The Spectrum of Human Action According to the Qur’an

Spectrum +1 Good

Level +1 is the level where an action has already entered the side of goodness. It aligns with the guidance of Allah, does not violate clear boundaries, does not wrong others and brings a benefit recognised by the Qur’an.

This is the beginning of goodness within the spectrum.

+1 does not mean that the goodness has already reached the highest level.

+1 does not mean that the action is already perfect.

+1 does not mean that it has already reached the level of iḥsān, aḥsan or istiqāmah.

+1 means that the action is fundamentally good.

In the language of the Qur’an, this goodness may be linked to expressions such as حُسْنًا, حَسَنَةً, مَعْرُوفًا and خَيْرًا in certain contexts, as well as every action that brings a person toward obedience, adab, benefit, reform and the guarding of Allah’s limits.

The Qur’an states:

...وَقُولُوا لِلنَّاسِ حُسْنًا...

“…And speak to people with good words…”

Excerpt from Surah al-Baqarah 2:83

This verse gives a very clear foundation that goodness can begin with something outward and close to daily life, namely the way one speaks.

Not everyone is immediately able to present the highest argument. Not everyone is immediately able to respond to evil with aḥsan. Not everyone is immediately able to remain steadfast in every situation. However, everyone can begin goodness by guarding their words.

Speaking well is +1 because it has already entered the positive side. It does not insult. It does not wound the heart without right. It does not spread slander. It does not ignite the fire of hostility. It does not turn the tongue into a tool for damaging people.

The Qur’an also speaks about good action in a more general form:

وَأَحْسِنُوٓاۛ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يُحِبُّ ٱلْمُحْسِنِينَ...

“…And do good. Indeed, Allah loves those who do good.”

Excerpt from Surah al-Baqarah 2:195

This verse shows that goodness is not limited to one form. It may occur in speech, action, assistance, trustworthiness, relationships, worship, wealth management, family, knowledge and one’s attitude toward people.

Therefore, +1 is when a person begins to choose an action that belongs to the basic space of iḥsān, even if it has not necessarily reached the highest level.

The Qur’an also states:

...إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يَأْمُرُ بِٱلْعَدْلِ وَٱلْإِحْسَٰنِ وَإِيتَآئِ ذِي ٱلْقُرْبَىٰ

“Indeed, Allah commands justice, iḥsān and giving to relatives…”

Excerpt from Surah an-Naḥl 16:90

This verse shows three major foundations of goodness.

First, justice.

Second, iḥsān.

Third, giving to those who have close ties.

Therefore, actions that are just, good and protective of people’s rights have already entered the territory of +1. For example, giving people their rights, not deceiving, not wronging others, speaking the truth, guarding trust and helping the family.

The Qur’an also mentions good action even when it is small:

فَمَن يَعْمَلْ مِثْقَالَ ذَرَّةٍ خَيْرًا يَرَهُۥ

“So whoever does an atom’s weight of good will see it.”

Surah az-Zalzalah 99:7

This verse is important for +1 because it shows that goodness does not have to begin with great matters. There is goodness that may be small in the eyes of people, yet it still enters the scale of Allah.

• A sincere smile.
• A calming word.
• Holding back one harmful sentence.
• Helping a little.
• Giving space to someone.
• Correcting one mistake.
• Removing one suspicion.

All of these may stand at the level of +1 if they truly belong to the side of goodness.

The Qur’an also states:

...مَّن يَشْفَعْ شَفَٰعَةً حَسَنَةً يَكُن لَّهُۥ نَصِيبٌ مِّنْهَا

“Whoever intercedes with a good intercession will have a share of it…”

Excerpt from Surah an-Nisā’ 4:85

This verse shows that goodness can also occur in the form of becoming an intermediary for something good. Someone helps another person obtain his right. Someone supports goodness. Someone opens a path toward benefit. All of these fall within basic goodness.

The Qur’an also mentions good speech in comparison with charity that is ruined by harm.

...قَوْلٌ مَّعْرُوفٌ وَمَغْفِرَةٌ خَيْرٌ مِّن صَدَقَةٍ يَتْبَعُهَآ أَذًى

“Good speech and forgiveness are better than charity followed by harm…”

Excerpt from Surah al-Baqarah 2:263

This verse shows that goodness is not only seen in its outward form. Charity appears good, but it can be ruined if it is accompanied by harm. On the other hand, good speech and forgiveness can become more valuable than a gift that causes pain.

