Fazail E Amaal (part II)

Title and Background

Title: Fazā’il-e-A‘māl, Part 2
Author: Shaikhul Hadith Maulana Muhammad Zakariyya Kandhalwi (1898–1982)
Language: Originally in Urdu, translated into English and many other languages
Series: Part of the two-volume collection Fazā’il-e-A‘māl (Virtues of Good Deeds), which is a central text of the Tablighi Jamaat movement.

The two parts together form a complete guide to Islamic virtues and moral reform. Part 1 deals mainly with prayer, Qur’an, remembrance of Allah, and basic devotions. Part 2 focuses on charity, fasting, pilgrimage, missionary work, and the moral revival of the Muslim community.

Purpose of Part 2

Part 2 of Fazā’il-e-A‘māl aims to inspire Muslims to embrace a life of sacrifice, charity, missionary effort (tabligh), and moral discipline. It emphasizes that Islam is not only a set of rituals but a complete way of life built on sincerity, generosity, and active service to others.

The book is not written as a legal or theological manual, but as a spiritual motivator—meant to move the heart and awaken a sense of purpose and devotion.

Main Sections in Part 2

1. Virtues of Charity (Faza’il-e-Sadaqaat)

   • Explains the importance of giving charity both obligatory (zakat) and voluntary (sadaqah).

   • Discusses the spiritual rewards of generosity and the purification of wealth.

   • Includes numerous hadiths and stories showing the sacrifices made by the Prophet Muhammad and his companions.

   • Emphasizes that even small acts of kindness count as charity.

   • Warns against greed, stinginess, and attachment to material possessions.

2. Virtues of Ramadan

   • Describes the immense blessings of fasting during the holy month of Ramadan.

   • Explains the meaning of self-restraint, forgiveness, and spiritual renewal.

   • Includes stories about the companions’ devotion during Ramadan and their eagerness to seek the Night of Power (Laylat al-Qadr).

   • Encourages Muslims to use fasting as a means of moral purification and increased worship.

3. Virtues of Hajj

   • Highlights the significance of pilgrimage as a symbol of submission to Allah.

   • Explains how Hajj unites Muslims and reminds them of equality, humility, and sacrifice.

   • Contains stories of people whose Hajj experiences transformed their lives.

   • Encourages sincerity, patience, and brotherhood during the pilgrimage.

4. Virtues of Tabligh (Preaching and Da’wah)

   • Focuses on the duty of every Muslim to spread goodness and remind others of Allah.

   • Explains the spiritual reward of inviting others to faith and righteousness.

   • Describes how the Prophet and his companions devoted their lives to teaching and guiding others.

   • Encourages consistent effort in religious outreach without seeking worldly recognition.

5. Muslim Degeneration and its Cure

   • An analytical and reflective section that addresses the decline of Muslim society after the early generations.

   • Identifies moral laziness, love of luxury, and neglect of religious duties as root causes.

   • Suggests remedies based on returning to sincerity, regular worship, charity, and missionary work.

   • Serves as a call to reform — both individually and collectively — by following the spiritual model of the Prophet and his companions.

Style and Tone

Part 2 maintains the same heartfelt and emotional tone as Part 1. It is simple, direct, and full of inspiring stories meant to encourage action.
It combines authentic hadiths with traditional moral lessons and examples from Islamic history. The author’s goal is to motivate readers to live Islam actively — to pray, give, fast, serve, and spread good.

Scholarly Approach

Maulana Zakariyya did not intend the book to be a scholarly or juristic reference. It is a collection of virtues (faza’il), meaning it deals with the spiritual rewards and encouragements mentioned in hadith and classical literature.
He sometimes included weak narrations, which are acceptable in works of moral exhortation, but not in matters of law or theology.

Impact and Influence

Part 2 of Fazā’il-e-A‘māl is read daily in Tablighi Jamaat gatherings across the world. It plays a central role in motivating Muslims toward piety, selflessness, and collective responsibility for spreading Islam.
Its influence extends far beyond the movement: many Muslims use it privately for personal reflection and moral improvement.

The stories and hadiths in this volume have shaped generations of Muslims by emphasizing that true faith manifests in action — through giving, helping others, enduring hardship, and striving for the good of the community.

Central Message

The key message of Fazā’il-e-A‘māl, Part 2, is that spiritual success comes through sincerity, sacrifice, and service.
Charity purifies the heart, fasting disciplines the body, pilgrimage humbles the soul, and preaching renews the faith of both the caller and the listener.
When Muslims live these virtues collectively, they regain the moral and spiritual strength that once defined the early Islamic generations.