بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

Assalamu Alaikum.

How can one truly benefit their parents and children?

Answer: The same way they benefit themselves – by doing good deeds.

[Important note: A good deed means what is considered good according to the Quran and Sunnah, and not a person’s opinion.]

Parents 

Your righteousness helps your parents. Here is what happens if you spend more time with the Quran:

عن بريدة رضي الله عنه قال : قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم : من قرأ القرآنَ وتعلَّمه وعمِل به؛ أُلبِسَ والداه يومَ القيامةِ تاجًا من نورٍ، ضوؤه مثلُ ضوءِ الشمسِ، ويُكسَى والداه حُلَّتانِ لا تقوم لهما الدُّنيا، فيقولان : بمَ كسبْنا هذا ؟ فيقال : بأخْذِ ولدِ كما القرآنَ

It was narrated that Buraidah (radiallahu anhu) said: The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) said: Whoever recites the Quran, learns it and acts according to it will be given a crown of light to wear on the Day of Judgement whose light will be like the sun. His parents will be clothed in two garments that did not exist in this worldly life. So they will say: ‘What has caused us to be clothed (in these garments)?’ It will be said “Your child taking hold of the Quran has caused this.” [Sahih At-Targheeb, Hadeeth No. 1434]

عَنْ بُرَيْدَةَ قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ إِنَّ الْقُرْآنَ يَلْقَى صَاحِبَهُ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ حِينَ يَنْشَقُّ عَنْهُ قَبْرُهُ كَالرَّجُلِ الشَّاحِبِ فَيَقُولُ لَهُ هَلْ تَعْرِفُنِي فَيَقُولُ مَا أَعْرِفُكَ فَيَقُولُ أَنَا صَاحِبُكَ الْقُرْآنُ الَّذِي أَظْمَأْتُكَ فِي الْهَوَاجِرِ وَأَسْهَرْتُ لَيْلَكَ وَإِنَّ كُلَّ تَاجِرٍ مِنْ وَرَاءِ تِجَارَتِهِ وَإِنَّكَ الْيَوْمَ مِنْ وَرَاءِ كُلِّ تِجَارَةٍ فَيُعْطَى الْمُلْكَ بِيَمِينِهِ وَالْخُلْدَ بِشِمَالِهِ وَيُوضَعُ عَلَى رَأْسِهِ تَاجُ الْوَقَارِ وَيُكْسَى وَالِدَاهُ حُلَّتَيْنِ لَا يُقَوَّمُ لَهُمَا أَهْلُ الدُّنْيَا فَيَقُولَانِ بِمَ كُسِينَا هَذَا فَيُقَالُ بِأَخْذِ وَلَدِكُمَا الْقُرْآنَ ثُمَّ يُقَالُ لَهُ اقْرَأْ وَاصْعَدْ فِي دَرَجِ الْجَنَّةِ وَغُرَفِهَا فَهُوَ فِي صُعُودٍ مَا دَامَ يَقْرَأُ هَذًّا كَانَ أَوْ تَرْتِيلًا

Buraydah (radiallahu anhu) narrated: The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) said, “Verily, the Quran will meet its companion on the Day of Resurrection, when his grave is cleaved open, as a pale man, saying: Do you recognize me? He will say: I do not recognize you. The pale man will say: I am your companion, the Quran, who made you thirsty in the midday heat and sleepless at night, for every trader is beyond his trade, and today you are beyond every transaction. He will be given the dominion in his right hand and eternal life in his left hand. A crown of dignity will be placed on his head and his parents will be clothed in two garments, which no people from the world could ever afford. They will say: Why have you dressed us with this? It will be said: Your child held to the Quran. Then it will be said to him: Recite and ascend the levels of Paradise and its chambers! He will continue to ascend as long as he recites, whether slowly or quickly.” [Musnad Ahmad, Hadeeth No. 22950. Shuaib Al-Arnaut stated that its isnaad (chain of narrators) was “hasan” (good) due to corroborating evidence. Note: The full narration has not been mentioned here.]

If they pass away, your deeds benefit them as well.

