253 — Abū Bakr ibn Abī Dāwūd informed us, saying: Muhammad ibn Ismāil ⦗617⦘ ibn Samura narrated to us, saying: Jafar ibn Awn narrated to us, saying: Abd al-Rahmān ibn Abd Allah al-Masūdī informed us, from al-Qāsim, from Abū Dharr, who said: A man came and asked him about faith, so he recited to him: “Righteousness is not that you turn your faces toward the east or the west” [al-Baqara: 177]. The man said—meaning, “I did not ask you about righteousness.” Abū Dharr said to him: “A man came to the Prophet—peace and blessings be upon him—and asked him just as you asked me. He recited to him what I recited to you, but the man refused to be satisfied, just as you refused to be satisfied. The Prophet then said, ‘Come closer to me.’ He drew near, and the Prophet said: ‘A believer is one who does a good deed and is pleased by it, hoping for its reward; and if he commits an evil deed, it grieves him and he fears its consequences.’”

⦗618⦘ Muhammad ibn al-Husayn said: Know—may Allah have mercy upon us and you—O people of the Quran, people of knowledge, people of the sunnahs and transmitted reports, and company of those whom Allah Most High has granted understanding of the religion through knowledge of what is lawful and unlawful: if you reflect upon the Quran as Allah Most High has commanded you, you will know that, after the believers’ faith in Him and His Messenger, Allah Most High has made deeds obligatory upon them. He has not praised the believers by declaring that He is pleased with them and they with Him, nor rewarded them for that with entrance into Paradise and deliverance from the Fire, except on account of faith and righteous deeds. He has coupled righteous deeds with faith and did not admit them to Paradise through faith alone until He joined to it the righteous deeds which He enabled them to perform. Thus, no one’s faith is complete until he believes with his heart, professes with his tongue, and acts with his limbs. This is not hidden from anyone who reflects upon the Quran and examines it; he will find it to be as I have stated.

⦗619⦘ Know—may Allah Most High have mercy upon us and you—that I have examined the Quran and found what I have mentioned in fifty-six places in the Book of Allah, Mighty and Majestic: Allah, exalted is He, did not admit the believers to Paradise through faith alone. Rather, He admitted them to Paradise by His mercy toward them and by the faith in Him and righteous deeds that He enabled them to attain. This refutes those who say, “Faith is knowledge,” and those who say, “It is knowledge and verbal profession, even if one performs no deeds.” We seek refuge in Allah from anyone who says this.

⦗620⦘ If someone were to say, “Then cite from the Book of Allah, Mighty and Majestic, what you have explained, so that others will not need to examine the Quran,” he would be told: “Yes. Allah Most High is the One who grants success in this and assistance with it.”

Allah, exalted is He, says in Surah al-Baqara:

“Give glad tidings to those who believe and do righteous deeds that they will have gardens beneath which rivers flow. Whenever they are provided with fruit from them, they will say, ‘This is what we were provided with before,’ for they will be given fruit resembling it. There they will have purified spouses, and there they will abide forever.” [al-Baqara: 25]

⦗621⦘ He, Mighty and Majestic, also says:

“Indeed, those who believe, do righteous deeds, establish prayer, and give zakat will have their reward with their Lord. No fear will come upon them, nor will they grieve.” [al-Baqara: 277]

He, exalted is He, says in Surah Āl Imrān:

“As for those who disbelieve, I shall punish them with a severe punishment in this world and the Hereafter, and they will have no helpers. As for those who believe and do righteous deeds, He will pay them their rewards in full. Allah does not love the wrongdoers.” [Āl Imrān: 57]

He, Mighty and Majestic, says in Surah al-Nisā:

“As for those who believe and do righteous deeds, We shall admit them into gardens beneath which rivers flow, abiding therein forever. There they will have purified spouses, and We shall admit them into deep and abundant shade.” [al-Nisā: 57]

He, Mighty and Majestic, says:

“As for those who believe and do righteous deeds, We shall admit them into gardens beneath which rivers flow, abiding therein forever. Allah’s promise is true—and who is more truthful in speech than Allah?” [al-Nisā: 122]

He, majestic and exalted, says:

“The Messiah would never disdain to be a servant of Allah, nor would the angels brought near to Him. Whoever disdains His worship and acts arrogantly, He will gather them all before Him. As for those who believe and do righteous deeds, He will pay them their rewards in full and give them yet more from His bounty.” [al-Nisā: 172]—to the end of the verse.

