The basis of Salvation is Allah’s mercy, not Actions

As believers, we are accountable and answerable for adhering to the mubaarak Sunnah of Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam). Adhering to the Sunnah means carrying out every action that Nabi (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) has commanded us and abstaining from all those actions that Nabi (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) has prohibited us. The success of a believer lies in this.

We should not be consumed with pride over any pious deed that we carry out, as salvation is based on the mercy of Allah Ta’ala and not on any of our doings.

Hadhrat Aaisha (Radhiyallahu Anha) reports that on one ocaasion she enquired from Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam): “Is it true that no person will be entered into Jannah except through the mercy of Allah Ta’ala?” Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) responded saying: “Yes, no one will be entered into Jannah except through the mercy of Allah Ta’ala.” Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) emphatically repeated this statement thrice. Thereafter, Hadhrat Aaisha (Radhiyallahu Anha) explains that I further asked, “O Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam), does this also apply to you?" (i.e. Are you also in need of the mercy of Allah Ta’ala for your salvation and entry into Paradise? Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) placed his hand on his Mubarak head and said:

ولا أنا إلا أن يتغمدني الله برحمته

“Yes, I also will never gain entry into Jannah, except if Allah Ta’ala enshrouds me with His mercy.” Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) repeated this thrice as well.

In essence, the basis of our salvation and being pardoned in the court of Allah Ta’ala is Allah Ta’ala’s mercy. However since this world is ‘Darul Asbaab’ (i.e. adopting the external means has been made the cause for achieving the necessary results), Allah Ta’ala had made actions the apparent cause for acquiring salvation and success. Hereunder are a few incidents relating to the mercy of Allah Ta’ala and His compassion towards the creation.