Therefore, +1 must contain an element that is clean from basic corruption. If an action appears good but is accompanied by humiliation, showing off, deception, reminding others of favours or oppression, it may fall from +1.

Technically, Spectrum +1 has several characteristics.

First, the action is within the territory permitted and praised by Allah. It is not sin decorated with a good name. It is not wrongdoing wrapped in the slogan of benefit.

Second, it brings benefit or prevents harm. Basic goodness either gives something useful, protects people from harm, restrains oneself from damaging or helps something become better.

Third, it is not mixed with elements that cancel its basic value. For example, charity accompanied by humiliation may lose its value. Advice accompanied by slander may be ruined. Correction accompanied by injustice may turn into evil.

Fourth, it is not necessarily the highest level. +1 is the beginning. It is good, but it can still rise to +2 when chosen in a more noble way. It can rise to +3 when performed with the best quality in a challenging situation. It can rise to +4 when it becomes istiqāmah and a way of life.

Fifth, it can occur in small matters. Do not wait for a great act of goodness before entering the territory of good. The Qur’an teaches that even something as small as an atom is still seen.

Example from the Angle of the Tongue

A person speaks politely to people. He does not curse, insult, slander or deliberately hurt others. That is +1. It is not necessarily +3 because he may not yet have been tested with severe insult. However, fundamentally, he has already chosen the goodness of the tongue.

Example from the Angle of Comments

A person leaves a polite comment even though he disagrees. He asks with adab. He does not accuse without evidence. He does not humiliate people. That is +1. If he adds a well-structured argument and protects the atmosphere of discussion, it may rise to +2 or +3 depending on the situation.

Example from the Angle of Charity

A person gives a little assistance to someone in need. He gives RM5, food, water, clothing or whatever he is able to give. That is +1. The amount may be small, but if it is sincere and does not hurt the recipient, it still stands on the side of goodness.

Example from the Angle of Family

A person provides basic maintenance, speaks well and does not neglect responsibility. That is +1. He has already performed basic goodness toward the family. If he adds attention, listens, guides and becomes a place of safety, it may rise to +2 or higher.

Example from the Angle of Knowledge

A person answers a question with a truthful answer and does not deceive. That is +1. He may not necessarily provide the most complete explanation. However, he does not mislead people, does not falsify evidence and does not deliberately spread false information.

Example from the Angle of Writing

A person writes something true, beneficial and free from slander. That is +1. If he checks the sources, structures the argument, closes the space for misunderstanding and has the courage to correct mistakes, it may rise to +2 or +3.

Example from the Angle of Worship

A person performs the obligatory prayer validly. That is basic goodness and an obligation. If he guards the early time, improves khushū‘ and understands the recitation, he moves to a better level. However, a valid prayer performed in obedience to Allah has already entered the territory of +1.

Example from the Angle of Anger

A person is angry, but he does not curse and does not hit. That is +1 because he has restrained a major evil. If he is able to choose silence at the right time, respond with wisdom and distinguish firmness from ego, that rises to +2 or +3.

Example from the Angle of Work

A person works honestly, does not steal time, does not falsify reports and fulfils basic trust. That is +1. If he works with greater care, helps others and improves the system, it may rise to +2.

Example from the Angle of Social Media

A person does not spread news that he has not verified. That is +1 because he restrains himself from becoming a tool of slander. If he practises tabayyun, checks sources and corrects false information with adab, that is higher.

Example from the Angle of Apologising

A person realises his mistake and apologises. That is +1. If he does not only apologise but also repairs the damage, returns rights and ensures it does not happen again, it may rise to +2 or +3.

Example from the Angle of Guarding Assumptions

A person does not immediately believe a bad assumption about someone else. He restrains himself from spreading it. That is +1. If he chooses to seek a fair clarification and does not allow slander to spread, that is higher.

Conclusion

Therefore, +1 is the doorway into goodness.

It is when we choose an action that is correct, clean, beneficial and non-destructive.

It may be small, but it is still good.

It may not yet be perfect, but it is already facing the right direction.

It may not yet have become a habit, but it has become the first step toward rising.

+1 is important because no one reaches +2, +3 or +4 if he has never begun with +1.

Goodness is when an action has already entered the side of truth, benefit, adab and trustworthiness. It may not yet be the highest level, but it has already become a valid first step toward a greater goodness.

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