Good Deeds


''(And) lo! those who believe and do good works are the best of created beings.''
(Holy Qur'an 98:7)

"And be steadfast in prayer and regular in charity: And whatever good you send forth for your souls before you, you shall find it with Allah. for Allah sees well all that you do." (Holy Qur'an 2:110)



The Importance of Good Deeds


Having a good character and performing good deeds is so important in Islam. Here is a hadith Qudsi (hadith Qudsi are from Allah, revealed in a dream or through revelation and expressed in Prophet Muhammad's own words):

“Allah will say on the Day of Judgment, ‘O son of Adam, I was sick and you did not visit Me.’ He will say, ‘O my Lord, how could I visit You, when you are the Lord of the Worlds.’ Allah will say, ‘Did you not know that My servant so-and-so was sick and you did not visit him? Did you not know that if you had visited him, you would have found Me there?’

Allah will say, ‘O son of Adam, I asked you for food and you fed Me not.’ He shall say, ‘O my Lord, how could I feed you and you are the Lord of the Worlds?’ and Allah will say, ‘Did you not know that My servant so-and-so was in need of food and you did not feed him? Did you not know that if you had fed him, you would have found that to have been for Me?'

‘O son of Adam, I asked you for water and you did not give Me to drink.’ The man shall say, ‘O my Lord, how could I give You water, when You are the Lord of the Worlds?’ Allah will say, ‘My servant so-and-so asked you for water and you did not give him to drink water. Did you not know that if you had given him to drink, you would have found that to have been for Me?' (Muslim)

So we must remember the importance of helping those in need for the sake of Allah. We must bear in mind that all our deeds are going to come before us on Judgement Day. We will see all of the deeds we have ever done, which are being recorded and will be shown to us in a book. This is described in the Holy Qur'an: “This Our Record speaks about you with truth. Verily, We were recording what you used to do (i.e. Our angels used to record your deeds)” (Qur'an 45:29) “Read your book. You yourself are sufficient as a reckoner against you this Day” (Qur'an 17:14) Our deeds are going to be weighed, good against bad. “And We shall set up Balances of justice on the Day of Resurrection, then none will be dealt with unjustly in anything. And if there be the weight of a mustard seed, We will bring it. And Sufficient are We to take account” (Qur'an 21:47)


No Matter How Small....

Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) taught us to carry out good deeds, no matter how small they are. In Islam, even a smile to a neighbour or removing a harmful object from the road, is classed as an act of charity. Abu Huraira (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said: "A man passed by a fallen branch in the middle of the road and said, 'By Allah, I will remove this from the path of the Muslims so that it does not inconvenience them' and he was admitted into the Garden (Paradise)." (recorded in Muslim)

The Prophet's wife Aishah (may Allah be pleased with her) reported that the Messenger of Allah said: “O people, you should do whatever good deeds you can, for Allah does not get tired (of giving reward) until you get tired. And the most beloved of good deeds to Allah is that in which a person persists, even if it is little. If the family of Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) started to do something, they would persist in it.” (Bukhari, Muslim)

Narrated Abu Dharr: The Prophet said, “Do not disdain any good deed, even your meeting with your brother with a cheerful face.” (Muslim)

Good Treatment Of Others

The following are just a few quotes from the Holy Qur'an enjoining good treatment and kindness to others:

''Remember when We made a covenant with the tribe of Israel: "Worship none but Allah, and be good to your parents, relatives, orphans, and the very poor. Speak good words to people. Establish prayer and pay alms." But then you turned away - except a few of you - you turned aside.'' (Qur'an 2:83)

''Thy Lord hath decreed that ye worship none but Him, and that ye be kind to parents. Whether one or both of them attain old age in thy life, say not to them a word of contempt, nor repel them, but address them in terms of honour. And, out of kindness, lower to them the wing of humility, and say: My Lord! Bestow on them thy Mercy even as they cherished me in childhood.'' (Qur'an 17:23)

 ''And We have enjoined on man (to be good) to his parents: in travail upon travail did his mother bear him, and in years twain was his weaning: (hear the command), "Show gratitude to Me and to thy parents: to Me is (thy final) Goal. '' (Qur'an 31:14)

The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) continuously insisted on people treating others correctly. The following hadith (sayings of the Prophet) are a few of his sayings regarding our behaviour towards others:

