81/18. Chapter:
Sahih Bukhari 6463 — Deeds, Mercy, and Moderation
The adoption of a middle course, and the regularity of deeds
Hadith About Allah’s Mercy, Good Deeds, and Moderation
Sahih Bukhari : 6463
Sahih BukhariHadith Number 6463
حَدَّثَنَا آدَمُ، حَدَّثَنَا ابْنُ أَبِي ذِئْبٍ، عَنْ سَعِيدٍ الْمَقْبُرِيِّ، عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ ـ رضى الله عنه ـ قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم " لَنْ يُنَجِّيَ أَحَدًا مِنْكُمْ عَمَلُهُ ". قَالُوا وَلاَ أَنْتَ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ قَالَ " وَلاَ أَنَا، إِلاَّ أَنْ يَتَغَمَّدَنِي اللَّهُ بِرَحْمَةٍ، سَدِّدُوا وَقَارِبُوا، وَاغْدُوا وَرُوحُوا، وَشَىْءٌ مِنَ الدُّلْجَةِ. وَالْقَصْدَ الْقَصْدَ تَبْلُغُوا ".
Abu Hurairah Narrated from:
Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said, "The deeds of anyone of you will not save you (from the (Hell) Fire)." They said, "Even you (will not be saved by your deeds), O Allah's Messenger (ﷺ)?" He said, "No, even I (will not be saved) unless and until Allah bestows His Mercy on me. Therefore, do good deeds properly, sincerely and moderately, and worship Allah in the forenoon and in the afternoon and during a part of the night, and always adopt a middle, moderate, regular course whereby you will reach your target (Paradise).
[1] The Prophet ﷺ compares the Muslim to a traveller who should not exert=Reference : Sahih al-Bukhari 6463In-book reference : Book 81, Hadith 52USC-MSA web (English) reference : Vol. 8, Book 76, Hadith 470
Summary of Sahih Bukhari Hadith 6463
This Hadith about Allah’s mercy and good deeds teaches balance. The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said that no one’s deeds will save him by themselves. When the companions asked if that applied even to him, he said yes, unless Allah covered him with His Mercy. Then he guided them to do good deeds properly, sincerely, and moderately. He mentioned worship in the forenoon, afternoon, and part of the night, and advised a middle, regular course to reach the target. This narration is often searched as deeds will not enter Paradise hadith. Its message is not to leave good deeds. Rather, the text joins effort with humility: act well, stay moderate, and rely on Allah’s mercy.
What we learn from this hadith
- Good deeds are required, but a person still depends on Allah’s Mercy.
- The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم taught proper, sincere, and moderate action.
- Worship should follow a balanced and regular path.
- A believer should avoid relying proudly on deeds alone.
