Save Yourself from Hell
Sahih al-Bukhari 6540
Narrated `Adi bin Hatim: The Prophet (ﷺ) said, “Protect yourself from the Fire.” He then turned his face aside (as if he were looking at it) and said again, “Protect yourself from the Fire,” and then turned his face aside (as if he were looking at it), and he said so for the third time till we thought he was looking at it. He then said, “Protect yourselves from the Fire, even if with one half of a date and he who hasn’t got even this, (should do so) by (saying) a good, pleasant word.’
- This hadith highlights the importance of charity and good deeds as a means of protecting oneself from Hellfire. The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) emphasizes that even the smallest act of kindness, such as giving half a date in charity or speaking a good word, can serve as a shield against punishment. This teaches that no good deed is too small in the sight of Allah, and every effort counts, However, this does not mean that a person can commit all sins freely and expect their good deeds to erase them completely. Islam does not promote a transactional view of good deeds and sins—instead, it encourages believers to strive for righteousness while acknowledging human weakness.
Qur’anic Evidence for Charity & Good Deeds as Protection:
📖Surah Al-Baqarah (2:267)
“O you who have believed, spend from the good things which you have earned and from that which We have produced for you from the earth. And do not aim toward the defective [things] for spending [in charity], while you would not take it [yourself] except with closed eyes. And know that Allah is Free of need and Praiseworthy.”
🔹 This verse emphasizes that charity should be sincere and from one’s best wealth, aligning with the hadith that even a small but sincere act (like half a date) holds immense value in Allah’s sight.
📖Surah Al-Ma’idah (5:9)
“Allah has promised those who believe and do righteous deeds [that] for them there is forgiveness and a great reward.”
🔹 This shows that good deeds bring forgiveness and rewards, but it is faith and righteousness combined that lead to ultimate success.
Hadith: If You Do Not Sin, Allah Will Replace You
📖Sahih Muslim 2749
The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said:
“By Him in Whose Hand is my soul, if you were not to commit sins, Allah would replace you with people who would commit sins and then seek forgiveness from Allah, and He would forgive them.”
Explanation:
This hadith does not mean that sinning is encouraged, but rather it highlights Allah’s mercy and the human nature of making mistakes. It teaches that:
- Humans are not perfect—we are bound to make mistakes due to our desires, suffering, or external pressures.
- Repentance (Tawbah) is key—Allah loves those who acknowledge their sins and seek His forgiveness.
- Allah does not expect absolute perfection—what matters is that when we do fall into sin, we return to Him sincerely.
📖Surah Az-Zumar (39:53)
“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.”
The Importance of Sincerity in Deeds
Sahih Muslim 1905 a
It has been narrated on the authority of Sulaiman b. Yasar who said: People dispersed from around Abu Huraira, and Natil, who was from the Syrians. said to him: O Shaikh, relate (to us) a tradition you have heard from the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ). He said: Yes. I heard the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) say: The first of men (whose case) will be decided on the Day of Judgment will be a man who died as a martyr. He shall be brought (before the Judgment Seat). Allah will make him recount His blessings (i. e. the blessings which He had bestowed upon him) and he will recount them (and admit having enjoyed them in his life). (Then) will Allah say: What did you do (to requite these blessings)? He will say: I fought for Thee until I died as a martyr. Allah will say: You have told a lie. You fought that you might be called a” brave warrior”. And you were called so. (Then) orders will be passed against him and he will be dragged with his face downward and cast into Hell. Then will be brought forward a man who acquired knowledge and imparted it (to others) and recited the Qur’an. He will be brought And Allah will make him recount His blessings and he will recount them (and admit having enjoyed them in his lifetime). Then will Allah ask: What did you do (to requite these blessings)? He will say: I acquired knowledge and disseminated it and recited the Qur’an seeking Thy pleasure. Allah will say: You have told a lie. You acquired knowledge so that you might be called” a scholar,” and you recited the Qur’an so that it might be said:” He is a Qari” and such has been said. Then orders will be passed against him and he shall be dragged with his face downward and cast into the Fire. Then will be brought a man whom Allah had made abundantly rich and had granted every kind of wealth. He will be brought and Allah will make him recount His blessings and he will recount them and (admit having enjoyed them in his lifetime). Allah will (then) ask: What have you done (to requite these blessings)? He will say: I spent money in every cause in which Thou wished that it should be spent. Allah will say: You are lying. You did (so) that it might be said about (You):” He is a generous fellow” and so it was said. Then will Allah pass orders and he will be dragged with his face downward and thrown into Hell.