"By Allah, he does not believe! By Allah, he does not believe! By Allah, he does not believe!" It was said, "Who is that, O Allah's Apostle?" He said, "That person whose neighbour does not feel safe from his evil." (Bukhari)

"None of you [truly] believes until he wishes for his brother what he wishes for himself." (Bukhari, Muslim)

“A Muslim is a brother of Muslim, he neither wrongs him nor does hand him over to one who does him wrong. If anyone fulfils his brother’s needs, Allah will fulfil his needs; if one relieves a Muslim of his troubles, Allah will relieve his troubles on the Day of Resurrection.” (Al-Bukhari and Muslim)

“The best of people are those that bring most benefit to the rest of mankind.” (Daraqutni, Hasan)

“The most beloved of people according to Allah is he who brings most benefit, and the most beloved of deeds according to Allah the Mighty, the Magnificent, is that you bring happiness to a fellow Muslim, or relieve him of distress, or pay off his debt or stave away hunger from him. It is more beloved to me that I walk with my brother Muslim in his time of need, than I stay secluded in the mosque for a month. Whoever holds back his anger, Allah will cover his faults, and whoever suppresses his fury while being able to execute it, Allah will fill his heart with satisfaction on the Day of Standing. Whoever walks with his brother Muslim in need until he establishes that for him, Allah will establish his feet firmly on the day when all feet shall slip. Indeed, bad character ruins deeds just as vinegar ruins honey.” (Tabarani, Hasan)

"Beware of suspicion, for suspicion is the worst of false tales; and do not look for the others' faults and do not spy, and do not be jealous of one another, and do not desert (cut your relation with) one another, and do not hate one another; and O Allah's worshipers! Be brothers (as Allah has ordered you!") (Bukhari)

"Anybody who believes in Allah and the Last Day should not harm his neighbour, and anybody who believes in Allah and the Last Day should entertain his guest generously and anybody who believes in Allah and the Last Day should talk what is good or keep quiet. (i.e. abstain from all kinds of evil and dirty talk).'' (Bukhari)

“The best of you are those who are best to their families, and I am the best of you to my family.” (Tirmidhi, Sahih)


Giving To Those In Need

Alongside the yearly zakat (obligatory charity giving for those who have a certain amount of savings and assets), giving to needy people is of great importance in Islam. Allah says in the Qur'an: ''[Prophet] Have you considered the person who denies the Judgement? It is he who pushes aside the orphan and does not urge others to feed the needy...". (Qur'an 107:1-3) 

''Give to the near of kin his due, and also to the needy and the wayfarers. Do not squander your wealth wastefully; for those who squander wastefully are Satan's brothers, and Satan is ever ungrateful to his Lord.'' (Qur'an 17:26-27)

The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: "Every Muslim has to give in charity." The people asked, "O Allah's Prophet! If someone has nothing to give, what will he do?" He said, "He should work with his hands and benefit himself and also give in charity (from what he earns)." The people further asked, "If he cannot find even that?" He replied, "He should help the needy who appeal for help." Then the people asked, "If he cannot do that?" He replied, "Then he should perform good deeds and keep away from evil deeds and this will be regarded as charitable deeds." (Bukhari)

Narrated Abû Sa’id Al-Khudri (r.a.) :Certain people of the Ansâr begged of Allah’s Messenger and he gave them; then they again begged of him and he gave them until all what he possessed was exhausted. Then the Prophet said, “Whatever wealth I have, I will not withhold from you. Whosoever would be chaste and modest; Allah will keep him chaste and modest and whosoever would seek self-sufficiency, Allah will make him self-sufficient; and whosoever would be patient, Allah will give him patience, and no one is granted a gift better and more comprehensive than patience.” (Bukhâri and Muslim)

Having a Good Character

Allah (s.w.t.) says in the Qur'an:

''The slaves of the All Merciful are those who walk with humility on the earth, and who, when the ignorant speak to them, say, 'Peace'.'' (Qur'an 25:63)

''Do not avert your face from people out of pride and do not strut about arrogantly on the earth. Allah does not love anyone who is vain and boastful. Be moderate in your walking and lower your voice. The most hateful of voices is the braying of asses.'' (Qur'an 31:18-19)

'Be kind and humble to the believers that follow you.'' (Qur'an 26:125)

"Nor walk on the earth with insolence: for thou can not rend the earth asunder, nor reach the mountains in height." (Qur'an 17:37)

