiles at me with the sense that ‘we’re both human beings and capable of sharing kindness, whilst putting aside all stereotypes, regardless of race, religion or background’…and it feels great!

Small kindnesses such as these have been beautifully illustrated and taught to us by the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), and these should be the signature trademarks of every Muslim, young and old.
There are many small yet effective actions we can introduce in our lives which can really make a difference – unfortunately time is of the essence and I must end this very short article here, but I would love to know your views on this, what small yet powerful kindnesses can we incorporate into our lives?