If a reward is conditioned upon an act, do we affirm it for the one who performed it?

The questioner : If a description is attached to an act and a person performs it, do we affirm that this description applies to him? For example, if he fasts on the Day of 'Arafah, do we affirm that Allah has forgiven him for the past year and the one to come?

The Shaykh : This is an important question: Does the reward that is conditioned upon or linked to an act necessarily occur for everyone who performs that act? No, because there may be obstacles, such as showing off or others, that prevent him from receiving the reward. However, there is no doubt that for one who performs it with faith and seeking the reward from Allah, it is strongly hoped that he will receive it. For this reason, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: He thus stipulated two conditions: faith and seeking the reward from Allah, believing that He will reward him for it. So, for example, if a person fasts on the Day of 'Arafah in confirmation of the saying of the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) and seeking this great reward, it is hoped that he will receive it. If we were to say that it is inevitably obtained, it would follow that we must testify for every person who performs an act for which Allah or His Messenger has linked entry into Paradise that this specific person is among the people of Paradise. This has no basis and is not sound. Rather, it is hoped for. Similarly, if disbelief is linked to an act, we do not say that everyone who performs it is a disbeliever until the argument is established against him.