NOW & THEN #10: GOOD DEEDS

NOW & THEN #10 GOOD DEEDS
Friday, 5 March 2021



This morning, I watched an interview on a YouTube photography channel featuring a young, prolific, and successful photographer. He spoke passionately about the importance of doing good deeds for others. His words carried weight—his own success was built on the kindness and generosity of others who helped him along the way. He urged his audience to continue doing good, paying forward the compassion he once received. I believe he will indeed do the same, just as others did for him. The power of sincere kindness and the joy it brings are beyond words.
More than 20 years ago, a schoolmate reached out to me. His daughter needed information about student accommodation at Hertfordshire Polytechnic in England. Back then, the internet was still in its infancy—there was no Google Maps, no social media, and very little online guidance. Fortunately, through my blogging connections at the time, I knew someone who lived nearby. I emailed him, asking if he could help.
To my amazement, he drove 10 kilometers just to gather the information. He confirmed the location of the women’s hostel and replied with all the necessary details. I was deeply touched by his willingness to help a stranger. My friend, whose daughter received the information, was incredibly grateful too. Such acts of kindness, especially for someone you’ve never met, are rare—but they leave a lasting impression.
In May 2012, I visited a Dutch friend who was unwell in Leiden, Holland. Before returning home, I decided to make a detour to the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam. Though I’m not an artist, I’ve come to appreciate art more as I age. My interest began when a wealthy boss once took me to Sotheby’s in London, where priceless masterpieces are auctioned. Later, during a family holiday in 1997, I took my children to see the Mona Lisa at the Musée du Louvre. As they say, the rest is history.
Upon arriving at Amsterdam Centraal, I took a bus toward the Van Gogh Museum. Engrossed in a paper map, I missed my stop—actually, two stops past it. I got off the bus confused and unsure of which direction to take. I felt lost and slightly anxious. How I wished Waze or Google Maps existed back then!
As I stood there, a young woman approached. I greeted her and asked if she could show me the way to the museum. She smiled and said, “Follow me.” I didn’t want to trouble her, knowing the walk would take at least ten minutes. I simply asked her to point out the way on my map. To my surprise, she insisted I walk with her.
Along the way, we chatted. She wasn’t Dutch—she looked Mediterranean. She told me she was a law student from Morocco, a Muslimah. That day, she had made a personal intention to do a good deed to earn Allah’s pleasure. Her prayer was answered—I was lost, and she was there to guide me. Both of us were blessed in that moment. Masya Allah—truly, Allah works in mysterious and beautiful ways.
Another moment of kindness came in 2003, when my dear friend Pak Wan Hulaimi took me to Paris. He’s excellent with paper maps and a master of public transport, having lived in London for many years. He was my navigator, my travel companion.
After visiting Notre-Dame, we walked to the legendary Shakespeare and Company bookshop. I still have a few treasured photos taken with George, the eccentric and kind-hearted owner—a British hippie from the 60s. As we entered, George casually asked if we needed a place to stay. Imagine that—offering strangers free accommodation! Though I thanked him sincerely, we chose to stay at a hotel.
Inside the shop, I was mesmerized by its character—the nooks, the thousands of books, the stories lingering in the air. I could have spent the entire day there, soaking in its charm. As I stepped outside, I noticed a simple but profound message engraved on the steps:
“Be kind to strangers, they may be angels in disguise.”
In Islam, even a smile is an act of charity. And from my own experiences, kindness has a boomerang effect. It finds its way back to you, often when you least expect it. Truly, Allah loves the muhsinin—those who do good with sincerity.
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