52/17. Chapter:
Sahih Muslim 2818a — Small Consistent Deeds
No One Will Enter Paradise By Virtue Of His Deeds, Rather By The Mercy Of Allah, Exalted Is He
Small Consistent Deeds Hadith and Allah’s Mercy
Sahih Muslim : 2818a
Sahih MuslimHadith Number 2818a
وَحَدَّثَنَا إِسْحَاقُ بْنُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ، أَخْبَرَنَا عَبْدُ الْعَزِيزِ بْنُ مُحَمَّدٍ، أَخْبَرَنَا مُوسَى بْنُ، عُقْبَةَ ح وَحَدَّثَنِي مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ حَاتِمٍ، - وَاللَّفْظُ لَهُ - حَدَّثَنَا بَهْزٌ، حَدَّثَنَا وُهَيْبٌ، حَدَّثَنَا مُوسَى، بْنُ عُقْبَةَ قَالَ سَمِعْتُ أَبَا سَلَمَةَ بْنَ عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ بْنِ عَوْفٍ، يُحَدِّثُ عَنْ عَائِشَةَ، زَوْجِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم أَنَّهَا كَانَتْ تَقُولُ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم " سَدِّدُوا وَقَارِبُوا وَأَبْشِرُوا فَإِنَّهُ لَنْ يُدْخِلَ الْجَنَّةَ أَحَدًا عَمَلُهُ " . قَالُوا وَلاَ أَنْتَ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ قَالَ " وَلاَ أَنَا إِلاَّ أَنْ يَتَغَمَّدَنِيَ اللَّهُ مِنْهُ بِرَحْمَةٍ وَاعْلَمُوا أَنَّ أَحَبَّ الْعَمَلِ إِلَى اللَّهِ أَدْوَمُهُ وَإِنْ قَلَّ " .
A'isha Narrated from:
Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) used to say: Observe moderation (in doing deeds), and if you fail to observe it perfectly, try to do as much as you can do (to live up to this ideal of moderation) and be happy for none would be able to get into Paradise because of his deeds alone. They (the Companions of the Holy Prophet) said: Allah's Messenger, not even you? Thereupon he said: Not even I, but that Allah wraps me in His Mercy, and bear this in mind that the deed loved most by Allah is one which is done constantly even though it is small.
Reference : Sahih Muslim 2818aIn-book reference : Book 52, Hadith 75USC-MSA web (English) reference : Book 39, Hadith 6770
Summary of Sahih Muslim Hadith 2818a
This hadith brings together moderation, mercy, and consistency. The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said to observe moderation, and if one cannot do it perfectly, to do as much as possible. He also gave glad tidings and said that no one would enter Paradise because of deeds alone. When asked whether this included him, he said yes, except that Allah wraps him in mercy. Then he taught that the deed most loved by Allah is the one done constantly, even if it is small. This is a gentle and practical message. A believer should not burn out, boast, or despair. The hadith points to steady worship, humble hope, and small deeds kept alive.
What we learn from this hadith
- A believer should aim for moderation in worship and deeds.
- No one enters Paradise by deeds alone; Allah’s mercy is needed.
- Small deeds done regularly are loved by Allah.
- The hadith encourages steady effort without despair or pride.
