Deeds Lead to One’s Destiny
Sahih al-Bukhari 6217
Narrated `Ali: We were with the Prophet (ﷺ) in a funeral procession, and he started scraping the ground with a small stick and said, “There is none amongst you but has been assigned a place (either) in Paradise and (or) in the Hell-Fire.” The people said (to him), “Should we not depend upon it?” He said: carry on doing (good) deeds, for everybody will find easy such deeds as will lead him to his destined place. He then recited: “As for him who gives (in charity) and keeps his duty to Allah..” (92.5)
- This hadith implies that while predestination is a fundamental belief in Islam, it does not negate the concept of free will. Every person has the freedom to choose between good and evil and is responsible for their actions. The Prophet (ﷺ) advised the people to continue doing good deeds, indicating that they have the power to shape their destiny by making the right choices. Thus, according to this hadith, even though everyone has a destined place in the afterlife, they have the freedom to choose their actions and strive towards their destined place in Paradise. The actions and choices a person makes in their life will determine their ultimate destination, whether it is Paradise or Hellfire. Therefore, Muslims are encouraged to make the right choices, do good deeds, and seek Allah’s mercy and forgiveness to ensure a place in Paradise.
📖Sahih al-Bukhari 6463 & Sahih Muslim 2816
Narrated Abu Huraira:
The Prophet (ﷺ) said:
“No one will enter Paradise because of his deeds alone.”
The companions asked, “Not even you, O Messenger of Allah?”
He replied, “Not even me, unless Allah bestows His mercy upon me. So, do good deeds properly, sincerely, and moderately, and worship Allah in the morning, afternoon, and during part of the night. And always adopt a middle, moderate, and balanced approach, so that you may reach your goal.”
The ability to do good deeds itself is a mercy from Allah. He is the One who guides people towards righteousness, gives them the strength to perform good actions, and then rewards them out of His mercy.
📖Surah An-Nur (24:21)
“And if not for the favor of Allah upon you and His mercy, not one of you would have been purified, but Allah purifies whom He wills.”
How Good Deeds are Part of Allah’s Mercy:
1️⃣Guidance to Good Deeds – Allah chooses whom He guides to goodness. Without His guidance, no one would be able to do righteous acts.
2️⃣Strength to Perform Them – Even if a person knows what is right, it is Allah who grants them the ability and opportunity to act upon it.
3️⃣Accepting Deeds & Rewarding Them Beyond Measure – Allah’s mercy is seen in how He multiplies rewards for even small good deeds, while He forgives sins if one sincerely repents.
📖Surah Al-Ankabut (29:69)
“And those who strive for Us – We will surely guide them to Our ways. And indeed, Allah is with the doers of good.”
Conclusion:
✅ Good deeds are not independent achievements of a person but are granted by Allah as part of His mercy.
✅ A person cannot rely only on their actions; they must seek Allah’s mercy to accept and multiply their deeds.
✅ Allah’s mercy encompasses everything—even the ability to seek forgiveness is a gift from Him.
So, when the hadith says “no one enters Paradise because of their deeds,” it means that even those deeds are only possible by Allah’s mercy. Hence, it is Allah’s mercy that leads to Jannah, not just human effort alone.