Good Deeds (Advice to a Customer)

Asalaam alaikum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuhu. I get asked all the time about what the "thing" on my head is called, if I'm a Muslim or not and why I chose Islaam. It is pretty rare that I get asked my opinion on what someone else should do with their life but a couple of days ago, that happened.

An older man who is a semi regular customer at my store came in for his drink and snack. He is a veteran of the US military although I don't think he told me which branch, and works (or at least worked) for Goodwill next door. He is always friendly but this day I could tell he had something on his mind. I don't pry into the lives of others if I can help it so when he stopped in front of the counter wanting to talk, it was a little surprising. He said to me, "Can I ask you a question?" Without me really saying anything and a look that must have given him the go ahead, he continued, "If you didn't have to work, but wanted to for something to do, would you do what made you happy or would you stay somewhere you weren't happy at?" I replied without much hesitation, "if I didn't have to work at all but wanted something to do, I would definitely do what I loved regardless of pay but I would probably just volunteer instead. I would do the things that made me happiest without asking to be paid to do them." He just kind of looked at me in disbelief and said "Really??" "Absolutely" I said. "Because in Islam, we aren't just measured by how "good" or "bad" we were in our lives, we are measured by the good deeds that we do too."

I told him that I have always loved to volunteer or donate what I can. From working on building sites for Habitat for Humanity, to local animal shelters, to the regional food bank, canned food drives or donations to charities (money or items depending on what it is). I love to do it because there is a chance that it could make life better for someone else. It is easy to get wrapped up in our own lives and think that someone else will do it when it comes to helping out another person but I try to make sure I give when and where I can to remind myself that Allaah has truly blessed me with what little I might have. It is also a lesson that I try to instill in my kids and husband, as well as in others. I think it's important for us all to remember that no good deed goes unnoticed and they don't have to be big or extravagant. Just holding the door for the elderly man or woman or the mother who is juggling groceries and kids, or offering a warm smile and salaam to a stranger might seem like such small things but they could mean the world to the recipient.

I don't know if what I said to the man made a difference, he told me that was probably the last time he would be in for a while at least since he was most likely going to quit working next door, but I hope it gave him something to think about and some confidence to do what he believed to be right for himself. And who knows, maybe he will be giving Islam a chance one day in sha Allaah.