Avoiding Evil Is also Goodness

Bismi Llāhi r-Raḥmāni r-Raḥīm

Allāh ‘Azza wa-Jalla says,

‘وَافْعَلُوا الْخَيْرَ’

(Qur’ān 22:77)

‘Wa f’alū l-khayra’

‘And do goodness.’ Ṣadaqa Llāhu l-‘Aẓīm.

In Qur’ān ‘Aẓīmu sh-Sha’n, there is a command: “Do good.” For a believer—for a Muslim—this is a command. Those who do good shall prosper, while those who commit evil will face the consequences of their own actions. Therefore, one must strive to constantly perform good deeds.

Even a seemingly small act can be considered a “good deed,” depending on one’s intention. By consistently performing good, a person develops a habit of doing good, and in turn, moves further away from evil and wrongdoing.

Unfortunately, people today stay away from performing good deeds. Their ego tends to lean more toward evil—it is more inclined toward it. We see this in the prevalence of harmful habits—from alcohol and gambling to, regrettably, drug use.

Every day, we hear complaints: “My son does this,” or “My husband is involved in these things.” These are all forms of evil—they are certainly not “good.” Such wrongdoing harms the individual first, then those around them, and ultimately, it harms the entire ummah.

Therefore, stay away from evil. By avoiding evil, you are, in effect, performing a good deed—it counts as a virtuous act, and you earn thawāb.

If, however, you approach evil, it will harm you; it burdens you with sin, and there will be a penalty in the Hereafter. Even in this world, people inevitably suffer the consequences of such actions.

May Allāh ﷻ grant them rectification. May Allāh ﷻ make us all among those who perform good deeds, in shā’a Llāh. Wa min Allah at-Tawfiq.

Al-Fatiha.

•⁠ ⁠Mawlana Sheikh Muhammad Adil ar-Rabbaniق

10 November 2026/ 30 Jumada al-Awwal 1448

Fajr Prayer – Akbaba Dergah, Istanbul

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