The best of deeds are rewarded in Paradise

Muslims believe that, on the Day of Judgment, everyone will be brought before God to answer for their good deeds and their sins.

Those who did good in their life will be compensated for their deeds, the Quran says. On Friday, worshippers will be told that all good acts endure and will be rewarded in the afterlife.

“Wealth and children are [but] adornment of the worldly life. But the enduring good deeds are better to your Lord for reward and better for [one’s] hope.” (AlKahf: 46)

Ibn Abbas, Prophet Mohammed’s cousin, interpreted the mention of “the enduring good deeds” in the Quran to include: dhikr (remembrance of God), prayer, fasting, Hajj, charity and maintaining good relationships with people. “They are everlasting for their doers in Paradise,” he said.

The sermon will say that good deeds bring their doers great rewards and the rewards for the best of those deeds are preserved until the Day of Judgment.

The Prophet listed enduring good deeds as saying Takbir (Allah is the greatest), Tahlil (there is no deity save Allah), Tasbih (Exalted is Allah), Tahmid (All praise is due to Allah), and “there is no might nor power except with Allah”.

He said whoever says “all praise is due to Allah, the Lord of the Worlds” sincerely will have 30 good deeds written in their records or have 30 misdeeds forgiven.

Whoever recites these statements frequently will be protected from Hell and, by God’s grace, be admitted to Heaven, the sermon will say.

Those who perform enduring good deeds will also have an everlasting tree planted for them by God in the Garden of Eden.

These trees are described as evergreen and ever-blossoming to provide their owners endless fruits where they may also shade themselves in Paradise.

As we approach the first 10 days of Dhu Al Hijjah, a holy period because it includes Hajj, Muslims are encouraged to remember God often and show religious diligence by carrying out acts of worship.

The Prophet said: “No other days are greater (in status) in the sight of Allah, nor righteous work is dearer to Him in any other days than in these (first) 10 days (of Dhu Al Hijjah). So, say plenty of Tahlil, Takbir and Tahmid during them.”