52/17. Chapter:
Sahih Muslim 2816e — Mercy Over Deeds
No One Will Enter Paradise By Virtue Of His Deeds, Rather By The Mercy Of Allah, Exalted Is He
Mercy Over Deeds Hadith Explained Simply
Sahih Muslim : 2816e
Sahih MuslimHadith Number 2816e
حَدَّثَنِي زُهَيْرُ بْنُ حَرْبٍ، حَدَّثَنَا جَرِيرٌ، عَنْ سُهَيْلٍ، عَنْ أَبِيهِ، عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ، قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم " لَيْسَ أَحَدٌ يُنْجِيهِ عَمَلُهُ " . قَالُوا وَلاَ أَنْتَ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ قَالَ " وَلاَ أَنَا إِلاَّ أَنْ يَتَدَارَكَنِيَ اللَّهُ مِنْهُ بِرَحْمَةٍ " .
Abu Hurairah Narrated from:
Abu Huraira reported Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) as saying: There is none whose deeds alone can secure salvation for him. They said: Allah's Messenger, not even you? Thereupon he said: Not even I, but that, the Mercy of Allah should take hold of me.
Reference : Sahih Muslim 2816eIn-book reference : Book 52, Hadith 68USC-MSA web (English) reference : Book 39, Hadith 6763
Summary of Sahih Muslim Hadith 2816e
This narration states that no one’s deeds alone can secure salvation for him. When the Companions asked if this also applied to the Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وسلم, he said not even he, unless the mercy of Allah takes hold of him. The meaning is direct and should not be stretched. It teaches that deeds are not a tool for boasting. They are acts of obedience, but salvation is still from Allah’s mercy. For people searching for hadith about mercy over deeds, this report is a clear reminder to work without pride. It calls the heart to hope, humility, and a deep need for Allah’s mercy.
What we learn from this hadith
- A person’s deeds alone do not secure salvation.
- The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم linked salvation to Allah’s mercy.
- The hadith warns against pride in worship.
- The believer should keep doing good while depending on Allah.