"And swell not thy cheek (for pride) at men, nor walk in insolence through the earth; for God loveth not any arrogant boaster.'' (Qur'an, 31:18)

Anas b. Malik (r.a.) reported that Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) was the best amongst people in disposition and behaviour. (Muslim)

Abdullah ibn Masud (r.a) related that the Prophet (pbuh) said: ''Whoever has a grain of pride in his heart will not enter Paradise.'' A man stood up and asked ''what about the person who likes to wear good clothes and fine shoes?.'' The Prophet replied; ''Allah is beautiful and loves beauty. Pride means to deny the truth and to look down upon others.'' (Muslim)

Prayer

Performing the prayers is of utmost importance. It is the second pillar of Islam after the testimony of faith (see practices). The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, "The first matter that the slave will be brought to account for on the Day of Judgment, is the prayer. If it is sound, then the rest of his deeds will be sound. And if it is bad, then the rest of his deeds will be bad." (al-Tabarani). He also said ''If a person performs the five daily prayers, after making a thorough wudu (ablution), and prays them at the beginning of their time with complete humility and submission, Allah has promised to forgive him''. (Muslim, Abu Dawud, Ahmad)

It is recorded that Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) has said: “The first thing the people will be accountable for on the Day of Judgment is prayer. Allah will say to His angels (even though He already knows), “Look at my servant’s prayers. Were they complete or not?” If they were complete, it will be written as complete. If they were not fully complete Allah will say, “See if my servant has voluntary prayers.” If he has them, Allah will say, “Complete his obligatory prayers shortage with his voluntary prayers.” Then the rest of his deeds will be dealt with in the same manner,” (Ahmad).

Praying extra, voluntary prayers, other than the 5 daily ones, has much blessing in it. As Aisha (r.a) quoted the Prophet (pbuh) as saying: “The two rak`ah before Dawn (Fajr) Prayer are better than the world and all that which it contains.” (Muslim).

Umm Habibah Ramilah bint Abu Sufyan (r.a) narrated that she heard the Prophet (pbuh) saying: “A house will be built in Paradise for every Muslim who offers twelve units of Prayers other than the obligatory ones in day and night, to seek pleasure of Allah.” (Muslim)

The following sayings of the Prophet peace be upon him, also show the importance of prayers: Rabi'ah ibn Malik al-Aslami reported that the Prophet (pbuh) said: "Ask (anything)." Rabi'ah said: "I ask of you to be your companion in paradise." The Prophet said: "Or anything else?" Rabi'ah said: "That is it." The Prophet said to him: "Then help me by making many prostrations (i.e., supererogatory prayers)." (Muslim)

It was also related from Jabir, the Messenger of God said: “If one of you offers his prayers in the mosque, then he should offer a portion of his prayers at home, as God has made saying prayers in one’s home a means of betterment (for him).” Ahmad records from ‘Umar (r.a.) that the Messenger of God said: “The supererogatory prayers prayed by a person at home are a light. Whoever wishes should light up his house.” (Ahmad, Muslim)

Performing prayers also washes away sins as the Prophet (pbuh) has described to us in a couple of narrations. One is from Abu Huraira (r.a.) who said: I heard Allah's Apostle saying, "If there was a river at the door of anyone of you and he took a bath in it five times a day would you notice any dirt on him?" They said, "Not a trace of dirt would be left." The Prophet added, "That is the example of the five prayers with which Allah blots out (annuls) evil deeds." (Bukhari)

Abu Dharr( r.a.) also narrates that once our Prophet (pbuh) came out of his house. It was autumn and the leaves were falling from the trees. He caught hold of a branch of a tree and its leaves began to drop in large number. At this he remarked, "O Abu Dharr! When a Muslim offers his Salaah (prayer) to please Allah, his sins fall away from him just as these leaves are falling off this tree." (Ahmad)

It is recorded in Tirmidhi, that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: ''Whenever a Muslim prostrates to Allah, He will elevate him one degree and forgive him one bad deed.”