⦗622⦘ He, exalted is He, says in Surah al-Māida:

“Allah has promised those who believe and do righteous deeds forgiveness and a tremendous reward. As for those who disbelieve and deny Our signs, they are the inhabitants of the Blazing Fire.” [al-Māida: 9]

He, Mighty and Majestic, says in Surah al-Anām:

“We send the messengers only as bearers of glad tidings and warners. Whoever believes and reforms will have no fear, nor will they grieve.” [al-Anām: 48]

He, Mighty and Majestic, says in Surah al-Arāf:

“As for those who believe and do righteous deeds—We do not burden any soul beyond its capacity—they are the inhabitants of Paradise, abiding therein forever. We shall remove whatever rancor lies within their breasts, while rivers flow beneath them. They will say, ‘All praise belongs to Allah, who guided us to this. We would never have been guided had Allah not guided us. The messengers of our Lord certainly came with the truth.’ They will be called: ‘This is the Paradise you have inherited because of what you used to do.’” [al-Arāf: 42]

He, Mighty and Majestic, says in Surah Barāa:

“Those who believed, emigrated, and strove in the path of Allah with their wealth and their lives are greater in rank before Allah. It is they who are triumphant. Their Lord gives them glad tidings of mercy from Him, His pleasure, and gardens in which they will have lasting bliss, abiding therein forever. Indeed, with Allah is a tremendous reward.” [al-Tawba: 20]

He, Mighty and Majestic, also says in Surah Barāa:

“But the Messenger and those who believe with him strive with their wealth and their lives. It is they who will have all good things, and it is they who are successful.” [al-Tawba: 88]

⦗623⦘ Muhammad ibn al-Husayn—may Allah Most High have mercy upon him—said: Take heed—may Allah have mercy upon you—from what you hear. Their Generous Master did not grant them all this good through faith alone; rather, He, Mighty and Majestic, also mentioned their emigration and their striving with their wealth and their lives.

You already know that Allah, Mighty and Majestic, mentioned people who believed in Mecca but did not emigrate with the Messenger of Allah—peace and blessings be upon him. What did He say concerning them? It is His saying:

“As for those who believed but did not emigrate, you owe them no protection whatsoever until they emigrate.” [al-Anfāl: 72]

Then He mentioned people who believed in Mecca and were able to emigrate but did not do so. He made a statement about them more severe than this, namely His saying, Mighty and Majestic is He:

“Indeed, when the angels take the souls of those who have wronged themselves, they will ask, ‘What circumstances were you in?’ They will reply, ‘We were oppressed in the land.’ The angels will say, ‘Was Allah’s earth not spacious enough for you to emigrate?’ Their refuge will be Hell—what an evil destination!” [al-Nisā: 97]

Then He, majestic is His remembrance, excused those who, after believing, were unable to emigrate or set out. He, Mighty and Majestic, said:

“Except the oppressed among men, women, and children who have no means ⦗624⦘ and cannot find a way. It may well be that Allah will pardon them.” [al-Nisā: 98]—to the end of the verse.

Muhammad ibn al-Husayn—may Allah Most High have mercy upon him—said: All of this demonstrates that faith consists of belief in the heart, profession with the tongue, and action with the limbs. Nothing contrary to this is permissible. This is a refutation of the Murjia, whom Satan has made his playthings. Discern this carefully and you will understand, if Allah wills.

He, Mighty and Majestic, says in Surah Yūnus:

“To Him is the return of all of you. Allah’s promise is true. He originates creation and then restores it, so that He may justly reward those who believe and do righteous deeds.” [Yūnus: 4]

He Most High says:

“Indeed, those who believe and do righteous deeds—their Lord will guide them through their faith. Rivers will flow beneath them in Gardens of Bliss.” [Yūnus: 9]

He Most High says:

“Those who believe and remain mindful of Allah will receive glad tidings in the life of this world and in the Hereafter. There is no changing the words of Allah. That is the supreme triumph.” [Yūnus: 63]

He Most High says in Surah al-Rad:

“Those who believe and whose hearts find rest in the remembrance of Allah—surely, in the remembrance of Allah hearts find rest. Those who believe and do righteous deeds will have blessedness and an excellent homecoming.” [al-Rad: 28]

⦗625⦘ He Most High says in Surah Ibrāhīm:

“Those who believe and do righteous deeds will be admitted into gardens beneath which rivers flow, abiding therein forever by their Lord’s permission. Their greeting therein will be, ‘Peace.’” [Ibrāhīm: 23]