عَنْ عَائِشَةَ، قَالَتْ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ـ صلى الله عليه وسلم ـ ‏ : إِنَّ أَطْيَبَ مَا أَكَلَ الرَّجُلُ مِنْ كَسْبِهِ وَإِنَّ وَلَدَهُ مِنْ كَسْبِهِ ‏

وَأَن لَّيْسَ لِلْإِنسَانِ إِلَّا مَا سَعَىٰ

وَأَنَّ سَعْيَهُ سَوْفَ يُرَىٰ

ثُمَّ يُجْزَاهُ الْجَزَاءَ الْأَوْفَىٰ ‎

And that man can have nothing but what he does (good or bad). And that his deeds will be seen, then he will be recompensed with a full and the best recompense. [Surah An-Najm (53) : 39 – 41]

Ibn Kathir states in his explanation of the above ayaat (verses):

“Allah said,

وَأَن لَّيْسَ لِلإِنسَـنِ إِلاَّ مَا سَعَى

(And that man can have nothing but what he does.) So just as no soul shall carry the burden of any other, the soul shall only benefit from the good that one earns for himself. As for the hadith recorded by Muslim in the Sahih, that Abu Hurayrah said that the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) said,

«إِذَا مَاتَ الْإِنْسَانُ انْقَطَعَ عَمَلُهُ إِلَّا مِنْ ثَلَاثٍ: مِنْ وَلَدٍ صَالِحٍ يَدْعُو لَهُ، أَوْ صَدَقَةٍ جَارِيَةٍ مِنْ بَعْدِهِ، أَوْ عِلْمٍ يُنْتَفَعُ بِه»

(When a person dies, his deeds will cease except in three cases: from a righteous son who invokes Allah for him, or an ongoing charity after his death, or knowledge that people benefit from.) These three things are, in reality, a result of one’s own deeds, efforts and actions. For example, a hadith states,

«إِنَّ أَطْيَبَ مَا أَكَلَ الرَّجُلُ مِنْ كَسْبِهِ، وَإِنَّ وَلَدَهُ مِنْ كَسْبِه»

(Verily, the best type of provision that one consumes is from what he himself has earned, and one’s offspring are among what he has earned.) The ongoing charity that one leaves behind, like an endowment, for example, are among the traces of his own actions and deeds. Allah the Exalted said,

إِنَّا نَحْنُ نُحْىِ الْمَوْتَى وَنَكْتُبُ مَاَ قَدَّمُواْ وَءَاثَارَهُمْ

(Verily, We give life to the dead, and We record that which they send before (them) and their traces.)(36:12) The knowledge that one spreads among people which they are guided by is among his actions and deeds. A hadith collected in the Sahih states,

«مَنْ دَعَا إِلَى هُدًى كَانَ لَهُ مِنَ الْأَجْرِ مِثْلُ أُجُورِ مَنِ اتَّبَعَهُ، مِنْ غَيْرِ أَنْ يَنْقُصَ مِنْ أُجُورِهِمْ شَيْئًا»

(Whoever invites to guidance, he will earn as much reward as those who follow him, without decreasing anything out of their own rewards.) Allah said,

وَأَنَّ سَعْيَهُ سَوْفَ يُرَى

(And that his deeds will be seen.) meaning, on the Day of Resurrection,

وَقُلِ اعْمَلُواْ فَسَيَرَى اللَّهُ عَمَلَكُمْ وَرَسُولُهُ وَالْمُؤْمِنُونَ وَسَتُرَدُّونَ إِلَى عَـلِمِ الْغَيْبِ وَالشَّهَـدَةِ فَيُنَبِّئُكُمْ بِمَا كُنتُمْ تَعْمَلُونَ

(And say: “Do deeds! Allah will see your deeds, and (so will) His Messenger and the believers. And you will be brought back to the All-Knower of the unseen and the seen. Then He will inform you of what you used to do.”) (9:105), Then Allah will remind you of your actions and recompense you for them in the best manner, good for good and evil for evil. Allah’s statement here,

ثُمَّ يُجْزَاهُ الْجَزَآءَ الأَوْفَى

(Then he will be recompensed with a full and the best recompense.)“

That was for parents. What about children?