Remembering Allah (s.w.t)

Abdullah ibn Abbas (r.a.) narrates that the Prophet (pbuh) said "Those who will be invited first into the Jannah (Paradise), are those who praise Allah both in prosperity and tough times." (Hakim 502/1)

Anas ibn Malik (r.a.) narrates that the Prophet (pbuh) said "Verily Allah is pleased with His slave who praises Allah whenever he eats something and drinks something and praises Him thereupon." (Muslim)

Imams Bukhari and Muslim reported that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: "He who utters a hundred times in a day these words: 'la ilaha illallahu, wahdahu la sharika lahu, lahul-mulku wa lahul-hamdu, wa huwa'ala kulli shay'in qadir (none has the right to be worshiped but Allah. He is One and He has no partner with Him; His is the sovereignty and His is the praise, and He is omnipotent),' he will have a reward equivalent to that for emancipating ten slaves, a hundred good deeds will be recorded to his credit, hundred of his sins with be blotted out from his scroll…"

And also Imams Bukhari and Muslim reported that the Prophet (pbuh.) said, "And he who utters: 'Subhan-allahi wa bihamdihi' (Glory be to Allah and His is the praise) one hundred times a day, his sins will be obliterated even if they are equal to the extent of the foam of the ocean."

Narrated Abu Huraira: Allah 's Apostle said, "Allah has some angels who look for those who celebrate the Praises of Allah on the roads and paths. And when they find some people celebrating the Praises of Allah, they call each other, saying, "Come to the object of your pursuit.' " He added, "Then the angels encircle them with their wings up to the sky of the world." He added. "(after those people celebrated the Praises of Allah, and the angels go back), their Lord, asks them (those angels)----though He knows better than them----'What do My slaves say?' The angels reply, 'They say: Subhan Allah, Allahu Akbar, and Alham-du-lillah, Allah then says 'Did they see Me?' The angels reply, 'No! By Allah, they didn't see You.' Allah says, How it would have been if they saw Me?' The angels reply, 'If they saw You, they would worship You more devoutly and celebrate Your Glory more deeply, and declare Your freedom from any resemblance to anything more often.' Allah says (to the angels), 'What do they ask Me for?' The angels reply, 'They ask You for Paradise.' Allah says (to the angels), 'Did they see it?' The angels say, 'No! By Allah, O Lord! They did not see it.' Allah says, How it would have been if they saw it?' The angels say, 'If they saw it, they would have greater covetousness for it and would seek It with greater zeal and would have greater desire for it.' Allah says, 'From what do they seek refuge?' The angels reply, 'They seek refuge from the (Hell) Fire.' Allah says, 'Did they see it?' The angels say, 'No By Allah, O Lord! They did not see it.' Allah says, How it would have been if they saw it?' The angels say, 'If they saw it they would flee from it with the extreme fleeing and would have extreme fear from it.' Then Allah says, 'I make you witnesses that I have forgiven them."' Allah's Apostle added, "One of the angels would say, 'There was so-and-so amongst them, and he was not one of them, but he had just come for some need.' Allah would say, 'These are those people whose companions will not be reduced to misery.' " (Bukhari Book #75, Hadith #417)

Reciting Qur'an

Abdullah ibn Amr (r.a.) re­ports that the Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.) said: "On the Day of Judgment, it will be said to the man devoted to the Qur'an, 'Go on reciting the Qur'an and continue ascending the stories of Paradise and recite in the slow manner as you had been reading in worldly life; your final place will be where you reach at the time of the last ayat of your recitation." (Ahmad, Tirmidhi, Abu Dawud).

Helping Your Family

The Prophet Muhammad's (pbuh) wife Aisha (r.a), when asked what he used to do at home, replied: ''He spent his time helping his family until the time of the prayer and then he hurried to pray.'' (Bukhari)

Encouraging others to do good

Allah’s Messenger (pbuh) said, “Whoever guides someone to virtue will be rewarded equivalent to him who practices that good action.” (Muslim)

Converting to Islam

When someone converts to Islam, Allah forgives all of his previous sins and deeds. A man named Amr came to the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and said, “Give me your right hand so that I may give you my pledge of loyalty.” The Prophet stretched out his right hand. Amr withdrew his hand. The Prophet said: ''What has happened to you, O Amr?'' He replied, “I intend to lay down a condition.” The Prophet asked: ''What condition do you intend to put forward?'' Amr said, “That God forgive my sins.” The Prophet (pbuh) said: ''Didn’t you know that converting to Islam erases all previous sins?'' (Muslim, Ahmad)

Planting Trees And Cultivating Land

Anas (r.a.) reported Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) as saying "Never does a Muslim plant trees or cultivate land and birds or a man or a beast eat out of them but that is a charity on his behalf." (Muslim, Book #010, Hadith #3769)

