THE DAILY ISLAMIC REMINDERS. Yaumul Ahad, 4th day of Rabeeul Awwal 1440, (Sunday, 11th November, 2018) The Acceptance of Good Deeds in Islam. BismilLahir Rahmaanir Raheem. Before a Muslim moves another step forward or performs any act or deed, he/she is obliged to acquire knowledge in the path that will lead him/her to the best end, that is, having his good deeds accepted by ALLAH (Al-Wadud, The Loving, The Kind One). It is important to note that what counts is not the number of good deeds or acts of worship performed, for there may be a person who performs many good deeds, yet, all what he gains is tiredness in this life and hardships in the hereafter. Don't finish the act before asking if it's haraam or halaal. The Messenger of ALLAH (Al-Ba’ith, The Raiser of The Dead) said, “There may be a Sa’im (fasting person) who only gains hunger from his Siyam (fast), and there may be a Qa’im (who stands up in prayer at night) who only gains Sahar (staying up late) from his Qiyam!” [Ibn Maajah]. Rather, what truly counts is knowing and implementing the conditions that will ensure Allah’s acceptance of the performed good deeds and various acts of worship. There are two essential conditions that must both be present in every performed good act or deed, so as to ensure their acceptance by ALLAH (Ash-Shaheed, The Witness). First, a Muslim must seek ALLAH (Al-Haqq, The Truth, The Real) alone in the good deeds that he performs. Second, this good deed must be in total accordance with what ALLAH (Al-Wakeel, The Trustee, The Dependable) has legislated in HIS Book and what HIS Messenger has commanded in his Sunnah. Whenever one of those two conditions is absent from any righteous act or deed, then this good deed or act is neither good nor accepted, for ALLAH (Al-Haadi, The Guide) said; “So whoever hopes for the meeting with his Lord, let him work righteousness and associate none as a partner in the worship of his Lord.”Al-Quran 18:110. In his Tafsir (explanation) of the Quran, ibn Kathir said, “these are the two conditions that ensure the acceptance of any righteous act: it must be performed for the sake of ALLAH (Al-Qawee, The Strong) alone and according to the Sunnah of the Messenger of ALLAH (Al-Hamid, The All Praiseworthy).” May ALLAH (Al-Muhyi, The Giver of Life) keep guiding us and forgive us our mistakes. Aameen.