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

2. It is narrated from him (narrator of the Hadith above) from Yunus from certain individuals of his people from Abu ‘Abdillah عليه السلام who has said the following: “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.”’

3. It is narrated from him (narrator of the Hadith above) from Yunus from ibn Bukayr from abu ‘Umayyah Yusuf ibn Thabit who has said the following: “I heard Abu ‘Abdillah عليه السلام 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)

4. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn ‘Isa from ibn Faddal from Tha’labah from abu ‘Umayyah, Yusuf ibn Thabit ibn abu Sa’dah from Abu ‘Abdillah عليه السلام who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah عليه السلام has said, ‘With belief no deed can harm one and with disbelief no deed can benefit one.’”

5. Ahmad ibn Muhammad has narrated from al-Husayn ibn Sa’id from those whom has mentioned (in his book) from ‘Ubaydah ibn Zurara from Muhammad ibn Marid who has said the following: “Once I said to Abu ‘Abdillah عليه السلام ‘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.’”

6. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from Muhammad ibn al-Rayyan ibn al-Salt in a marfu’ manner from Abu ‘Abdillah عليه السلام who has said the following: “Amir al-Mu’minin, Ali ibn abu Talib عليه السلام 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.’”