Belief is not affected by Evil Deeds and Disbelief Does not Benefit from Good Deeds

“Once I asked Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) ‘Does anyone, other than the believers, has any reward with Allah for his good deeds?’ The Imam said, ‘No, there is no one as such.’”

“Moses said to Khidr, ‘I am honored to associate with you. Instruct me with good advice.’ Khidr said, ‘Hold fast to that with which nothing can harm you just as things without it will not benefit you.”’

“I heard Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) saying, ‘With belief no deed can harm one and with disbelief no deed can benefit one. Consider how Allah has said it, ‘What prevents their offerings from acceptance is their disbelief in Allah and His Messenger, their lack of interest in prayer and spending for the cause of Allah reluctantly, (9:54) ‘. . . and they die as disbelievers.’” (9:125)

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) has said, ‘With belief no deed can harm one and with disbelief no deed can benefit one.’”

“Once I said to Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) ‘There is a Hadith narrated to us that you have told us: ‘When you recognize, do whatever you want.’ The Imam said, ‘Yes, I have said it.’ I then asked, ‘Can they even fornicate, steal and drink wine?’ The Imam then said to me, ‘To Allah we belong and to Him we return, by Allah they have not been fair to us. Is it fair that we will be held responsible for our deeds and they will be exempt!’ What I have said is that when you recognize, do whatever you want, that is, a little good or a great deal; they will be accepted from you.’”

“Amir al-Mu’minin, Ali ibn abu Talib (a.s.) would very often say about sin, ‘O people, pay attention to your religion, pay attention to your religion. An evil deed in it (your religion) is better than a good deed in something else. An evil deed in your religion can be forgiven (by means of repenting) but a good deed in something else will not be accepted.’”