He Most High says in Surah Subhān:

“Indeed, this Quran guides to that which is most upright and gives glad tidings to the believers who do righteous deeds that they will have a great reward.” [al-Isrā: 9]

He Most High says in Surah al-Kahf:

“All praise belongs to Allah, who sent down the Book to His servant and placed no crookedness in it, but made it perfectly upright, to warn of a severe punishment from Him and to give glad tidings to the believers who do righteous deeds that they will have an excellent reward, in which they will remain forever.” [al-Kahf: 1]

He Most High says:

“Indeed, those who believe and do righteous deeds—We never cause the reward of anyone who does good to be lost. It is they who will have the Gardens of Eden, beneath which rivers flow. There they will be adorned with bracelets of gold and wear green garments of fine silk and rich brocade, reclining upon couches. How excellent is the reward, and how beautiful a resting place!” [al-Kahf: 30]

He Most High says:

“Indeed, those who believe and do righteous deeds will have the Gardens of Paradise as their lodging, abiding therein forever and never desiring to leave.” [al-Kahf: 107]

He Most High says in Surah Maryam:

“Then there came after them generations who neglected prayer and followed their desires, so they will meet with ruin—except those who repent, believe, and do righteous deeds. ⦗626⦘ They will enter Paradise and will not be wronged in the least.” [Maryam: 59]

He Most High also says in Surah Maryam:

“Indeed, those who believe and do righteous deeds—the Most Merciful will bestow love upon them.” [Maryam: 96]

He Most High says in Surah Tā Hā:

“Whoever comes to Him as a believer, having done righteous deeds, will have the highest ranks: Gardens of Eden beneath which rivers flow, abiding therein forever. That is the reward of those who purify themselves.”

He Most High says:

“Indeed, I am truly Most Forgiving to whoever repents, believes, does righteous deeds, and then remains rightly guided.” [Tā Hā: 82]

He Most High says in Surah al-Hajj:

“Indeed, Allah will admit those who believe and do righteous deeds into gardens beneath which rivers flow. Allah certainly does whatever He wills.” [al-Hajj: 14]

He, Mighty and Majestic, says:

“Indeed, Allah will admit those who believe and do righteous deeds into gardens beneath which rivers flow. They will be adorned ⦗627⦘ therein with bracelets of gold and pearls, and their clothing therein will be silk.” [al-Hajj: 23]

He Most High says:

“Say, ‘O mankind, I am only a clear warner to you.’ Those who believe and do righteous deeds will have forgiveness and an honorable provision.” [al-Hajj: 49]

He Most High says:

“All sovereignty that Day will belong to Allah, and He will judge between them. Those who believe and do righteous deeds will be in Gardens of Bliss.” [al-Hajj: 56]

He Most High says in Surah al-Ankabūt:

“As for those who believe and do righteous deeds, We shall surely absolve them of their evil deeds and reward them according to the best of what they used to do.” [al-Ankabūt: 7]

He Most High says:

“As for those who believe and do righteous deeds, We shall surely lodge them in lofty chambers of Paradise beneath which rivers flow, abiding therein forever. How excellent is the reward of those who labor—those who remain patient and place their trust in their Lord!” [al-Ankabūt: 58]

He Most High says in Surah al-Rūm:

“On the Day the Hour comes, they will be divided. As for those who believe and do righteous deeds, they will be delighted in a garden.” [al-Rūm: 14]

He Most High says in Surah Luqmān:

“Indeed, those who believe and do righteous deeds will have Gardens of Bliss, abiding therein forever. Allah’s promise is true, and He is the Almighty, the All-Wise.” [Luqmān: 8]

⦗628⦘ He Most High says in Surah al-Sajda:

“Is one who is a believer like one who is defiantly disobedient? They are not equal. As for those who believe and do righteous deeds, they will have the Gardens of Refuge as a welcome because of what they used to do.” [al-Sajda: 18]

He Most High says in Surah Saba:

“So that He may reward those who believe and do righteous deeds. It is they who will have forgiveness and an honorable provision.” [Saba: 4]

He Most High says:

“Neither your wealth nor your children can bring you nearer to Us—except those who believe and do righteous deeds. They will receive a multiplied reward for what they did, and they will be secure in the lofty chambers.” [Saba: 37]

He Most High says in Surah Fātir:

“Those who disbelieve will have a severe punishment, while those who believe and do righteous deeds will have forgiveness and a great reward.” [Fātir: 7]

He Most High says in Surah al-Zumar, from His words:

“Those who remained mindful of their Lord will be led to Paradise in groups until, when they arrive and its gates are opened…”

—to His words:

“How excellent is the reward of those who labor!” [al-Zumar: 74]

He Most High says in Surah Hā Mīm Ayn Sīn Qāf:

“You will see the wrongdoers fearful because of what they have earned, ⦗629⦘ and it will inevitably befall them. But those who believe and do righteous deeds will be in the meadows of the Gardens. They will have whatever they desire with their Lord. That is the great bounty.”