Children

The story of Musa (alaihissalaam) along with Khidr offers insight into this issue. One of the places that they visit is a village.

 فَانطَلَقَا حَتَّىٰ إِذَا أَتَيَا أَهْلَ قَرْيَةٍ اسْتَطْعَمَا أَهْلَهَا فَأَبَوْا أَن يُضَيِّفُوهُمَا فَوَجَدَا فِيهَا جِدَارًا يُرِيدُ أَن يَنقَضَّ فَأَقَامَهُ ۖ قَالَ لَوْ شِئْتَ لَاتَّخَذْتَ عَلَيْهِ أَجْرًا

Then they both proceeded, till, when they came to the people of a town, they asked them for food, but they refused to entertain them. Then they found therein a wall about to collapse and he (Khidr) set it up straight. He (Musa) said: If you had wished, surely, you could have taken wages for it!” [Surah Al-Kahf (18) : 77]

Al-Khidr then explains why he set the wall straight though the people had refused to host them.

وَأَمَّا الْجِدَارُ فَكَانَ لِغُلَامَيْنِ يَتِيمَيْنِ فِي الْمَدِينَةِ وَكَانَ تَحْتَهُ كَنزٌ لَّهُمَا وَكَانَ أَبُوهُمَا صَالِحًا فَأَرَادَ رَبُّكَ أَن يَبْلُغَا أَشُدَّهُمَا وَيَسْتَخْرِجَا كَنزَهُمَا رَحْمَةً مِّن رَّبِّكَ ۚ وَمَا فَعَلْتُهُ عَنْ أَمْرِي ۚ ذَٰلِكَ تَأْوِيلُ مَا لَمْ تَسْطِع عَّلَيْهِ صَبْرًا

“And as for the wall, it belonged to two orphan boys in the town; and there was under it a treasure belonging to them; and their father was a righteous man, and your Lord intended that they should attain their age of full strength and take out their treasure as a mercy from your Lord. And I did it not of my own accord. That is the interpretation of those (things) over which you could not hold patience.” [Surah Al-Kahf (18) : 82]

Ibn Kathir stated in his explanation of the above ayah:

“The meaning of the Ayah 18:82 is: “I repaired this wall because it belonged to two orphan boys in the city, and underneath it was some treasure belonging to them.” Ikrimah, Qatadah and others said, “Underneath it there was some wealth that was buried for them.” This meaning is apparent from the context of the Ayah (verse), and is the view chosen by Ibn Jarir (may Allah have mercy on him).

وَكَانَ أَبُوهُمَا صَـلِحاً

(their father was a righteous man,) indicates that a righteous person’s offspring will be taken care of, and that the blessing of his worship will extend to them in this world and in the Hereafter. This will occur through his intercession for them, as well as their status being raised to the highest levels of Paradise, so that he may find joy in them. This was stated in the Quran and reported in the Sunnah. Said bin Jubayr narrated from Ibn Abbas: “They were taken care of because their father was a righteous man, although it is not stated that they themselves were righteous.”

فَأَرَادَ رَبُّكَ أَن يَبْلُغَآ أَشُدَّهُمَا وَيَسْتَخْرِجَا كَنزَهُمَا

(your Lord intended that they should attain their age of full strength and take out their treasure) Here will is attributed to Allah, the Exalted, because no one else is able to bring them to the age of full strength and puberty except Allah.”

In the full version of Tafsir Ibn Kathir (i.e. the Arabic version), an additional detail is mentioned. It is said that between the orphans and the “father” that is mentioned here, there were seven fathers. This means that this was their 8th grandfather – not their direct father. This implies that obedience to Allah might affect generations of offspring, subhan Allah.

Children could also get elevated in the Hereafter due to their parent’s righteousness.

