He who does good in Islam will not be punished for what he did during jāhiliyyah, and he who commits evil in Islam will be punished for the previous and later deeds

Arabic text

عَنِ ابْنِ مَسْعُودٍ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ، قَالَ: قَالَ رَجُلٌ: يَا رَسُولَ اللهِ، أَنُؤَاخَذُ بِمَا عَمِلْنَا فِي الْجَاهِلِيَّةِ؟ قَالَ: «مَنْ أَحْسَنَ فِي الْإِسْلَامِ لَمْ يُؤَاخَذْ بِمَا عَمِلَ فِي الْجَاهِلِيَّةِ، وَمَنْ أَسَاءَ فِي الْإِسْلَامِ أُخِذَ بِالْأَوَّلِ وَالْآخِرِ».

Translation

Ibn Mas‘ūd (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: A man said: "O Messenger of Allah, will we be punished for what we did during jāhiliyyah (the pre-Islamic period of ignorance)?" He said: "He who does good in Islam will not be punished for what he did during jāhiliyyah, and he who commits evil in Islam will be punished for the previous and later deeds."

Explanation

The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) points out the merit of entering Islam. He who embraces Islam and becomes a committed, sincere, and truthful Muslim will not be punished for the sins he committed during jāhiliyyah. In contrast, he who does wrong after entering Islam, by being a hypocrite or renouncing Islam, will be punished for what he did both during his period of disbelief and after entering Islam.

Benefits

• The Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) were concerned and fearful about the deeds they committed during jāhiliyyah.
• We are urged to hold fast to Islam.
• The Hadīth points out the merit of entering Islam and that it expiates the previous sins.
• Apostates and hypocrites will be punished for all the deeds they committed during jāhiliyyah and for all the sins they perpetrated after entering Islam.

Topics

• The Creed
• Names and Rulings
• Islam
• Increase and Decrease of Faith