He Most High says:

“That is what Allah gives as glad tidings to His servants who believe and do righteous deeds.” [al-Shūrā: 23]

He Most High says in Surah al-Zukhruf:

“Close friends that Day will be enemies to one another, except those mindful of Allah. ‘O My servants! No fear will come upon you today, nor will you grieve—you who believed in Our signs and submitted. Enter Paradise, you and your spouses, rejoicing.’” [al-Zukhruf: 67]

—to His words:

“That is the Paradise which you have been made to inherit because of what you used to do.” [al-Zukhruf: 72]

He Most High says in Surah al-Jāthiya, from His words:

“You will see every nation kneeling…” [al-Jāthiya: 28]

—to His words:

“As for those who believe and do righteous deeds, their Lord will admit them into His mercy. That is the manifest triumph.” [al-Jāthiya: 30]

⦗630⦘ He Most High says in Surah al-Ahqāf:

“Indeed, those who say, ‘Our Lord is Allah,’ and then remain steadfast will have no fear, nor will they grieve. They are the inhabitants of Paradise, abiding therein forever as a reward for what they used to do.” [al-Ahqāf: 13]

He Most High says in Surah Muhammad—peace and blessings be upon him:

“Those who disbelieve and hinder others from Allah’s path—He has rendered their deeds fruitless. As for those who believe, do righteous deeds, and believe in what was sent down to Muhammad—and it is the truth from their Lord—He will absolve them of their evil deeds and set their condition aright.” [Muhammad: 1]

He Most High says:

“Indeed, Allah admits those who believe and do righteous deeds into gardens beneath which rivers flow.” [al-Hajj: 14]

—to His words:

“An abode for them.” [Fussilat: 24]

He says in Surah al-Taghābun:

“Whoever believes in Allah and does righteous deeds, He will absolve him of his evil deeds and admit him into gardens beneath which rivers flow, abiding therein forever. That is the supreme triumph.” ⦗631⦘ [al-Taghābun: 9]

He says in Surah al-Talāq:

“Whoever believes in Allah and does righteous deeds, He will admit him into gardens beneath which rivers flow.” [al-Talāq: 11]

He Most High says in Surah “When the Sky Is Split Open,” from His words:

“As for the one who is given his record in his right hand…” [al-Inshiqāq: 7]

—to His words:

“Except those who believe and do righteous deeds; they will have an unending reward.” [al-Inshiqāq: 25]

He Most High says in Surah al-Burūj:

“Indeed, those who believe and do righteous deeds will have gardens beneath which rivers flow. That is the great triumph.” [al-Burūj: 11]

He Most High says in Surah “The Fig and the Olive”:

“Except those who believe and do righteous deeds; they will have an unending reward.” [al-Tīn: 6]

He Most High says in Surah al-Bayyina, from His words:

“Those who disbelieved among the People of ⦗632⦘ the Book…” [al-Bayyina: 1]

—to His words:

“Indeed, those who believe and do righteous deeds—it is they who are the best of creation.” [al-Bayyina: 7]

He, Mighty and Majestic, says in Surah al-Asr:

“By time! Indeed, mankind is surely in loss, except those who believe, do righteous deeds, counsel one another to uphold the truth, and counsel one another to remain patient.” [al-Asr: 1]

Muhammad ibn al-Husayn said: Carefully consider—may Allah have mercy upon you—the words of your Generous Master: has He mentioned faith in a single place in the Quran without coupling righteous deeds with it?

He Most High says:

“To Him ascends the good word, and righteous action raises it.” [Fātir: 10]

Allah Most High has thus informed us that the good word is truly raised to Allah Most High through action. If there is no action, the speaker’s words are rendered void and rejected. No good word is more sublime than the affirmation of Allah’s oneness, and no righteous deed is more sublime than performing the obligatory duties.