Is Merely Not Committing Sins Enough?

In the comprehensive and perfect system of Islam, derived from the rich teachings of the Holy Quran, the answer to the question, "Is merely not committing sins enough for salvation and perfection?" is a resounding "No." Islam is not merely a negative religion based on abstaining from prohibitions; rather, it is a dynamic and positive way of life that encompasses both avoidance of evil and active performance of good deeds. The Holy Quran repeatedly emphasizes that faith (Iman) and righteous deeds (Amal Salih) are intertwined and interdependent; without one, the other remains incomplete. Imagine a house whose walls are merely protected from collapse, but it has no doors or windows, no light or warmth, and no sign of comfort or beauty. Is such a house a complete and habitable place? Certainly not. Similarly, a life of faith is not perfected merely by refraining from sin; rather, it requires building, developing, and adding virtues and goodness. The purpose of human creation in the Quran is not merely to avoid evil, but to reach the status of servitude to Allah and vicegerency (Khalifatullah), which necessitates continuous striving in the path of goodness, service to creation, and betterment of the earth. Allah states in the Quran: "And We have certainly honored the children of Adam" (Surah Al-Isra, verse 70), indicating the inherent dignity of humanity. This dignity is not fully realized by inaction and mere avoidance of sin; rather, it is achieved through the flourishing of divine talents in the path of good and righteousness. One of the most central concepts in the Quran is the inseparable link between "Iman" (faith) and "Amal Salih" (righteous deeds). Almost every time the rewards of the Hereafter and salvation are mentioned, these two concepts are cited together. Surah Al-Asr itself is a clear testament to this claim. Allah Almighty swears by time and states: "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." In this short Surah, not only are faith and righteous deeds considered conditions for avoiding loss, but "advising each other to truth" and "advising each other to patience" are also added. This means that a believer cannot merely suffice with self-rectification; rather, they must also be active in reforming society and enjoining good and forbidding evil. Simply refraining from sin is a fundamental and very important step, but it is not the end of the journey. The path of faith is a dynamic path that requires greater steps towards creating good and virtue in the world. The concept of "Taqwa" (piety/God-consciousness), which is heavily emphasized in the Quran, also goes beyond mere avoidance of sin. Taqwa means self-restraint and conscientiousness, but not passive conscientiousness. True Taqwa is a constant awareness of God that results in both avoiding prohibitions and eager performance of obligations and recommended acts. A person with Taqwa not only refrains from oppression but also helps the oppressed; not only does not lie but also testifies to the truth; not only does not consume people's wealth unlawfully but also spends from their own wealth in the way of Allah. It is this active aspect of Taqwa that transforms it from a passive state into a driving force for goodness. Divine rights (Huquq Allah) and human rights (Huquq al-Ibad) are two important dimensions of servitude in Islam. Avoiding sins primarily pertains to not violating rights, whether divine or human. For example, not stealing, not committing adultery, not backbiting, and not associating partners with God are all considered refraining from sin. But is this enough? Divine rights include performing prayers, paying Zakat, fasting, and performing Hajj, all of which are affirmative and active deeds. Simply not committing a sin like abandoning prayer is a sin, but failing to perform an obligatory prayer is also a failure to fulfill a duty, which is different from merely not committing a sin. Similarly, human rights are not fulfilled merely by not oppressing others; rather, they include showing kindness to parents, helping the needy, establishing justice, having good character, visiting the sick, and alleviating people's difficulties. These are all "Amal Salih" and "good deeds" that must be actively performed and are different from "merely not committing sins." For instance, suppose an individual lives their life without committing any apparent sin: they do not steal, do not lie, and do not harm anyone. In the eyes of many, they are a "harmless" and "respectable" person. But if this same person remains silent in the face of injustice, is indifferent to the needy, or ignores an opportunity to serve society, can it be said that they have reached their human and spiritual perfection? The Quran commands believers to "enjoin what is right and forbid what is wrong" (Surah Al-Imran: 104). This social responsibility goes beyond a purely individual life free of sin. A true believer is someone who not only avoids evil but also becomes a source of goodness and blessing for themselves, their family, and society. They actively strive to improve the state of the world and achieve justice and goodness. Therefore, a life of faith in Islam is a dynamic and responsible life in which abstaining from sin is only a prelude to an ocean of righteous deeds and moral virtues. This comprehensive approach guides humanity toward true perfection and felicity in this world and the Hereafter, making them a useful and effective being, not merely a harmless one.