by Romaissa
One of the signs of relying on one’s own deeds is the loss of hope when a downfall occurs. ~Ibn ‘Ata Allah As-Sakandari
Is it Good to Rely on Deeds in Sharia?
Ibn ‘Ata Allah says that you should not rely on deeds (such as prayers, fasting, or charity) to gain the approval of Allah (swt). Rather, you have to rely on Allah’s mercy, kindness, and generosity.
The Prophet (saws) said: Do good deeds properly, sincerely and moderately, and receive good news because one’s good deeds will not make him enter Paradise. They asked: Even you, O Allah’s Messenger (pbuh)? He said: Even I, unless and until Allah bestows His pardon and Mercy on me. [Sahih al-Bukhari, Volume 8]
So, good deeds are not the price you pay to enter Jannah. And if they were so, you should intend to get Allah’s approval before doing anything and never think that the rewards you get from Him are because of what you did.
Ibn ‘Ata Allah says also that losing hope when a downfall occurs (i.e. when you sin) is a sign of counting on your deeds rather than on the mercy of Allah (swt). If you’re one of those who despair when they sin and think that they haven’t done enough good deeds to enter Paradise, Allah (swt) says to you: Say, “O My servants who have transgressed against themselves [by sinning], do not despair of the mercy of Allah. Indeed, Allah forgives all sins. Indeed, it is He who is the Forgiving, the Merciful.” [Quran, 39:53]
Allah, on this day, forgive all our sins. Oh most merciful, oh One who forgives sinners, grant us Jannatul Firdaus by Your mercy and kindness. Ameen.
Ameen!
Love this, SubhanAllah
Jazak Allah khair.
I believe in everything that is said but then I am so confused, it makes you wonder why bother trying to good deeds when they wont count? There is so said much about good deeds outweighing bad deeds what about that?jzk
Dear friend, when you do something nice for your mother, do you do it to gain some reward from her? Or do you do it because your love for her is overflowing, because you want to have a good relationship with her, and because you want her to be pleased with you?
Assalamu alaikum wanda,
Good question. Well, when you treat your parents nicely, you are worshipping Allah swt and following the Sunnah of the Prophet saws and that pleases Allah for ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Umar said, “The pleasure of the Lord lies in the pleasure of the parent. The anger of the Lord lies in the anger of the parent.”
The Prophet said also: “The parent is the middle door of Paradise (i.e. the best way to Paradise), so it is up to you whether you take advantage of it or not.”