Islam

From amongst people are those who are keys to good and closers of
evil. There are also those who are – we seek refuge in Allaah – keys
to evil and closers of good. This is according to their condition of
good or evil. Every vessel will dispense what is present within it.
It is recorded in Ibnu Majah as well as Ibn Abi 'Asim in as-Sunnah,
and other than them, on the authority of Anas ibnu Malik that the
Messenger of Allaah salallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam said:
Indeed from the people are people who are keys to open the good for
the people, and to lock away the evil. And indeed from the people are
people whoare keys to lock away and block the good, and they open up
the evil for the people. So Tooba (glad tidings; scholars have also
defined this word Tooba to be a tree in Paradise) is for the one whom
Allaah subhanahu wa ta'aala places the keys of good at his hands. And
woe be to the one whom Allaah has placed the keys of evil at his
disposal.
[Hasan hadeeth, Ibn Majah: 237; as-Sunnah by Ibn Abi 'Asim: 297]
The Imaams of guidance, the callers to the Sunnah, the supports of the
religion, and the carriers of knowledge – those who call the people to
guidanceand are patient upon harm,those who bring life to the dead by
means of the Bookof Allaah and bring sight tothe blind by the light of
Allaah – they are the *keys to good.*
Imam As-Sa'dee (rahimahullaah), describing The Keys to Good , said:
From the most important factors is learning beneficial knowledge and
spreading it. Verily, this is the key to all good. From this is
enjoining the good and forbidding the evil with gentleness, kindness
and wisdom. An example of this is a servant performing a good practice
and starting a beneficial task in order that the people follow him in
doing so.
[From Abee Hurayrah (radiyAllaahu 'anhu) that the Messenger of Allaah
(salallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam) said, "Whoever calls to guidance has a
reward like the example ofthe reward of those who follow him, not
decreasing their reward in any way. And whoever calls to misguidance
has upon him the sin like the example of the sin of thosewho follow
him, not decreasing their sin in anyway." Narrated by Muslim, no.
2674.]
Another example is giving valuable advice and sincerity in the
religion, or in worldly affairs. Verily, those who advise are keys to
good and blockers of evil.
Imam As-Sa'dee also mentioned those who are keys to good take
advantage of the opportunity of gatherings by busying them with good –
and away from evil.
So when the desire for good becomes the focal point of the individual,
and his intention is determined on accomplishing his goal according to
his ability, he seeks assistance from Allaah in fulfilling his goals,
he approaches affairs in the correct manner and fashion and,as a
result, he will continue to gain good and reap reward/