Allah says:

وَالَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَاتَّبَعَتْهُمْ ذُرِّيَّتُهُم بِإِيمَانٍ أَلْحَقْنَا بِهِمْ ذُرِّيَّتَهُمْ وَمَا أَلَتْنَاهُم مِّنْ عَمَلِهِم مِّن شَيْءٍ ۚ كُلُّ امْرِئٍ بِمَا كَسَبَ رَهِينٌ

And those who believe and whose offspring follow them in Faith, to them shall We join their offspring, and We shall not decrease the reward of their deeds in anything. Every person is a pledge for that which he has earned. [Surah At-Tur (52) : 21]

Ibn Kathir stated in his explanation of the the above ayah (verse):

“In this Ayah, Allah the Exalted affirms His favor, generosity, graciousness, compassion and beneficence towards His creation. When the offspring of the righteous believers imitate their parents regarding faith, Allah will elevate the latter to the ranks of the former, even though the latter did not perform deeds as goodly as their parents. Allah will comfort the eyes of the parents by seeing their offspring elevated to their grades. Surely, Allah will gather them together in the best manner, and He will not decrease the reward or the grades of those higher in rank for joining them together, hence His statement,

أَلْحَقْنَا بِهِمْ ذُرِّيَّتَهُمْ وَمَآ أَلَتْنَـهُمْ مِّنْ عَمَلِهِم مِّن شَىْءٍ

(to them shall We join their offspring, and We shall not decrease the reward of their deeds in anything.) Ath-Thawri reported that Ibn Abbas said, “Verily, Allah elevates the ranks of the believers’ offspring to rank of their parents, even though the latter have not performed as well as the former, so that the eyes of the parents are comforted.” Ibn Abbas then recited this Ayah,

وَالَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ وَاتَّبَعَتْهُمْ ذُرِّيَّتُهُم بِإِيمَـنٍ أَلْحَقْنَا بِهِمْ ذُرِّيَّتَهُمْ وَمَآ أَلَتْنَـهُمْ مِّنْ عَمَلِهِم مِّن شَىْءٍ

(And those who believe and whose offspring follow them in faith, — to them shall We join their offspring, and We shall not decrease the reward of their deeds in anything.) Ibn Jarir and Ibn Abi Hatim recorded this statement from Sufyan Ath-Thawri from Ibn Abbas. Ibn Abi Hatim also recorded that Ibn Abbas commented on Allah’s statement,

وَالَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ وَاتَّبَعَتْهُمْ ذُرِّيَّتُهُم بِإِيمَـنٍ أَلْحَقْنَا بِهِمْ ذُرِّيَّتَهُمْ

(And those who believe and whose offspring follow them in faith, — to them shall We join their offspring.) saying, “They are the offspring of the believers who died on the faith. If the ranks of their parents are higher than their ranks, they will be joined with their parents. No part of the reward their parents received for their good deeds will be reduced for them.” Abdullah, son of Imam Ahmad, recorded that Ali said, “Khadijah asked the Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) about two of her children who died during the time of Jahiliyyah (the pre-Islamic era), and the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) said;

«هُمَا فِي النَّار»

(They are both in the Fire.) When he saw sadness on her face, he said,

«لَوْ رَأَيْتِ مَكَانَهُمَا لَأَبْغَضْتِهِمَا»

(If you saw their dwelling place, you would hate them.) She said, `O Allah’s Messenger! What about my children with you.’ He said,

«فِي الْجَنَّة»

(They are in Paradise.) The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) said,

«إِنَّ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ وَأَوْلَادَهُمْ فِي الْجَنَّةِ، وَإِنَّ الْمُشْرِكِينَ وَأَوْلَادَهُمْ فِي النَّار»

(Verily, the believers and their offspring will dwell in Paradise, while the idolators and their offspring will dwell in the Hellfire.) The Prophet then recited the Ayah,

وَالَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ وَاتَّبَعَتْهُمْ ذُرِّيَّتُهُم بِإِيمَـنٍ

(And those who believe and whose offspring follow them in faith…)” Certainly, it is Allah’s grace and favor that He grants the children this blessing because of the good deeds of their parents. He also grants His favor to parents on account of their offspring invoking Allah for them. Imam Ahmad recorded that Abu Hurayrah, may Allah be pleased with him, said that the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) said,

