Is faith without deeds accepted in the Quran?

In the teachings of the Holy Quran, faith (Iman) and righteous deeds (Amal Salih) are considered two sides of the same coin, inextricably linked. The Quran repeatedly and emphatically states that salvation, success, and ultimate triumph in the Hereafter are contingent upon the presence of both faith and righteous deeds. In essence, faith in the Quran is not merely a verbal assertion or a dry, lifeless internal belief; rather, it is a driving force that must manifest itself in one's conduct and actions. Without deeds, faith would be incomplete and fruitless, much like a tree that only has roots but bears no leaves, flowers, or fruit. Righteous deeds serve as the sincere testament to one's heartfelt faith, and without them, any claim of faith can be considered empty and baseless. In countless verses, the Quran pairs the phrase "الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَعَمِلُوا الصَّالِحَاتِ" (those who have believed and done righteous deeds). This extensive repetition underscores the fundamental importance of this connection. For instance, in the concise yet profound Surah Al-Asr (verses 1-3), Allah Almighty swears by time, stating: "By time, 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." This short but powerful surah encapsulates the path to salvation in Islam, clearly indicating that faith alone is insufficient and must be completed by righteous deeds. Righteous deeds encompass all individual acts of worship such as prayer (Salat), charity (Zakat), fasting (Sawm), and pilgrimage (Hajj), as well as all benevolent and ethical social actions. Honesty, justice, kindness, benevolence towards parents, caring for orphans and the needy, truthfulness, fulfilling covenants, controlling anger, patience and steadfastness in the face of difficulties, promoting good and forbidding evil, and indeed, anything that contributes to the well-being of the individual and society, falls under the umbrella of righteous deeds. These actions are not only a reflection of inner faith but also actively contribute to strengthening and deepening that faith, thereby creating a virtuous cycle of spiritual growth. A faith that does not lead to action may not be true faith, or at least it will not be a complete faith that leads to salvation and entry into Paradise on the Day of Judgment. Many Quranic verses explicitly promise rewards in the afterlife and success in the hereafter for those who possess both faith and perform righteous deeds. The significance of this linkage is so profound that some commentators consider faith without deeds to be a deficiency in faith, or in some cases, akin to the faith of hypocrites; those who verbally affirm belief but lack inner conviction and fail to demonstrate it through action. The Quran severely condemns hypocrites and deems their deeds worthless because they do not originate from pure intention and genuine faith. This point highlights that even righteous deeds must be performed with sincere intention for the sake of Allah to be accepted; an action done merely for show (riya) or worldly gain, lacking true faith, holds no spiritual value in the eyes of the Quran, even if it may yield positive worldly outcomes. Therefore, for the Quran, not only is faith without deeds unacceptable, but also a deed that lacks a root in faith and sincerity will hold no value for the Hereafter. These two are complementary; without one another, there is no path to perfection and eternal bliss. Faith is like a seed planted in the heart, and righteous deeds are the watering and nurturing of this seed, allowing it to grow into a fruitful tree whose sweet fruits are salvation in this world and the Hereafter. Thus, every true Muslim must strive to strengthen their faith by acting upon divine teachings and performing good deeds, manifesting it in their daily lives. This combination of faith and action not only leads to the betterment of the individual and society but also serves as a ladder for ascending to high ranks in Paradise and attaining divine pleasure. In conclusion, the Quran's perspective on faith and deeds is comprehensive and practical. Faith in Islam is not merely a mental or mystical experience; it is an active and dynamic responsibility. A believer is someone whose convictions are reflected in their behavior, choices, and interactions with others. This correlation between faith and deeds forms the backbone of Islamic teachings and provides a clear guide for all believers to build their lives on a solid foundation of deep beliefs and good actions. From a Quranic perspective, salvation is achieved not by faith alone, nor by deeds alone, but by the integration and interdependence of both. Allah in the Holy Quran has repeatedly reminded humanity of this truth to provide them with a clear path towards a good life and eternal happiness.