Allah does not wrong a believer in a good deed; he will be given on account of it in this world and will be rewarded for it in the Hereafter
Authenticعَنْ أَنَسِ بْنِ مَالِكٍ رضي الله عنه قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ: «إِنَّ اللهَ لَا يَظْلِمُ مُؤْمِنًا حَسَنَةً، يُعْطَى بِهَا فِي الدُّنْيَا وَيُجْزَى بِهَا فِي الْآخِرَةِ، وَأَمَّا الْكَافِرُ فَيُطْعَمُ بِحَسَنَاتِ مَا عَمِلَ بِهَا لِلَّهِ فِي الدُّنْيَا، حَتَّى إِذَا أَفْضَى إِلَى الْآخِرَةِ، لَمْ تَكُنْ لَهُ حَسَنَةٌ يُجْزَى بِهَا».
Anas ibn Mālik (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Allah does not wrong a believer in a good deed; he will be given on account of it in this world and will be rewarded for it in the Hereafter. As for the disbeliever, he will be given the reward for the good deeds he has not performed for the sake of Allah in this world, and when he comes to the Hereafter, there will be no good deed for which he can be rewarded."
Explanation
The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) demonstrates the great favor of Allah towards the believers and His justice towards the disbelievers. As for the believer, He does not diminish the reward of any good deed he performs. Rather, He gives him a reward for it in this world in return for his obedience, in addition to the reward He keeps in store for him in the Hereafter. He may also keep the whole reward for him in the Hereafter. As for the disbeliever, Allah gives him the reward for his virtuous deeds in the form of good things in this life. But when he goes to the Hereafter, he will have no reward. This is because the good deed that brings benefit in this world and in the Hereafter must be performed by a believer.
Benefits
- If a person dies as a disbeliever, his good deeds will not avail him.
Source · Narrated by Muslim
From the Hadith Encyclopedia (hadeethenc.com).