Do Good Regardless of Others

Jami` at-Tirmidhi 2007
Hudhaifah narrated that the Messenger of Allah said: “Do not be a people without a will of your own, saying: ‘If people treat us well, we will treat them well; and if they do wrong, we will do wrong,’ but accustom yourselves to do good if people do good, and do not behave unjustly if they do evil.”

• In this hadith, the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) is advising the believers not to simply react to the behavior of others. He is warning them against becoming passive, and not having a will of their own. He is encouraging them to cultivate a proactive attitude and to be steadfast in doing good, even when others are not treating them well. The Prophet (peace be upon him) is teaching us that we should not let the actions of others dictate our behavior. Instead, we should be people of principle who always strive to do good, regardless of how others treat us. We should not repay evil with evil, but instead, we should seek to respond with kindness and fairness. This hadith reminds us of the importance of developing good character and upholding moral values, even in the face of adversity.

Qur’anic References

📖 Surah Al-Ma’idah (5:8)
“O you who have believed, be persistently standing firm for Allah, witnesses in justice, and do not let the hatred of a people prevent you from being just. Be just; that is nearer to righteousness. And fear Allah; indeed, Allah is Acquainted with what you do.”
🔹 This verse emphasizes that justice should be upheld even towards those who wrong us.

📖 Surah Fussilat (41:34-35)
“The good deed and the evil deed are not equal. Repel evil with what is better, and you will see that the one who was once your enemy has become your close friend. But none will attain this except those who are patient, and none will attain this except one who has a great portion (of good).”
🔹 This teaches that responding with goodness and patience has the power to turn enmity into friendship.

📖 Surah Al-Baqarah (2:267)
“O you who have believed, spend from the good things which you have earned and from that which We have produced for you from the earth. And do not aim at the defective therefrom, spending [only] while you would not take it [yourself] except with closed eyes. And know that Allah is Free of need and Praiseworthy.”
🔹 This verse encourages generosity, teaching that believers should help the poor and give charity from the best of their wealth, not just what is left over.

📖 Surah Al-Insan (76:8-9)
“And they give food, in spite of love for it, to the needy, the orphan, and the captive, saying, ‘We feed you only for the countenance of Allah. We wish not from you reward or gratitude.'”
🔹 This verse highlights the selfless nature of true believers, who help others solely for Allah’s pleasure.

Conclusion

This hadith teaches that a true believer does not let others’ behavior dictate their own. Instead, they should stand for justice, remain kind, help the needy, and repel evil with good. These values, reinforced by the Qur’an, encourage Muslims to be proactive in righteousness, rather than reactive to others’ actions.