- The meaning of this hadith is that outwardly righteous actions, such as martyrdom, acquiring knowledge, or spending wealth in charitable causes, are not enough for one’s actions to be accepted by Allah. What truly matters is the sincerity of intention and seeking Allah’s pleasure in performing these actions. If someone performs these deeds to gain worldly recognition or praise, their actions will be rejected, and they will be held accountable on the Day of Judgment.
This hadith serves as a reminder for Muslims to purify their intentions and ensure that their actions are solely for the sake of Allah, seeking His pleasure alone. It emphasizes the importance of sincerity in worship and righteousness, as this is what truly matters to Allah
Why Does Allah Require These Acts from Us?
Allah does not need our deeds, worship, or charity—rather, these acts are for our own benefit. He is Al-Ghani (The Self-Sufficient) and Al-Hamid (The Praiseworthy). The purpose of worship and good deeds is to purify our hearts, discipline our souls, and strengthen our connection with Allah.
1. Allah Is Self-Sufficient and Does Not Need Our Worship
📖Surah Al-An’am (6:133)
“And your Lord is the Self-Sufficient, the Possessor of Mercy. If He wills, He can do away with you and give succession after you to whomever He wills, just as He produced you from the descendants of another people.”
🔹 This verse makes it clear that Allah does not require anything from humans; rather, He is the One who provides for us. Worship is not for Him—it is for us to develop humility, gratitude, and righteousness.
📖Surah Az-Zumar (39:7)
“If you disbelieve—indeed, Allah is Free of need from you. But He does not approve of disbelief for His servants. And if you are grateful, He approves it for you. No bearer of burdens will bear the burden of another. Then to your Lord is your return, and He will inform you about what you used to do. Indeed, He is Knowing of what is within the breasts.”
🔹 Allah does not gain anything from our gratitude or suffer any loss from our ingratitude. Instead, these actions shape our spiritual growth and bring us closer to Him.
2. Worship and Good Deeds Are a Test for Humans
📖Surah Al-Mulk (67:2)
“[He] who created death and life to test you [as to] which of you is best in deed—and He is the Exalted in Might, the Forgiving.”
🔹 Life is a test where humans are given free will. The way we use our wealth, knowledge, and actions determines our fate in the Hereafter.
3. Good Deeds Are for Our Own Benefit
📖Surah Al-Isra (17:7)
“If you do good, you do good for yourselves; and if you do evil, [you do it] to yourselves.”
🔹 Righteous actions bring peace, happiness, and success, both in this world and the next. Evil deeds, on the other hand, only harm the person committing them.
Why Doesn’t Allah Help the Insincere?
Allah is the Most Just. If He were to reward insincere people who do good deeds only for show, it would contradict justice. Their actions were not done for His sake but for worldly recognition, so their reward remains in the world, not in the Hereafter.
📖Surah Al-Kahf (18:103-104)
“Say, ‘Shall We inform you of the greatest losers as to [their] deeds? [They are] those whose effort is lost in worldly life, while they think that they are doing well in work.’”
🔹 Deeds done for show may seem beneficial, but they hold no eternal value if the intention was insincere.
Why Does Allah Test Us Instead of Just Helping Everyone?
Allah has given humans free will. If He were to force everyone to be righteous and sincere, it would eliminate the concept of free will and the test of life. The purpose of our existence is to choose righteousness willingly.
📖Surah Al-Insan (76:2-3)
“Indeed, We created man from a drop of mixed fluid so that We may test him; and We made him hearing and seeing. Indeed, We guided him to the way, whether he be grateful or ungrateful.”
🔹 Allah has shown us the right path, but it is up to us to choose sincerity and righteousness. Those who misuse their blessings for pride and worldly recognition are accountable for their own choices.