Relationship Between Beliefs and Actions for Success in the Hereafter... While reading the Qur'an a question has arisen several times in my mind regarding conflicting criteria (to my novice mind) for success in the hereafter. At several places it is mentioned in the Qur'an that those who indulge in 'shirk' will not be forgiven and all other sins may be forgiven. But at other places it is mentioned that our success or failure in the hereafter depends on our deeds . Hence in one place the emphasis is on having correct concepts about God. In other words importance is placed on right knowledge of God or stress is on theory . While at other places actions or practice are deemed important. The traditional explanation is that ' shirk ' or not having the correct ' Imaan ' (concept of God) makes us liable to be sent to hell. On the basis of this our traditional `Ulema infer that good deeds done by non-Muslims will be rewarded in worldly life only. And that Muslims will undergo punishment for their misdeeds in the hereafter but will eventually land in heaven because of their having the correct ' Imaan '. When I look at the people around me I see several people with wrong concepts about God/hereafter/Prophethood but who in their actions/dealings are irreproachable. This observation comes true (several times) the other way round also when people with clear concepts indulge in misdeeds. One explanation of the above behavior to me is that the link b/w man's concepts and actions is not very strong and actions are governed by a person's nature and predisposition. If this is true then religion should not put so much emphasis on having correct concepts. But maybe I haven't understood the correct meaning of the word ' Imaan ' as used in the Qur'an. Maybe what God means by it is not just having theoretical knowledge ( Ilm-ul-Yaqeen ) but having ' Ain-ul-Yaqeen ' and ' Haq-ul-Yaqeen '. i.e Imaan is not just mere concepts but a strong conviction which then propels action. But conviction in good and bad can be had by a follower of any religion or faith. And if we accept this then a person can be successful in the hereafter irrespective of the religion that he grew up into and was given to him by his parents. Would you elaborate on it. Regards Asim Vardag Reply Let us first of organize the information that we get from the Qur'an regarding success in the life hereafter. The Qur'an tells us that: Shirk (i.e. associating partners to God) has no logical or natural grounds. It is an absolute lie, which infringes upon the rights of the one God. Due to this reason, the Qur'an emphatically declares that God will, in no case, forgive shirk . This really implies that associating partners to the one God (and dying in that state, without repentance and correction) is an eternal disqualification from the life in Paradise (please note that this does not mean that a life clear of Shirk is guaranteed Paradise). Besides Shirk , a person, unless forgiven by God, may be eternally doomed into hellfire for killing an innocent soul, for committing fornication and for other such crimes the punishment of which has been mentioned in the Qur'an to be eternal doom (for example rejecting a prophet of God, after being fully convinced of his prophethood or to be completely drowned in and encompassed by sins - Al-Baqarah 2: 81). The above two, according to the Qur'an are eternal disqualifications from the everlasting bliss of Paradise. However, it should be kept in mind that the Qur'an clearly tells us that the absence of these two disqualifications is not by itself, a qualification for paradise. On the contrary, the Qur'an has positively mentioned the qualifications required for success in the hereafter. These qualifications are: The absence of the disqualifications mentioned in point 1 and 2 above. Imaan on the necessary articles of faith. Imaan implies true and real belief. According to the Qur'an, the articles of faith necessary for qualification to paradise are (according to Al-Baqarah 2: 62): Belief in one God. This belief entails holding that God possesses all such qualities that we know to be good and deserving of him and also all such qualities that we have been told through His prophets and messengers that He possesses. Moreover, this belief also entails holding that God is absolutely clear of all such qualities that we know to be bad and not deserving of Him to possess and also all such qualities that we have been told through His prophets and messengers that He is clear of them. Belief in the Day of Judgment. This belief means to hold that there will be a day when we shall be made to face God and made to answer for all the bad (whether in beliefs or actions) that we did and in case we do not have a plausible and acceptable excuse of doing such bad, shall be punished for doing so; when we shall be rewarded for all the good that we did or intended to do. Belief in the Day of Judgment is a corollary of the correct belief in God; as such a day of judgment is an obvious result of the divine attributes of mercy, providence, wisdom, omnipotence, omniscience and justice. Amal e Saalih (i.e. good deeds). True belief in the two concepts explained above, requires us to behave accordingly. If these beliefs do not affect the behavior of a person, then they are either hypocrisy or ignorance [1] . Thus, we see that the Qur'an, at most of the places, has combined the two things - i.e. imaan (belief) and amal e saalih (good deeds) - as if they are inseparable. It seems that according to the Qur'an, there is no such thing as 'true belief', without 'good deeds'. You should be able to find answers to most of the points that you have raised in your letter. However, some of the points need some further clarification. For instance, you state: ... On the basis of this our traditional `Ulema infer that good deeds done by non-Muslims will be rewarded in worldly life only. And that Muslims will undergo punishment for their misdeeds in the hereafter but will eventually land in heaven because of their having the correct ' Imaan '. In my opinion, the concept more coherent with the information given in the Qur'an would be: All those who are do not ascribe partners/associates to God ( mushrik /polytheist) and do good deeds as a requirement of their belief in one God are promised a position in the everlasting bliss of paradise. All those who ascribe partners/associates to God ( mushrik /polytheist) shall have no chance of forgiveness irrespective of their deeds (they may or may not be rewarded in this life). All those who, although, do not ascribe partners to God (mushrik/polytheist) - whether Muslims or ascribing to any other non-polytheistic faith - yet have lived a sinful life, shall face the punishment of their sins, except if forgiven by the Merciful. This explanation should answer all the points that you have raised. However, in case any question remains in your mind, please feel free in writing back to me. May the Almighty guide us all to the path of His liking. My fondest regards to you and those around you. The Learner [1] That is either the person is lying about his beliefs or is not aware of what true belief is.