Rewards for Righteousness

[ابوالوليد المسلم]

Rewards for Righteousness (1/5)

Dr. Norlain Dindang


Allah the Exalted gives rewards to anyone who does a single righteous deed. Allah will pay them (in full) their reward. Both the Qur’an and the Sunnah tell us:
“As to those who believe and work righteousness verily We shall not suffer to perish the reward of any who does a (single) righteous deed.” (Qur’an, Surah Al-Kahf, 18:30)
“As to those who believe and work righteousness verily We shall not suffer to perish the reward of any who do a (single) righteous deed. For them will be Gardens of Eternity; beneath them rivers will flow; they will be adorned therein with bracelets of gold and they will wear green garments of fine silk and heavy brocade; they will recline therein on raised thrones. How good the recompense! How beautiful a couch to recline on!” (Qur’an, Surah Al-Kahf, 18: 30-31)
"As to those who believe and work righteousness Allah will pay them (in full) their reward; but Allah loves not those who do wrong.” (Qur’an, Surah Al-‘Imran, 3:57)
Abu Hurairah narrated that Allah’s Messenger said, “If any one of you improve (follows strictly) his Islamic religion then his good deeds will be rewarded ten times to seven hundred times for each good deed and a bad deed will be recorded as it is.” (Reported by Bukhari 1/40)
Jarir narrated that ... Allah’s Messenger said: “He who sets a good precedent in Islam, there is a reward for him for this (act of goodness) and reward of those also who acted according to it subsequently, without any deduction from their rewards. He who sets in Islam an evil precedent, there is upon him its burden, and the burden of those also who acted upon it subsequently, without any deduction from their burden.” (Reported by Muslim 2219)
Anas ibn Maliknarrated that Allah’s Messenger said: “Verily, Allah does not treat a believer unjustly in regard to his virtues. He would confer upon him (His blessings) 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 when it would be the Hereafter, he would find no virtue for which he should be rewarded.” (Reported by Muslim 6739)
Allah does not distinguish anyone, man or woman, when He gives rewards. He makes it clear that He gives due rewards to anyone, male or female, who does a righteous deed. He says:
“If any do deeds of righteousness be they male or female and have faith they will enter heaven and not the least injustice will be done to them.” (Qur’an, Surah An-Nisa’, 4:124)
“Whoever works righteousness man or woman and has faith verily to him will We give a new life a life that is good and pure and We will bestow on such their reward according to the best of their actions.” (Qur’an, Surah An-Nahl, 16:97)

"He that works evil will not be requited but by the like thereof: and he that works a righteous deed whether man or woman and is a believer such will enter the Garden (of Bliss): therein will they have abundance without measure.” (Qur’an, Surah Ghafir, 40:40)
Verily, Allah is ever just as being the Just is part of His Divine Attributes. He makes it clear that He will surely reward the righteous for their good deeds and give due punishment to the unbelievers for their evil deeds. Allah the Most Just says:
“Shall We treat those who believe and work deeds of righteousness the same as those who do mischief on earth? Shall We treat those who guard against evil the same as those who turn aside from the right?” (Qur’an, Surah Saad, 38:28)
“Except such as believe and do righteous deeds: for they shall have a reward unfailing. Then what can after this contradict you; as to the Judgment (to come)? Is not Allah the wisest of Judges?” (Qur’an, Surah At-Tin, 95:6-8)
“What! do those who seek after evil ways think that We shall hold them equal with those who believe and do righteous deeds that equal will be their Life and their death? Ill is the judgment that they make.” (Qur’an, Surah Al-Jathiyah, 45:21)
“Not equal are the blind and those who (clearly) see: nor are (equal) those who believe and work deeds of righteousness and those who do evil. Little do you learn by admonition!” (Qur’an, Surah Ghafir, 40:58)
“Verily for the righteous are Gardens of Delight in the Presence of their Rabb (Cherisher and Sustainer). Shall We then treat the People of Faith like the People of Sin?” (Qur’an, Surah Al-Qalam, 68:34-35)
“Whoever works righteousness benefits his own soul; whoever works evil it is against his own soul: nor is your Rabb (Cherisher and Sustainer) ever unjust (in the least) to His servants.” (Qur’an, Surah Fussilat, 41:46)
For our benefit, we must strive hard to be righteous and do more deeds of righteousness. Allah’s promise to the righteous is a reward that will never fail. Every good deed done is recorded:
“So whoever does righteous good deeds while he is a believer, his efforts will not be rejected. Verily We record it for him (in his Book of deeds).” (Qur’an, Surah Al-Anbiya’, 21:94)
Verily, Allah will not suffer the reward of the righteous to perish. This we should believe for the Almighty truly keeps His promise:
“Except to those who believe and work righteous deeds: for them is a Reward that will never fail.” (Qur’an, Surah Al-Inshiqaq, 84:25)
“And establish regular prayers at the two ends of the day and at the approaches of the night: for those things that are good remove those that are evil: be that the word of remembrance to those who remember (their Rabb (Cherisher and Sustainer)): And be steadfast in patience; for verily Allah will not suffer the reward of the righteous to perish.” (Qur’an, Surah Hud, 11:114-115)
“But those who believe and do deeds of righteousness - We shall soon admit them to Gardens, with rivers flowing beneath, - to dwell therein forever. Allah’s promise is the truth, and whose word can be truer than Allah’s?” (Qur’an, Surah An-Nisa', 4:122)
“To Him will be your return of all of you. The promise of Allah is true and sure. It is He Who begins the process of Creation and repeats it that He may reward with justice those who believe and work righteousness but those who reject Him will have nothing but draughts of boiling fluids and a Penalty grievous: because they did reject Him.” (Qur’an, Surah Yunus, 10:4)
“For those who believe and work righteous deeds there will be Gardens of Bliss to dwell therein. The promise of Allah is true: and He is Exalted in power, Wise.” (Qur’an, Surah Luqman, 31:8-9)
(Continued)