“114. There is no good in much of their secret counsel, except that of one who enjoins charity, what is right, or reconciliation between people. Whoever does that seeking Allah’s pleasure, We shall grant him an immense reward.”
That is, there is no good in much of what people discuss privately and say to one another. If it contains no good, then it is either of no benefit, as with superfluous permissible speech, or it is pure evil and harm, as with every kind of prohibited speech.
The Most High then makes an exception, saying: “except that of one who enjoins charity”—whether charity of wealth or knowledge, or any other benefit. Indeed, this may even include acts of worship whose benefit is confined to the worshipper, such as glorifying and praising Allah and the like. The Prophet—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—said: “Every utterance of ‘Glory be to Allah’ is charity; every utterance of ‘Allah is the Greatest’ is charity; every utterance of ‘There is no god but Allah’ is charity; enjoining what is right is charity; forbidding what is wrong is charity; and even in the sexual act of one of you there is charity”—to the end of the hadith.
“Or what is right.” This refers to benevolence, obedience, and everything whose goodness is recognized by both the Sacred Law and reason. When enjoining what is right is mentioned without being coupled with forbidding what is wrong, it includes forbidding what is wrong. This is because refraining from prohibited things is itself right, and because doing good cannot be complete without abandoning evil. When the two are mentioned together, however, what is right refers to carrying out what has been commanded, while refraining from wrong means abstaining from what has been prohibited.
“Or reconciliation between people.” Reconciliation can only take place between disputing and quarreling parties. Disputes, quarrels, and mutual anger give rise to incalculable evil and division. The Lawgiver therefore encouraged reconciliation between people in matters of blood, property, and honor, and even in matters of religion. The Most High says: “Hold fast, all together, to the rope of Allah, and do not be divided.” He also says: “If two groups of believers fight, make peace between them. If one of them transgresses against the other, then fight the transgressing group until it returns to Allah’s command”—to the end of the verse.
The Most High also says: “Reconciliation is best.” One who strives to reconcile people is better than one devoted to prayer, fasting, and charity. Allah will surely set right the efforts and deeds of one who seeks reconciliation.
Conversely, Allah will neither set right the work of one who strives to spread corruption nor allow him fully to achieve his objective, as the Most High says: “Indeed, Allah does not set right the work of those who spread corruption.” Thus, wherever these things are done, they are good, as the exception indicates.
However, the perfection and fullness of the reward depend upon one’s intention and sincerity. He therefore says: “Whoever does that seeking Allah’s pleasure, We shall grant him an immense reward.” The servant should therefore seek the countenance of Allah Most High and devote every deed sincerely to Allah at all times and in every aspect of goodness. In this way he will attain the immense reward, become accustomed to sincerity and thus be among the sincere, and receive his reward in full—whether or not his objective is achieved—because the intention was present and was accompanied by whatever action he was able to undertake.