"That man can have nothing but what he strives for." Will you explain this verse? Is it valid for all kinds of works? Is man given exactly the reward of what he does?

Dear Brother / Sister,

"That man can have nothing but what he strives for." (an-Najm, 53/39) 

According to the verse above, on the Day of Resurrection, man will be shown whatever he does in the worldly life based on his will; his good deeds and bad deeds will be viewed; he will be tried justly. As a result of that just trial, everybody will be given the reward or penalty for what they did, that is, the return of their deeds  exactly.

When the return for what people did is given, it is definite that nobody will be treated unjustly but divine grace and forgiveness depends on Allah’s absolute will.  What a believer needs to do regarding the issue is to be hopeful but not to act lazily by relying on it. (Kur’an Yolu: V/119-120)

There will be no extra penalty but reward will be increased thanks to the mercy of our Lord. Allah Almighty gives sometimes one, sometimes ten and sometimes thirty thousand thawabs - as it is valid on the Night of Power (Laylatul-Qadr) – for one deed of worship out of His grace and generosity. The Night of Power is a single night but it can be a rewarding night better than one thousand nights for a person who can benefit from it. They are all based on verses and hadiths. 

"That man can have nothing but what he strives for." (an-Najm, 53/39)

The general decree of the verse above is made specific for man in terms of rewards.

It is understood from the verse above that man will be given the return for what he does in terms of thawabs and other worldly deeds as well as worldly deeds.

The laws of Allah, which encompass the universe, are valid for everybody, whether a believer or an unbeliever, whether an old man or a young man. A person who wants to be successful in this world will succeed if he works in compliance with the laws of Allah. A differentiation between a Muslim and unbeliever is not made regarding the issue.

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