Good Deeds That Continue To Provide Blessings

There are some deeds which we can do that will continue to reward us, after we have passed away. The Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) told us: "When the son of Adam dies, all his good deeds come to an end except three: ongoing charity, knowledge from which others may benefit after he is gone, and a righteous son who will pray for him." (Muslim)

Uthman (r.a.) narrated that the Prophet (pbuh) said: “Whoever builds a mosque, Allah will build for him something like it in Paradise.” (Bukhari, Muslim)


Easy Good Deeds

Narrated 'Abdullah bin 'Amr (r.a.): A man asked the Prophet (peace be upon him), "What sort of deeds or (what qualities of) Islam are good?" The Prophet replied, "To feed (the poor) and greet those whom you know and those whom you do not know." (Bukhari, Book #2, Hadith #11)

Narrated Abu Masud Al-Badri: The Prophet (pbuh) said, "A man's spending on his family is a deed of charity." (Bukhari Book #59, Hadith #343)

The following deeds are from the book 'Easy Good Deeds' by Mufti Taqi Usmani Read online or download here.

1. Good Intention (Having the right intention i.e intending to please Allah) 2. Praying (making Du’a) 3. Prayers according to Sunnah. 4. Seeking Pardon (asking Allah for forgiveness). 5. Dhikr of Allah (Rememberance). 6. Darud. 7. Thanks giving (thanking Allah). 8. Patience (during difficult times). 9. Beginning all important work with "Bismillah". 10. To precede in greeting (being the first to say Asalaamu Alaykum). 11. Visiting the sick. 12. Participation in Burial Service (Namaz-e-Janazah) and Burial. 13. Condolence and consoling. 14. To love for the sake of Allah. 15. Helping a Muslim "One who helps someone in his need, Allah helps him in his work, and one who removes any worry or trouble of any Muslim. Allah, in return, removes any one of his worries on the Day of Judgment". [Abu Dawud]. 16. Justified Recommendation. 17. Concealing others shortcomings. 18. Preaching good - Giving order to do good is a form of Sadaqah (charity) and stopping (someone) from going evil is also a form of Sadaqah (Sahih Muslim). 19. Sadaqah and Charity (giving money or items to needy). 20. Forgiveness (forgiving others). 21. Tenderness / Kindness. 22. Peace Making (Peacemaking between two Muslims who differ among themselves). 23. Helping the Orphans and Widows. 24. Spending on Family. 25: Good Treatment of Parents. 26. Courtesy and Kindness to Parents, Relatives and Friends. - Abdullah ibn Omar relates that our exalted and eternally blessed Prophet has said that: "One good deed among others is to maintain cordial relations with the relatives of one's father" (Sahih Muslim). 27. Good Marital Relationship. 28. Good Treatment of Relatives. 29. Doing Good to the Neighbour. 30. Cordiality and Courtesy.  Abu Hurairah has quoted the following words of our blessed Holy Prophet: "Of all the men of faith, those are best who have best manners towards others". (Tirmidhi). 31. Good behaviour to Co-travellers. 32. Meeting for Allah. 33. Respect to Guests. 34. Removing harmful things from the way. 35 Avoidance of Quarrel. 36. To learn Matters of Faith. 37. Teaching Religion. 38. Respect of Elders. 39. Respect for Islamic way and Customs. 40. Kindness to children. 41. Adhan: Calling to Prayer. 42. Responding to Adhan.  43. Reading the Qur'an. 44. Reading and recital of Surah Fateha and Surah Ikhlas. 45. Careful Ablution (Wudhu). 46. Miswak.  47. Dhikr after Ablution (Wudhu). 48. Tahiyyat-al-Wadhu. 49. Tahiyyat-al-Masjid. 50. Intent of I'tekaf. 51. Praying in First Row. 52. Filling the gap in Prayer row. 53. Ishraq Prayer. 54. Bathing and use of perfume on Friday. 55. Eating Sehri in Fast. 56. To hurry in Iftar. 57. Giving Iftar to a Fasting Man. 58. Looking after the household of a Haji or Mujahid. 59. Praying for Martyrdom. 60. Starting work early in the morning. 61. Dhikr of Allah. during Business. 62. Taking back sold goods. 63. Giving loan to the Needy. 64. Giving grace period to poor debtor. 65. Telling the Truth in Trade. 66. Planting Trees.  67. Good Treatment of Animals. 68. Killing Harmful Animals. 69. Controlling the Tongue. 70. Avoiding useless talk and activities 71 -77 Six Good Deeds - Prophet (pbuh) has pointed out six deeds for which he himself has guaranteed paradise. Ibadah ibn Sanit relates the following Prophetic saying:- "You give me guarantee of six deeds and I shall guarantee you Paradise. (firstly) redeem the trust placed in you; (secondly) carry out your contracts; (thirdly) speak the truth (always); (fourthly) save your (sexual) organs from (unlawful) acts; (fifthly) keep your eyes down; and (sixthly) keep your hands (from harming others and sinning). (Shah-al-Imam li a1 Baihaqi, p.320, 321, vo2. 4, hadith 5256) 78. Beginning from the right. 79. Cleaning and eating a dropped morsel. 80. Praising Allah upon Sneezing and its Response. 81. Fear of Allah   82. Optimism and Hope from Allah.

