5.11. THE BEST DEEDS AFTER THE OBLIGATORY MATTERS
Regarding your question about the most virtuous deeds (afdal al-amal) after the obligations (fara’id), the answer depends on one’s ability and schedule and there is no detailed answer that fits everyone. However, what is basically agreed upon by those who have been granted knowledge about Allah and His matter is that constant remembrance of Allah at all times is the best thing one can do in general.
This is supported by the hadith of Abu Hurayrah ( radijAllahu (anhu) related by Muslim: “The loners (mufarriduri) have preceded.” The Companions asked: “O Messenger of Allah, who are the loners?” replied: “The men and women who remember Allah abundantly.”
Abu Dawud relates from Abu’l-Darda’ (radiyAllahu ‘anhu) that the Prophet said: ‘Should I tell you about the best of your deeds, the purest of them before your true King, and the highest of them in your ranks? It is better for you than giving out gold and silver or meeting your enemy and striking their necks while they too strike yours.’ They said : ‘Do tell us, O messenger of Allah!’ So he said: ‘The remembrance of Allah.’
The Qur’an points to this fact in many ways and its numerous manifestations in people’s faith can be seen, heard, and contemplated.
The least that one can do is stick to the words of remembrance (adhkar pi’dhikr) narrated from the teacher of goodness and the leader of the righteous. These include the remembrance performed at fixed times like the first and last part of the day, prior to sleep and after waking up, and right after the five daily prayers. There is also the remembrance prescribed for specific situations like eating and drinking, getting dressed, sexual intercourse, entering the house, going and leaving the toilet, and during rain and thunder. There are books that have been written on these exclusively called the Deeds of Day and Night (Amal al-Yawm wa al-layla).
By Shaykhu’l-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah
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