Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) said: “There are two blessings which many people lose: they are health and doing good things for others.”– Sahih Bukahri

Health is indeed a blessing. The saying goes, “Health is wealth.” To be in good health is a richness beyond measure. Good health is optimal for happiness and prosperity.

Having all the gold, silver, land and money in the world cannot equal good health. My mum instilled in me when I was a young child that our bodies are our temples and only loaned to us by God, therefore we are to honour and take care of our temple.

The body, mind and soul constitutes a holistic entity. What we feed our bodies and our minds will inevitably result in a positive or negative outcome. Good health is indeed a blessing.

To substantiate this, the Prophet says: “Wealth is appropriate to a God-fearing person, but good health is better for the God-fearing than wealth.”

The Prophet also said: “Those of you who finds himself enjoying good health, is secure in his community and has his daily sustenance, is as if he had the whole world at his finger tips.” (narrated from Salamah bin ‘Ubaidullah bin Mihsan Al-Ansari)

Throughout the Koran, Allah outlines specific foods i.e. fruits and vegetables to eat for good health. Also specific instructions are given on the correct way to slaughter animals that are permissible for consumption. Let’s take heed in taking good care of ourselves, so we can gain the blessings of doing so.

The other significant action that gains blessings from Allah is doing good things for others.

Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) said “The best of humans are those who are most beneficial to others.” (Narrated by Ahmad, ath-Thabrani, ad-Daruqutni. This Hadith was quoted by al-Albani in Sahihul Jami 'no. 3289).

The Koran says the believers have been sent for the betterment of mankind, that they will promote what is good, and prevent what is wrong (3:110). We are our brother’s keeper. However, we have lost sight of our duty towards each other. There is always an opportunity to make someone’s life better.

Sadly, we are losing out on our potential blessings in a big way, because we have become selfish and self centred, concerned only with ourselves. We have lost our humanity. What is humanity? The Oxford Dictionary describes humanity as “the quality of being humane; benevolence.”

Humanity is to be concerned, caring and kind to each other; to make other people’s lives better. To be humane is to live morally and ethically towards each other. To serve each other. The worst situation to be in is alone without help from another human being.

Let us be reminded of the words, “No man is an island.” Allah has put us together to show humanity towards one another. We are indeed failing as a family of humanity.

It appears greed for money and power has overwhelmed humanity and unfortunately will lead to our own demise. Everyone is created by God, the Maker of all, thereby humans must treat one another with honour, respect and loving kindness. Why do you think we address each other as Brother and Sister?

The Prophet Muhammad said: “The best of people are those that bring most benefit to the rest of mankind.”

We should never underestimate our ability to make someone else’s life better. In the words of Albert Einstein: “Only a life lived in the service of others is worth living.”

We are definitely not living to our full potential. We can plainly see from world affairs the blatant disregard for the sanctity of humanity. It is so ironic and unbelievable to witness the atrocities of inhumanity, watched by the world, especially organisations whose purpose is to maintain international peace and security, as well as protect human rights.

The ineffective non-action we see brings home to me these words spoken by Albert Einstein: “The world is a dangerous place to live; not because of the people who are evil, but because of the people who don’t do anything about it.”

Bermuda, the struggle continues, hence we must continue to speak out against wars, genocide and overt acts of injustice wherever they occur. Injustices are currently rampant throughout today’s world. The Koran speaks on the right to seek justice as well as the duty to carry out justice.

In Surah 5: Al-Ma'idah: 8, it tells the believers: “O you who have attained to faith! Be ever steadfast in your devotion to God, bearing witness to the truth in all equity; and never let hatred of anyone lead you into the sin of deviating from justice. Be just: this is the closest to being God-conscious.”

And again, in Surah 4: An-Nisa': 13; the Koran emphasises the importance of upholding justice: “O ye who believe! Stand out firmly for justice, as witnesses to Allah, even as against yourselves, or your parents, or your kin, and whether it be (against) rich or poor: for Allah can best protect both. Follow not the lusts (of your hearts), lest ye serve, and if ye distort (justice) or decline to do justice, verily Allah is well acquainted with all that ye do.”

As salaam alaikum (Peace be unto you).

• Linda Walia Ming is a member of the Bermuda Hijab Dawah Team, a group of Muslim women who reside in Bermuda and have a goal of educating the community about the religion of Islam