The Truth About Salvation — Page 10
Hazrat Mirza Bashir-ud-Din Mahmud Ahmad 10 The granting of salvation by God Almighty is similar to this. People perform good deeds, even as they possess frailties and weaknesses. However, when individuals ardently strive to undertake acts of virtue, they attract the mercy and grace of God Almighty, and subsequently attain salvation. We are witness to the fact that in worldly endeavours when a person works particularly hard they draw the mercy and appreciation of their employer. Thus it is not possible for a person to strive to win the pleasure of God Almighty and not attain His mercy. GOOD DEEDS ARE NECESSARY FOR SALVATION Therefore, according to our beliefs, good deeds are essential in drawing near the grace of God, and it is through His grace that one can attain salvation. There can be no salvation without the exercise of actions. For example, when an individual shows mercy towards another, it is because the sadness of their plight drew the mercy of the former. All things are achieved through certain means. Good deeds are the foremost means by which God’s mercy is attained. It is for this reason that Islam puts such emphasis on personal conduct. However, salvation in its essence, depends on God’s mercy alone. The Holy Prophet sa was once asked if his