You are duty-bound to settle your debt first—how, then, can you give charity? Pay what you owe, and only afterwards give in charity.

These hadiths likewise teach that jihad without Islam brings no benefit to the one who undertakes it. A man once sought permission from the Prophet ﷺ and said, “Messenger of Allah, shall I fight and then embrace Islam, or embrace Islam and then fight?” He replied, “Embrace Islam first, then fight.” So the man accepted Islam and then went out to fight. The same rule applies to every righteous deed: Islam is its prerequisite. Allah accepts neither charity, nor pilgrimage, nor fasting, nor any act whatsoever from a person who is not Muslim.

If, for example, we encounter someone who never prays yet fasts often, gives much charity, is cheerful with people, and has fine manners—still, because he does not pray, none of his deeds will avail him on the Day of Resurrection. He may fast Ramadan but neglect the prayer; such fasting is of no value. He may perform the pilgrimage while refusing to pray; that pilgrimage is of no value—indeed, it is forbidden for him to travel to Mecca while he does not pray. Allah the Exalted says, “O you who believe, the polytheists are indeed impure, so let them not approach the Sacred Mosque after this year of theirs” (Q 9:28).

In sum, Islam is the condition for every act of worship. No act is accepted or even valid without Islam. Allah alone grants success.

1314 – Jabir (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: A man asked, “Messenger of Allah, where will I be if I am killed?” He answered, “In Paradise.” The man thereupon tossed aside the few dates that were in his hand, then fought until he was killed. Related by Muslim.