Is detesting sin enough, or must I act?

In the profound and comprehensive teachings of the Holy Quran, the relationship between inner faith and righteous deeds is one of the most fundamental discussions. Many people might ponder whether merely feeling aversion and detestation towards sin is sufficient for salvation and divine pleasure, or if this detestation must translate into action, leading to the avoidance of sin and the performance of good deeds. The unequivocal answer from the Holy Quran and the Prophetic Sunnah is that while heartfelt detestation of sin is a crucial starting point and a sign of faith in the heart, it is never sufficient on its own. True faith is always accompanied by righteous deeds, and these two are like the wings that enable a human being to soar towards felicity and closeness to God. Detesting sin, which is an inner feeling and a kind of spiritual purity, must transform into a driving force that propels an individual to actively shun forbidden acts and fulfill obligations. Without this practical action, mere detestation may gradually fade and lose its deterrent power, much like a seed planted in the ground that is not watered to bear fruit. The Holy Quran explicitly states in numerous verses that salvation and entry into Paradise are achieved not only through inner faith but also through righteous deeds. For instance, in Surah Al-Asr, one of the shortest yet most profound chapters of the Quran, Allah Almighty, after swearing by time, declares: "Indeed, mankind is in loss, Except for those who have believed and done righteous deeds and advised each other to truth and advised each other to patience" (Surah Al-Asr, verses 2-3). In this noble verse, the criteria for salvation from loss are mentioned as four things: believing, doing righteous deeds, enjoining one another to truth, and enjoining one another to patience. This precise combination teaches us that faith (of which detesting sin is a part) is incomplete without action and is not a guarantee for salvation on its own. Detesting sin means recognizing its ugliness and evil, but this recognition must transform into a strong will to abandon sin and do what God loves. This will itself requires continuous effort and struggle against one's lower self. Imagine someone who detests spoiled and poisoned food. Would merely detesting it protect them from eating it and consequently falling ill? No. They must actively refrain from eating it, and if they have consumed it, they must seek a remedy to expel the poison. The same applies to sin. If someone detests lying, they must restrain their tongue from falsehood and always commit to honesty; if they detest backbiting, they must not participate in gatherings where backbiting occurs or must try to stop it, and if they have committed it, they must seek forgiveness from the backbited person. It is this action that demonstrates the depth and sincerity of their detestation and faith. The Quran, in many verses, explicitly points to the unbreakable link between faith and righteous deeds. For example, in Surah Al-Baqarah, verse 277, we read: "Indeed, those who have believed and done righteous deeds and established prayer and given zakah will have their reward with their Lord, and there will be no fear concerning them, nor will they grieve." This verse indicates that divine reward and security from fear and sorrow are for those who have both believed and performed righteous deeds; actions like establishing prayer and giving zakah are tangible manifestations of faith, and without performing them, faith would remain merely a claim. This repeated emphasis carries a deep philosophy: Islam is a practical religion. The goal of religiosity is not merely a spiritual or intellectual state but a transformation in an individual's and society's conduct and behavior. Detesting sin is, in essence, a prerequisite for sincere repentance (Tawbah Nasuhah) and the practical abandonment of sin, followed by engaging in good deeds. True repentance is not limited to mere heartfelt remorse but includes a firm resolve to abandon sin in the future, making amends (if possible), and performing good deeds to erase the effects of sin, as we read in Surah An-Nisa, verse 31: "If you avoid the major sins which you are forbidden, We will remove from you your lesser sins and admit you to a noble entrance [to Paradise]." This verse clearly shows that it is the practical avoidance of major sins that leads to the forgiveness of minor sins and entry into Paradise. It should not be forgotten that the human self is constantly exposed to satanic temptations. Detesting sin helps a person to resist these temptations. But this resistance is itself an action; an act of self-restraint and self-control that requires vigilance and strong will. If detestation of sin does not lead to action, it may gradually diminish over time and lead the individual into the abyss of sin. Faith is like a tree whose roots are in the heart and whose fruits appear in actions. A tree that bears no fruit, even if it has roots, is not complete and may eventually wither. Therefore, Islam not only invites to inner purity but insists that this purity also manifests in human actions and conduct. The believing person not only detests sin but actively strives to avoid it and to reform themselves and society. This continuous effort is the essence of servitude and proximity to the Lord. In conclusion, detesting sin is an important foundation of faith, but not its sole foundation. This detestation must transform into a firm resolve to abandon sin, sincere repentance, making amends for the past, and continuously performing good deeds. The religion of Islam is a complete and harmonious system of belief, ethics, and action, none of which achieves its full meaning or desired effect without the others. Faith without righteous deeds is like a lamp without oil, lacking full luminosity, and righteous deeds without faith are like a lifeless body. Therefore, a true Muslim is one who both detests sin in their heart and actively keeps themselves away from it, striving towards what their Lord loves.