‘Ā’ishah (may Allah be pleased with her) reported:
I said: "O Messenger of Allah, Ibn Jud‘ān used to uphold kinship ties and feed the poor during the Jāhiliyyah (pre-Islamic era of ignorance). Will this benefit him?" He said: "It will not benefit him, for he did not ever say: My Lord, forgive my sins on the Day of Judgment."
Reported by Muslim (No. 214) and Ahmad (No. 23480).
The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) reported about ‘Abdullah ibn Jud‘ān, one of the chiefs of Quraysh before Islam. His good deeds include that he used to uphold kinship ties, feed the poor, and do other noble acts commended by Islam. The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) pointed out that these deeds will not benefit him in the Hereafter because of his disbelief in Allah and the fact that he did not ever say: My Lord, forgive my sins on the Day of Judgment.
Lessons
The Hadīth points out the merit of belief and that it is a requirement for accepting people's good deeds.
It shows the evil impact of disbelief and that it renders virtuous deeds worthless.
The good deeds of the disbelievers will not avail them in the Hereafter due to their lack of belief in Allah and the Last Day.
The honorable deeds of a disbeliever will be recorded for him if he embraces Islam, and he will be rewarded for them.
Explanation in Arabic
أخبر النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم عن عبد الله بن جدعان، وكان من رؤساء قريش قبل الإسلام،
ومن أفعاله الحسنة أنه: يصل أقاربه ويحسن إليهم، ويطعم المسكين، وغيرها من الفضائل التي حث الإسلام على فعلها، بأن هذه الأعمال لن تنفعه في آخرته؛ وذلك بسبب كفره بالله، وأنه لم يقل يومًا: رب اغفر لي خطيئتي يوم الدين.
بيان فضل الإيمان، وأنه شرط لقبول الأعمال.
بيان شؤم الكفر، وأنه من مُحبطات الأعمال الصالحات.
الكفار لا تنفعهم أعمالهم في الآخرة لعدم إيمانهم بالله واليوم الآخر.
أعمال الإنسان في حال كفره تكتب له إذا أسلم، ويُجازى عليها.
