TO HAVE YOUR DEEDS ACCEPTED!

 FAJR REMINDER: TO HAVE YOUR DEEDS ACCEPTED!

By: Umm Affān

Sha'bān 15, 1447 (3-February-2026)

Dear brethren, remember that any action performed in our Deen (i.e., Islām) must meet two essential conditions for it to be regarded as good and deserving of reward. The first condition is Ikhlāṣ (sincerity). An act of worship must be done solely for Allāh, aiming to seek His Pleasure alone. Abū Umāmah reported that a man approached the Prophet (ﷺ) and asked, “If a man fights for the sake of reward and fame, what do you think he has?” The Prophet replied, “He has nothing.” The man repeated his question three times, and each time the Prophet confirmed, “He has nothing.” Finally, the Prophet stated, “Indeed, Allāh does not accept any good deeds unless they are performed sincerely and in pursuit of His Countenance.” [Sunan An-Nasā’ī 3140]

We must eliminate Riyā (showing off), which the Prophet (ﷺ) referred to as minor Shirk. This practice can ruin one’s deeds! If your primary concern is obtaining praise from people, that’s all you will achieve, with no reward from Allāh. Therefore, let’s engage in numerous good deeds that remain unseen by others—such as reciting the Qur'ān in solitude, quietly assisting the poor and needy, or discreetly reciting your Adhkār.

Additionally, we must ensure that our actions align with the teachings of our beloved Prophet Muḥammad (ﷺ). This constitutes the second condition: Al-Mutaba’a. Do you want to understand its significance? Abū Hurayrah (Raḍiyallāhu ‘Anhu) reported that the Messenger of Allāh (ﷺ) said: “All my followers will enter Jannah except those who refuse.” The companions present asked, “Who will refuse, O Allāh’s Messenger?” He replied, “Whoever obeys me will enter Paradise, and whoever disobeys me has refused.” [Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī 7280]

Consequently, practices like Mawlidun-Nabī, Nisfus-Sha’bān, Laylatul-Arafah, and Laylatul-Qadr celebration will not be accepted, even if the intent behind them is to worship Allāh. Engaging in such acts won't yield any benefit and instead lead to sin, particularly when deeds are performed with Ikhlāṣ but not in accordance with the Sunnah. Can such actions truly be regarded as acts of worship? Is there any reward associated with them? Absolutely, no!

I beseech Allāh to grant us the ability to worship Him sincerely while adhering to the Sunnah of His beloved Messenger (ﷺ). Aameen.