مسند امام احمد بن حنبل · Hadith 1068

It was narrated that 'Ali (RA) said: We were at a funeral in Baqee' al-Gharqad, and the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) came to us. He sat down and we sat down around him. He had a stick and he started to hit the ground with it, then he lifted his gaze and said: "There is no one among you, no living soul, but Allah has decreed its place in Paradise or Hell, and it has been decreed whether it is doomed or blessed." The people said: O Messenger of Allah, shouldn't we rely on our destiny and stop striving? Then whoever is one of the blessed, will end up blessed, and whoever is one of the doomed, will end up doomed. The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said: "Rather you should strive, for everyone is helped (to do their deeds): the doomed are helped to do the deeds of the doomed and the blessed are helped to do the deeds of the blessed." Then he recited: "As for him who gives (in charity) and keeps his duty to Allah and fears Him, And believes in Al-Husna We will make smooth for him the path of ease (goodness). But he who is greedy miser and thinks himself self-sufficient. And belies Al-Husna We will make smooth for him the path for evil" [al-Lail 92:5-10].

Translated by Dr. Muhammad Muhsin Khan · Reviewed by Islamic University of Madinah · Published March 2020