The Conditions for your Deeds to be Accepted

In The Name of Allah Most Gracious Most Merciful

On the Day of Judgement Allah (SWT) will account us for every single deed we do, however big or small. Many people will meet Allah (SWT) in the Aakhirah (hereafter) with good deeds the size of mountains but Allah (SWT) will reject and turn them away. In fact, some people will meet Allah (SWT) with years of Salawaat (prayers) but only a few of them will be accepted. The reasons for this could be many, and this is what we will be discussing in this short article inshaa-Allah.

If you wish for all your good deeds to be accepted by Allah (SWT) there are certain pillars and conditions which you must fulfil. If any of these pillars are not fulfilled, your deeds will never be accepted by Allah. The pillars of any action are three-fold:



- All your deeds must be based on the Wahy (revelation)


- They must be done sincerely for Allah's sake (al-Ikhlaas)


- They must be in accordance with the right 'Aqeedah and Manhaj (belief and method)


1. All your deeds must be based on the Wahy (revelation)


Any deed which is not based upon the wahy is not a good deed. Likewise, any Muslim who does an action before he asks for its hukm is committing a sin and will be punished by our Almighty Lord (SWT) as every action must be based on evidence (Qur'aan and Sunnah). Allah (SWT) says in the Qur'aan: "…And whatsoever the Messenger (SAW) gives you, take it, and whatsoever he forbids you, abstain (from it), and fear Allah. Verily, Allah is severe in punishment." (EMQ 59: 7)


And the Messenger Muhammad (saw) said:
“Whosoever does an action which is not based upon our teachings is rejected (will not be accepted by Allah)."
(Riyaad us-Saaliheen, Book 297, hadeeth #1647)


Therefore, any action which is not based upon the wahy will never be accepted. Many people often give Fataawaa or divine verdicts based upon benefit, ration or desire. None of these are forms of wahy; rather they are forms of Taaghout which you are obliged to reject!


2. They must be done sincerely for Allah's sake (al-Ikhlaas)


All your deeds should be done for the purpose of seeking the pleasure of Allah. Many people claim that their deeds are sincerely done for Allah's sake; however things are not always as they seem. Some people do good deeds in order to show-off and impress others. Whilst others may do them in order to gain respect, or even out of culture i.e. a sister may cover (with khimaar) as it is part of her culture – this is not for the sake of Allah (SWT).
Other people do deeds in order to impress the others and give them a good "image" of Islam, not caring whether it is based upon the Sunnah or not. This again is another example of a deed which is not done for Allah's sake. The Almighty says in the Qur'aan: "And they were commanded not, but that they should worship Allah sincerely for Allah's sake and Deen, and perform as-Salaat and give Zakaat; and that is the right religion." (EMQ 98: 5)

And also: "Say: 'Verily, I am commanded to worship Allah (alone) by obeying Him and doing religious deeds sincerely for His sake only. And I am commanded (this) in order that I may be the first of those who submit themselves to Allah (in Islam) as Muslims.'
Say: 'Verily, if I disobey my Lord, I am afraid of the torment of a great Day.'
Say: 'Allah alone I worship by doing religious deeds sincerely for His sake only (and not to show-off, and not to set up rivals with Him in worship).'
So worship what you like besides Him. Say: 'The losers are those who will lose themselves and their families on the Day of Resurrection. Verily, that will be a manifest loss!'"
(EMQ 39: 11-15)


3. They must be in accordance with the right 'Aqeedah and Manhaj (belief and method)


It is not enough for your deeds to be based upon the wahy and done sincerely for the sake of Allah (swt). They must also be done in accordance with the 'Aqeedah and Manhaj (methodology) of Ahl us-Sunnah wal-Jamaa'ah.

Deeds are like a roof or ceiling, and the 'Aqeedah in like the base or foundation - if you have good deeds but an incorrect 'Aqeedah the roof will collapse. Allah (swt) says in the Qur'aan: "So if they (the Muslims) believe the way you (the Messenger Muhammad [SAW] and his Companions [RA]) believe they will be guided. But if they turn away (by following a different path) they are only in opposition." (EMQ 2: 137)
“They are those for whom there is nothing in the Hereafter but Fire; and vain are the deeds they did therein. And of no effect is that which they used to do." (EMQ 11: 16)
"And we shall turn to whatever deeds they did, and we shall make such deeds as scattered floating particles of dust." (EMQ 25: 23)


Therefore, be aware that doing good deeds will never save you from the Hellfire unless they are based upon the revelation, are done sincerely for the sake of Allah (SWT), and are in accordance with the correct manhaj. Those who do an action, such as to vote for man-made law, and claim that they want to bring some benefit and prevent harm, their deeds will never be accepted and they will be punished by Allah (swt) in an incredible way.


Jazaak Alllah Khair for reading.