Is there reward for good deeds in this world apart from reward in the Hereafter?
In the Name of Allāh, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
Allāh has promised the believer who does righteous deeds reward in this world, as well as the greater reward which awaits him in the Hereafter.
Allāh says:
“Whoever works righteousness — whether male or female — while he (or she) is a true believer (of Islamic Monotheism) verily, to him We will give a good life (in this world with respect, contentment and lawful provision), and We shall pay them certainly a reward in proportion to the best of what they used to do (i.e. Paradise in the Hereafter”
[al-Nahl 16:97]
Ibn al-Qayyim said: Allāh guarantees to those who believe and do righteous deeds reward in this world with a good life, and Paradise on the Day of Resurrection.
The rewards in this life for some good deeds have been mentioned in the Qur’an and Sunnah. These include the following:
1 – Spending for the sake of Allāh
Allāh says:
“and whatsoever you spend of anything (in Allāh’s Cause), He will replace it. And He is the Best of providers)".
[Saba’ 34:39]
It was narrated that Abu Hurayrah said: The Messenger of Allāh (peace and blessings of Allāh be upon him) said: “Allāh says: ‘O son of Adam, spend and I will spend on you.’”
(Narrated by al-Bukhari, 4407; Muslim, 993).
Spending for the sake of Allāh is one of the means of increasing one’s provision.
2 – Being easy-going with a debtor who is facing hardship, concealing a Muslim’s faults and helping him.
It was narrated that Abu Hurayrah said: The Messenger of Allāh (peace and blessings of Allāh be upon him) said: “Whoever relieves a Muslim of some distress in this world, Allāh will relieve him of some distress on the Day of Resurrection. Whoever is easy-going with a debtor who is facing hardship, Allāh will make it easy for him in this world and in the Hereafter. And whoever conceals a Muslim’s faults, Allāh will conceal his faults in this world and the Hereafter. And Allāh will help His slave so long as His slave helps his brother.”
Narrated by Muslim, 2699.
3 – Being humble for the sake of Allāh.
It was narrated from Abu Hurayrah that the Messenger of Allāh (peace and blessings of Allāh be upon him) said: “Wealth never decreases because of charity. No person shows forbearance but Allāh will honour him and no one is humble for the sake of Allāh but Allāh will raise him in status.”
Narrated by Muslim, 2588.
Al-Mubaarakfoori said:
“raise him in status” means in this world and in the Hereafter.
Tuhfat al-Ahwadhi, 6/150.
4 – Upholding the ties of kinship
It was narrated that Anas ibn Maalik (may Allāh be pleased with him) said: I heard the Messenger of Allāh (peace and blessings of Allāh be upon him) say: “Whoever would like to have his provision increased or his lifespan extended, let him uphold the ties of kinship.”
Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 1961; Muslim, 2557.
May Allāh help us to do more good deeds that will benefit us in this world and the hereafter. Aameen.