Good Deeds Wipe Out Bad Ones

By performing good deeds, we may erase some of the minor bad ones we have done. The Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) said: "Fear Allah wherever you are, and follow up a bad deed with a good one and it will wipe it out, and behave well towards people." (Tirmidhi)

 In another narration, Abu Dharr (r.a) asked the Prophet: "Give me advice", the Prophet (pbuh) said: "If you do a bad deed, then follow it with a good one that will wipe it out." Abu Dharr said: "Oh Messenger of Allah, is "La Ilaha Illa Lah (there is no god, but God)" from the good deeds" The Prophet (pbuh) replied: "It is the best deed."

Hurry To Do Good Deeds

The Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) said: “There are two blessings which many people lose: (They are) health and free time for doing good.” (Bukhari)

“Hasten to do good deeds before there come tribulations like pieces of a dark night, when a man will be a believer in the morning and a disbeliever by evening, or he will be a believer in the evening and a disbeliever by morning, selling his religious commitment for worldly gain.” (Muslim)

Actions are Judged By Intention

As Muslims we have to keep our intentions pure. Our good deeds are done for the sake of Allah, they should not be done to gain some worldly benefit from them, such as impressing others. Allah (s.w.t.) says in the Qur'an:

'The hypocrites try to deceive God, but it is He who causes them to be deceived. When they stand up to pray, they do so sluggishly, showing off in front of people, and remember God only a little.'' (Qur'an 4:142)

Umar ibn al-Khattaab (r.a). relates that: 'I heard the Messenger of Allah (pbuh), saying, "verily actions are by intentions, and for every person is what he intended. So the one whose hijrah (emigration) was to Allah and His Messenger, then his hijrah was to Allah and His Messenger. And the one whose hijrah was for the world to gain from it, or a woman to marry her, then his hijrah was to what he made hijrah for." (Bukari. Muslim)

The same applies to actions that we do unintentionally, Allah is the Most Merciful, He says in the Qur'an: ''Allah will not call you to account for thoughtlessness in your oaths, but for the intention in your hearts; and He is Oft-Forgiving Most Forbearing. (2:225)


The Reward for Good Deeds

Allah (s.w.t.) says that He will reward the believers in the hereafter for the good deeds they have done . Allah says in the Qur'an: "[Prophet] give those who believe and do good, the news that they will have Gardens graced with flowing streams.....They will have pure spouses and there they will stay." (Qur'an 2:21) Allah also says in sura Ta Ha, what can be translated as, "But those who return to their Lord as believers with righteous deeds will be rewarded with the highest of ranks, Gardens of lasting bliss graced with flowing streams, and there they will stay. Such is the reward of those who purify themselves.'' (Qur'an 20:76)

However, we don't say that our deeds will 'earn us a place' in Paradise. Nobody can perform enough good deeds to deserve to go there. It is Allah's love and Mercy that will cause people to enter. Allah will reward us in Paradise though for the deeds we have done and Paradise has many levels. The higher levels are even more beautiful than the lower ones, and the more righteous a person has been in this life, the higher Paradise they will be in.


Allah's Apostle said, "Do good deeds properly, sincerely and moderately and know that your deeds will not make you enter Paradise, and that the most beloved deed to Allah is the most regular and constant even though it were little." (Bukhari)