Spread the Acts of Kindness

  Spread the Acts of Kindness

Samina Tariq  Khan. Calgary

“Emotional warmth associated with act of kindness produces the hormone oxytocin, in the brain and throughout the body. Oxytocin causes the release of a chemical called nitric oxide in blood vessels, which dilates (expands) the blood vessels considered as beneficial effect on blood pressure, meaning kindness is good for heart”.[1] 

Domino Effect: David Hamilton writes, “When we’re kind we inspire others to be kind.  Studies show that it creates a ripple effect that spreads outwards to our friends’ friends’ friends to 3-degrees of separation. Just as a pebble creates waves when it is dropped in a pond. In the New England Journal of Medicine, it was named “The ‘domino effect.’ [1]

Release Happy Hormones: When we engage in actions of kindness, hormones which boost serotonin, the neurotransmitter responsible for feelings of well-being and satisfaction are released.[2]

David Hamilton writes, “on a biochemical level, it is believed that the good feeling we get is due to elevated levels of the brain’s natural versions of morphine and heroin, which we know as endogenous opioids. They cause elevated levels of dopamine in the brain and so we get a natural high, often referred to as ‘Helper’s High’”.[1]

Kindness is not just an action we do for right reasons, in fact this thought and action has a positive effect on our health, wealth, wellness and blessings in life.

Every Day Every Joint of The Human Body Requires a Charity: Abu Huraira(ra) reported Allah’s Messenger(ﷺ) as saying, “There is a charity to be given for every joint of the human body; and for every day on which the sun rises there is a reward of a charity for the one who establishes justice among two people. “If one helps a man with his animal in its loading or lifting of his goods, it is charity, a good word is charity, every step one takes towards prayer is charity and if anyone remove anything harmful from the road it is charity.” [ Bukhari and Muslim]

Acts of Kindness: Jabir and Hudaifa (ra) reported Allah’s Messenger(ﷺ) as saying, “Every act of Kindness is charity. [ Bukhari and Muslim]

Greet with Smile: “Kindness includes meeting your brother with a cheerful face and pouring water from your bucket into your brother’s vessel (Ahmed and Tirmidhi).

Remove Harmful Thing: Abu Hurairah (ra) reported Allah’s Messenger(ﷺ) as saying, “I have seen a man going about in Paradise as a reward for cutting down tree which was hanging over a road and annoying people.” [Muslim]

Give Gift: Aisha (ra) narrated Allah’s messenger(ﷺ) used to accept gifts and used to give something in return. [Bukhari. Kitab al hibah wa fadlaha 2585].

Be Kind with the Elders: Ibn Abbas narrated The Prophet(ﷺ) said, “Blessing is with your elders.”[Ibn Haban kitab-Albir wa- Ahsan 559]

Feed the poor. Abu Hurairah (ra)narrated: A person complained to the Prophet(ﷺ) the hardness of the heart. So, the Prophet said, if you want that your heart should be soften feed the poor and stroke the head of the orphan. [Ahmed 7576]

Be Nice with Relatives: Abu Huraira narrated: I heard Allah’s Messenger(ﷺ) saying, “He who desires that he be granted more provision and his life be prolonged, should join ties with his blood relations.” [Bukhari. Kitab-ul- Adab]

Do 360 Good Deed Every Day: Aisha (ra) reported Allah’s Messenger(ﷺ)  as saying, “Every one of the children of Adam has been created with three hundred and sixty joints, so he who declares Allah’s Greatness, Praises Allah, declares that He is the Only God, Glorifies Allah, asks forgiveness of Allah, remove a stone , a thorn, or a bone from people’s path, enjoins what is reputable , or forbids what is objectionable, to the number of those three hundred and sixty, will walk  on that day having removed himself from Hell Fire.”[Muslim]

Who is the Best?  Abdullah bin Busr (ra) narrated, a Bedouin said, “O’ messenger of Allah(ﷺ) who is the best amongst people? He replied, “Who has a long life and best of deeds.” [At-Tirmidhi, kitab us- Zahd 2329]

Reference:

1.References to studies can be found in David R Hamilton, PhD., ‘The Five Side Effects of Kindness‘ (Hay House, February 2017). http://drdavidhamilton.com/the-5-side-effects-of-kindness/ 

2.https://www.happiness.com/en/magazine/science-psychology/benefits-of-kindness/