A Dialogue: Is Entry into Paradise by Righteous Deeds or by Grace?

Question

Zayd and Bakr, two students, are arguing with each other. Whose argument is the stronger? Zayd: Paradise is never obtained through righteous deeds; rather, Allah the Exalted grants it out of His grace to whomever He wills, and otherwise not. (The listeners say: then good and evil count for nothing at all.)

Answer

(1) The very entry into Paradise will be by the grace of Allah the Exalted; those who deserve that grace, according to the Divine law, are the people who perform righteous deeds together with iman and keep away from sins.

Source: Fatawa Mahmudiyya

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