«إِنَّ اللهَ لَيَرْفَعُ الدَّرَجَةَ لِلْعَبْدِ الصَّالِحِ فِي الْجَنَّةِ فَيَقُولُ: يَا رَبِّ أَنْى لِي هذِهِ؟ فَيَقُولُ: بِاسْتِغْفَارِ وَلَدِكَ لَك»

(Verily, Allah shall elevate the grade of a righteous servant in Paradise, who will ask, “O Lord! How did I earn this” Allah will reply, “Through your son’s invoking Me to forgive you.”) This Hadith has an authentic chain of narration, but it was not recorded in the Sahih this way. However, there is a witnessing narration for it in Sahih Muslim, from the Hadith of Abu Hurayrah, who said that the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) said,

«إِذَا مَاتَ ابْنُ آدَمَ انْقَطَعَ عَمَلُهُ إِلَّا مِنْ ثَلَاثٍ: صَدَقَةٍ جَارِيَةٍ، أَوْ عِلْمٍ يُنْتَفَعُ بِهِ، أَوْ وَلَدٍ صَالِحٍ يَدْعُو لَه»

(When the Son of Adam dies, his record of deeds will cease except in three cases: an ongoing charity, knowledge that people are benefiting from and a righteous son who invokes Allah for him.)”

Does this apply to all children though? It seems that it might only apply to small children. Please refer to this article for more information.

The following hadeeth might also point to this.

عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ مَا مِنْ مُسْلِمَيْنِ يَمُوتُ لَهُمَا ثَلَاثَةُ أَوْلَادٍ لَمْ يَبْلُغُوا الْحِنْثَ إِلَّا أَدْخَلَهُمَا اللَّهُ وَإِيَّاهُمْ بِفَضْلِ رَحْمَتِهِ الْجَنَّةَ وَقَالَ يُقَالُ لَهُمْ ادْخُلُوا الْجَنَّةَ قَالَ فَيَقُولُونَ حَتَّى يَجِيءَ أَبَوَانَا قَالَ ثَلَاثَ مَرَّاتٍ فَيَقُولُونَ مِثْلَ ذَلِكَ فَيُقَالُ لَهُمْ ادْخُلُوا الْجَنَّةَ أَنْتُمْ وَأَبَوَاكُمْ

It was narrated that Abu Hurairah (radiallahu anhu) said: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “There is no Muslim couple whose three children die before reaching maturity but that Allah will admit them into Paradise by His mercy. It will be said to them: Enter Paradise! They will say: Let our parents come along!” He (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) said three times, “They will say likewise until it is said to them: Enter Paradise, you and your parents!” [Musnad Ahmad, Hadeeth No. 10622. Shuaib Al-Arnaut stated that its “isnaad” (chain of narrators) was “sahih” (authentic) on the conditions of the two Shaikhs (i.e. Al-Bukhari and Muslim.)]

There is another hadeeth that talks about this issue. It seems to refer to those who died young – although that is not directly stated.

عَنْ شُرَحْبِيلَ بْنِ شُفْعَةَ عَنْ النَّبِيِّ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ قَالَ يُقَالُ لِلْوِلْدَانِ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ ادْخُلُوا الْجَنَّةَ قَالَ فَيَقُولُونَ يَا رَبِّ حَتَّى يَدْخُلَ آبَاؤُنَا وَأُمَّهَاتُنَا قَالَ فَيَأْتُونَ قَالَ فَيَقُولُ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ مَا لِي أَرَاهُمْ مُحْبَنْطِئِينَ ادْخُلُوا الْجَنَّةَ قَالَ فَيَقُولُونَ يَا رَبِّ آبَاؤُنَا وَأُمَّهَاتُنَا قَالَ فَيَقُولُ ادْخُلُوا الْجَنَّةَ أَنْتُمْ وَآبَاؤُكُمْ

Shurjeel ibn Shufah reported: The Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wasallam)said, “It will be said to children on the Day of Resurrection: Enter Paradise! They will say: Our Lord, not unless our fathers and mothers enter! Allah, the Might and Sublime, will say: Why do I see them hesitant? Enter Paradise! They will say: O Lord, our fathers and mothers! Allah will say: Enter Paradise, all of you with your parents!” [Musnad Ahmad, Hadeeth No. 16971. Shuaib Al-Arnaut said that its “isnaad” (chain of narrators) was “jayyid” (good).]

