 | Dr. Nabil Seyam is director of the Board of Administration of the Islamic Society of Wichita and Co-Founder of the Annoor Islamic School. He was the recipient of the Leader of the Year in 2002 in Wichita and most recently was the recipient of the Community Servant Award by the University United Methodist Church in 2003. Dr. Seyam was selected for the Community Servant Award because of his active role in peace-building and multiculturalism throughout Kansas. He is an adjunct instructor for Pittsburg State University and Wichita State University. He is married and has six children. He can be reached at (316) 630-9222 , by e-mail at nabil@seyam.org, or visit his website at www.seyam.org |
Religion
2006-03-01 10:52:00
Are good works necessary for salvation?
QUESTION: Are good deeds necessary for my salvation?
ANSWER: The people of paradise will enter paradise by the grace and mercy of God. However, to enter paradise there are two conditions that must be met. First is to believe in God and second is to support that belief with actions. To state that you are a believer through uttering the word but the heart says otherwise, is a sign of disbelieves. The same for actions and deeds, to say that you are guaranteed heaven just because you sated the word of belief but the actions and the characters of oneself does not support that is called disbeliever.In several verses, the Holy Quran emphasizes and combines between “faith and good deeds.” You hardly see any verse that states faith without deeds. Other religions who relied on the assumption of faith alone as of a way to salvation have suffered a tremendous setback mainly in terms of worship. Many followers who relied on their faith alone have gone astray step by step. If we view the life of all of the prophets and messengers of God, we notice that they spent all of their lives for the sake of God; with full of faith, devotion, and perseverance. They invited their people to follow the commands of God, do good deeds and believe in Him. I have visited many churches throughout the State and noticed major difference among Christians on the issue of “faith alone will lead to salvation vs. faith and good deeds.” Islam is clear on this issue; any one submits to God will eventually enter paradise; however good deeds will elevate you and determine your place in paradise. As we all believe there are seven heavens. Some people will be in the lower part and others will be in the upper part. Prophets, messengers, righteous people, etc. will be in the upper part of paradise. Other people will be in the other levels according to their deeds. For that reason, Muslims are encouraged to do good deed and forbid evil. Muslims are encouraged to compete with others in doing good deeds. Those who are doing good deeds, compete in doing it and the first in doing it will be the near to God in paradise. One of the attributes of God is The Just. The question, is it fair that two individuals believe in the same way; however one spends for the sake of God, treats others good, obedient, good worshipper, etc. and the other does none of the above except he is a believer; is it fair that both of them would be in the same place? Definitely no; therefore, salvation is in the hands of God alone; yet your deeds are your investment and the only thing that you will carry leaving this world.
