Ikrimah narrated from Ibn Abbas, who said: Before Abraham, peace be upon him, they would hold a man accountable for another’s sin: a man might be killed for the killing committed by his father, son, brother, wife, or slave. Then Abraham, peace be upon him, came and forbade them from this, conveying to them from Allah: “That no bearer of burdens shall bear the burden of another.”

“And that a person shall have only what he strives for.” (39)

“And that a person shall have only what he strives for”—that is, what he has done, as in His saying: “Indeed, your efforts are diverse.” (al-Layl 92:4) This too was contained in the Scrolls of Abraham and Moses.

Ibn Abbas said: This ruling has been abrogated in this Shariah by His saying: “We shall join their descendants with them.” (al-Tur 52:21) Thus, He admits children into Paradise through the righteousness of their fathers.

Ikrimah said: That applied to the people of Abraham and Moses. As for this Ummah, they shall have the reward of what they themselves have striven for and of what others have striven for on their behalf. This is based on the report that a woman lifted up her young child and said, “O Messenger of Allah, is there Hajj for this child?” He said, “Yes, and you shall have a reward.” (1)

A man said to the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him: “My mother died suddenly. Will she receive a reward if I give charity on her behalf?” He said, “Yes.” (2)

Al-Rabi ibn Anas said: “And that a person shall have only what he strives for” refers to the disbeliever. As for the believer, he shall have the reward of what he has striven for and of what is striven for on his behalf. (3)

It was also said: The disbeliever has no share of good except what he himself has done; he is rewarded for it in this world, so that no good remains for him in the Hereafter.