Answer: Various reasons for the nullification of our deeds that have been mentioned in religious sources, differing for believers and non-believers. For example, some actions
that nullify deeds for a believer do not apply to a non-believer, such as apostasy.
Scholars and commentators have identified several factors that lead to the nullification of good deeds as mentioned in the Quran:
1. Apostasy after faith: A person who was a believer but then renounces their faith and denies it. The Quran states:
"Whoever turns back from their faith and dies while they are disbelievers, their deeds will become void in this world and the Hereafter, and they will be the inhabitants of
the Fire" (Quran 2:217).
2. Actions without faith (disbelief and polytheism): The Quran warns those who do good deeds but do not believe in God and the Last Day that their deeds are futile:
"They are those who disbelieve in the signs of their Lord and in the meeting with Him. So their deeds have become worthless, and We will not assign any weight to them on the Day
of Resurrection" (Quran 18:105).
3. Disrespect towards the Prophet: One cause of nullification is disrespect towards the Prophet, such as speaking loudly in his presence:
"O you who have believed, do not raise your voices above the voice of the Prophet, or speak loudly to him as you speak loudly to one another, lest your deeds become worthless
while you perceive not" (Quran 49:2).
4. Lack of practical commitment to faith: The Quran states:
"Whoever disbelieves in faith, their deeds will become void, and in the Hereafter, they will be among the losers" (Quran 5:5).
5. Hypocrisy and deceit: The Quran says:
"They are the ones who have believed and then disbelieved, so their hearts were sealed, and they do not understand. When they come to you, they say, 'We believe,' but they have
entered with disbelief in their hearts, and they have left with the same. And Allah knows best what they were hiding" (Quran 63:3-4).
6. Associating with and befriending disbelievers: The Quran mentions:
"You see those with a disease in their hearts racing toward them, saying, 'We fear misfortune may strike us.' But perhaps Allah will bring victory or a decision from Him, and they
will become regretful for what they concealed in themselves. Their deeds have become worthless" (Quran 5:52).
Other factors that lead to the nullification of deeds include:
- Discontent with the verses of the Quran
- Preventing others from the path of God
- Opposing the Prophet
- Killing the prophets of God
- Killing those who enjoin good and advocate justice.
Factors that nullify deeds can be broadly categorized:
- Some sins nullify good deeds both in this world and the Hereafter, like apostasy: "Indeed, those who disbelieve in the signs of Allah and kill the prophets without right and kill
those who order justice among people - give them tidings of a painful punishment. They are the ones whose deeds have become worthless in this world and the Hereafter"
(Quran 3:21-22).
- Some sins nullify certain good deeds, like opposing the Prophet, while following the Prophet prevents the nullification of deeds.
- Some sins transfer a person's good deeds to someone else, such as murder. Habil said to his brother Qabil: "Even if you extend your hand to kill me, I will not extend my hand to
kill you. I fear Allah, the Lord of the worlds. I want you to bear my sin and your sin, and you will be among the companions of the Fire" (Quran 5:28-29).