52/17. Chapter:
Sahih Muslim 2816a — Deeds and Allah’s Mercy
No One Will Enter Paradise By Virtue Of His Deeds, Rather By The Mercy Of Allah, Exalted Is He
Deeds and Allah’s Mercy Hadith Explained
Sahih Muslim : 2816a
Sahih MuslimHadith Number 2816a
حَدَّثَنَا قُتَيْبَةُ بْنُ سَعِيدٍ، حَدَّثَنَا لَيْثٌ، عَنْ بُكَيْرٍ، عَنْ بُسْرِ بْنِ سَعِيدٍ، عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ، عَنْ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم أَنَّهُ قَالَ " لَنْ يُنْجِيَ أَحَدًا مِنْكُمْ عَمَلُهُ " . قَالَ رَجُلٌ وَلاَ إِيَّاكَ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ قَالَ " وَلاَ إِيَّاىَ إِلاَّ أَنْ يَتَغَمَّدَنِيَ اللَّهُ مِنْهُ بِرَحْمَةٍ وَلَكِنْ سَدِّدُوا " . وَحَدَّثَنِيهِ يُونُسُ بْنُ عَبْدِ الأَعْلَى الصَّدَفِيُّ، أَخْبَرَنَا عَبْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ وَهْبٍ، أَخْبَرَنِي عَمْرُو، بْنُ الْحَارِثِ عَنْ بُكَيْرِ بْنِ الأَشَجِّ، بِهَذَا الإِسْنَادِ غَيْرَ أَنَّهُ قَالَ " بِرَحْمَةٍ مِنْهُ وَفَضْلٍ " . وَلَمْ يَذْكُرْ " وَلَكِنْ سَدِّدُوا " .
Abu Huraira reported Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) as saying: None amongst you would attain salvation purely because of his deeds. A person said: Allah's Messenger, even you? Thereupon he said: Yes, not even I except that Allah wraps me in Mercy, but you should act with moderation. This hadith has been transmitted on the authority of Bukair b. al-Ashajj with a slight variation of wording.
Reference : Sahih Muslim 2816a, bIn-book reference : Book 52, Hadith 65USC-MSA web (English) reference : Book 39, Hadith 6760
Summary of Sahih Muslim Hadith 2816a
This hadith about deeds and Allah’s mercy teaches balance. The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said that no one would attain salvation purely because of his deeds. When asked whether this applied even to him, he said yes, except that Allah would wrap him in mercy. He then advised moderation. The message is not that deeds do not matter. The text itself tells people to act with moderation, so action remains important. But the heart should not become proud, as if Paradise or salvation is bought by personal effort alone. This hadith guides a believer to work, stay humble, and place hope in Allah’s mercy and grace.
What we learn from this hadith
- No one attains salvation purely because of deeds alone.
- Even the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم mentioned Allah’s mercy in this matter.
- A believer should act with moderation and avoid pride.
- Good deeds matter, but they should be joined with hope in Allah’s mercy.