Don’t forget about yourself

Remember that in terms of the Hereafter, one gives oneself precedence because each person will be on their own on the Last Day. They will flee from their own parents and children.

يَفِرُّ الْمَرْءُ مِنْ أَخِيهِ

وَأُمِّهِ وَأَبِيهِ

 وَصَاحِبَتِهِ وَبَنِيهِ

لِكُلِّ امْرِئٍ مِّنْهُمْ يَوْمَئِذٍ شَأْنٌ يُغْنِيهِ

That Day shall a man flee from his brother, and from his mother and his father, and from his wife and his children. Every man, that Day, will have enough to make him careless of others. [Surah Abasa (80) : 34 – 37]

Also, when supplicating for parents and children, one needs to remember to start with themselves first. When the Prophets (alaihimissalaam) supplicated to Allah, they started with themselves, before mentioning their parents or children.

رَّبِّ اغْفِرْ لِي وَلِوَالِدَيَّ وَلِمَن دَخَلَ بَيْتِيَ مُؤْمِنًا وَلِلْمُؤْمِنِينَ وَالْمُؤْمِنَاتِ وَلَا تَزِدِ الظَّالِمِينَ إِلَّا تَبَارًا ‎

“My Lord! Forgive me, and my parents, and him who enters my home as a believer, and all the believing men and women. And to the dhaalimoon (polytheists, wrong-doers, and disbelievers, etc.) grant You no increase but destruction!” [Surah Nuh (71) : 28]

وَإِذْ قَالَ إِبْرَاهِيمُ رَبِّ اجْعَلْ هَـٰذَا الْبَلَدَ آمِنًا وَاجْنُبْنِي وَبَنِيَّ أَن نَّعْبُدَ الْأَصْنَامَ

And (remember) when Ibrahim said: “O my Lord! Make this city (Makkah) one of peace and security, and keep me and my sons away from worshipping idols. [Surah Ibrahim (14) : 35]

Concluding words

Doing good deeds will benefit you, your parents AND your offspring. Three birds, one stone.

And this benefit extends to both this life and the Hereafter.

 عَنْ أَنَسِ بْنِ مَالِكٍ، قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏ : إِنَّ اللَّهَ لاَ يَظْلِمُ مُؤْمِنًا حَسَنَةً يُعْطَى بِهَا فِي الدُّنْيَا وَيُجْزَى بِهَا فِي الآخِرَةِ وَأَمَّا الْكَافِرُ فَيُطْعَمُ بِحَسَنَاتِ مَا عَمِلَ بِهَا لِلَّهِ فِي الدُّنْيَا حَتَّى إِذَا أَفْضَى إِلَى الآخِرَةِ لَمْ تَكُنْ لَهُ حَسَنَةٌ يُجْزَى بِهَا ‏‏ ‏

Anas ibn Malik (radiallahu anhu) reported that Allah’s Messenger (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) said: Verily, Allah does not treat a believer unjustly in regard to his virtues. He would confer upon him (His blessing) in this world and would give him reward in the Hereafter. And as regards a non-believer, he would be made to taste the reward (of virtue in this world) what he has done for himself so much that when it would be the Hereafter, he would find no virtue for which he should be rewarded. [Sahih Muslim, Hadeeth No. 6739]

عَنْ أَنَسِ بْنِ مَالِكٍ، أَنَّهُ حَدَّثَ عَنْ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏ :‏ إِنَّ الْكَافِرَ إِذَا عَمِلَ حَسَنَةً أُطْعِمَ بِهَا طُعْمَةً مِنَ الدُّنْيَا وَأَمَّا الْمُؤْمِنُ فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ يَدَّخِرُ لَهُ حَسَنَاتِهِ فِي الآخِرَةِ وَيُعْقِبُهُ رِزْقًا فِي الدُّنْيَا عَلَى طَاعَتِهِ ‏

Anas ibn Malik (radiallahu anhu) reported that Allah’s Messenger (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) thus told him: When a non-believer does good he is made to taste its reward in this world. And so far as the believer is concerned, Allah stores (the reward) of his virtues for the Hereafter and provides him sustenance in accordance with his obedience to Him. [Sahih Muslim, Hadeeth No. 6740]

So, remember to rush to do good deeds.

عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ، أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ ‏ :‏ بَادِرُوا بِالأَعْمَالِ فِتَنًا كَقِطَعِ اللَّيْلِ الْمُظْلِمِ يُصْبِحُ الرَّجُلُ مُؤْمِنًا وَيُمْسِي كَافِرًا وَيُمْسِي مُؤْمِنًا وَيُصْبِحُ كَافِرًا يَبِيعُ أَحَدُهُمْ دِينَهُ بِعَرَضٍ مِنَ الدُّنْيَا ‏‏ ‏

Abu Hurairah (radiallahu anhu) narrated that the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) said: “Rush to do good deeds. A fitnah (trial) will occur that is like a portion of the dark night, morning will come upon a man as a believer, who will be a disbeliever in the evening, and evening will come upon a believer, who will be a disbeliever in the morning. One of them will sell his religion for goods of the world.” [Jaami At-Tirmidhi, Hadeeth No. 2195. Graded “sahih” (authentic) by Al-Albani]

What if the Hour were to come upon you? Well, you squeeze out one more good deed.

عَنْ أَنَسِ بْنِ مَالِكٍ، عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ‏:‏ إِنْ قَامَتِ السَّاعَةُ وَفِي يَدِ أَحَدِكُمْ فَسِيلَةٌ، فَإِنِ اسْتَطَاعَ أَنْ لاَ تَقُومَ حَتَّى يَغْرِسَهَا فَلْيَغْرِسْهَا

Anas ibn Malik (radiallahu anhu) reported that the Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) said, “If the (signs of the) Hour comes while you have a shoot of a plant in your hands and it is possible to plant it before the Hour (actually) comes, he should plant it.” [Al-Adab Al-Mufrad, Hadeeth No. 479. Graded “sahih” (authentic) by Al-Albani.]

After all, the end result is worth it.

 أُولَٰئِكَ أَصْحَابُ الْجَنَّةِ خَالِدِينَ فِيهَا جَزَاءً بِمَا كَانُوا يَعْمَلُونَ

Such shall be the dwellers of Paradise, abiding therein (forever), a reward for what they used to do. [Surah Al-Ahqaf (46) : 14]

Final reminder: Good deeds are not enough to enter Paradise. We need Allah’s Mercy as well.

عَنِ أَبي هُرَيْرَة، قَالَ سَمِعْتُ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم يَقُولُ : لَنْ يُدْخِلَ أَحَدًا عَمَلُهُ الْجَنَّةَ ‏‏‏.‏ قَالُوا وَلاَ أَنْتَ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ قَالَ ‏:‏ لاَ، وَلاَ أَنَا إِلاَّ أَنْ يَتَغَمَّدَنِي اللَّهُ بِفَضْلٍ وَرَحْمَةٍ فَسَدِّدُوا وَقَارِبُوا وَلاَ يَتَمَنَّيَنَّ أَحَدُكُمُ الْمَوْتَ إِمَّا مُحْسِنًا فَلَعَلَّهُ أَنْ يَزْدَادَ خَيْرًا، وَإِمَّا مُسِيئًا فَلَعَلَّهُ أَنْ يَسْتَعْتِبَ ‏‏.‏

Narrated Abu Hurairah (radiallahu anhu): I heard Allah’s Messenger (sallallahu alaihi wasallam)) saying, “The good deeds of any person will not make him enter Paradise.” (i.e., None can enter Paradise through his good deeds.) They said, ‘Not even you, O Allah’s Messenger?’ He said, “Not even myself, unless Allah bestows His favor and mercy on me.” So be moderate in your religious deeds and do the deeds that are within your ability: and none of you should wish for death, for if he is a good doer, he may increase his good deeds, and if he is an evil doer, he may repent to Allah.” [Sahih Al-Bukhari, Volume 7, Hadeeth No. 577]

May Allah make us of those who do good and get admitted to Paradise by His Mercy.

childrengood deedsparents