The Acceptance of Good Deeds
In the Name of Allâh, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful
Shaykh Husayn al-Awaaishah
Before a Muslim moves another step forward or performs any act or
deed, he is obliged to acquire knowledge in the path that will lead
him to the best end, that is, having his good deeds accepted by Allah,
Allah willing. It is important to note that what counts is not the
number of good deeds or acts of worship performed, for there may
be a person wh performs many good deeds, yet, all what he gains is
tiredness in this life and hardships in the Last Life. The Messenger
said, what translated means, "There may be a Sa'im (fasting person)
who only gains hunger from his Siyam (fast), and there may be a
Qa'im (who stands up in prayer at night) who only gains Sahar
(staying up late) from his Qiyam!" [Ibn Majah]. Rather, what truly
counts is knowing and implementing the conditions that will ensure
Allah's acceptance of the performed good deeds and various acts of
worship.
There are two essential conditions that must both be present in every
performed good act or deed, so as to ensure their acceptance by
Allah. First, a Muslim must seek Allah alone in the good deeds that
he performs. Second, this good deed must be in total accordance
with what Allah has legislated in His Book and what His Messenger
has commanded in his Sunnah.
Whenever one of those two conditions is absent from any righteous
act or deed, then this good deed or act is neither good nor accepted,
for Allah said, what translated means, "So whoever hopes for the
meeting with his Lord, let him work righteousness and associate none
as a partner in the worship of his Lord." [18:110]
In this Ayah, Allah has decreed that any good act or deed must be
righteous, that is, being in accordance with His Religion, and that He
alone is sought by this good act or deed.
In his Tafsir (explanation) of the Quran, ibn Kathir said, "these are
the two conditions that ensure the acceptance of any righteous act: it
must be performed for the sake of Allah alone and according to the
Sunnah of the Messenger of Allah."
Courtesy Of: Islaam.com