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Shiavault - a Vault of Shia Islamic Books Theological Instructions LESSON FIFTY-SEVEN: THE MISCARRIAGE BY EVIL ACTS (Habt) AND REMITTANCE OF SINS AFTER GOOD DEEDS (Takfīr) Introduction One point in relation to the interaction between faith and good deeds on one side and eternal prosperity on the other, or between disbelief and rebellion on one side and eternal adversity on the other, is (to know) whether the relationship between any moment of faith or disbelief (in one’s life) and its result in the Hereafter, or any good or evil deed and its reward or punishment, is certain, fixed and unchangeable or whether it can be changed in one way or another.

Is it, for instance, possible to recompense for a sin by performing a good act or vice-versa? Or will those who spend part of their lives in apostasy and rebellion and another part in faith and obedience be involved in punishment for some time and reward for the other? Or will the algebraic sum of the two parts determine one’s good or bad luck in the eternal world? Or is there something else involved?

The above point is known as “Habt and Takfīr” (‘Habt’ and ‘takfīr’ are two Qur’anic terms; the former means good deeds becoming inefficient or miscarried and the latter means remitting sins), which has been a topic of discussion and dialogue amongst the Ash’arite and Mu’tazilite scholars since ancient times. However, in this lesson I will briefly explain the issue from the Shi’ite point of view.

The relationship between faith and disbelief In previous lessons, I pointed out that where there is no faith in the principles of belief, no good deed can end in eternal prosperity; in other words, disbelief will remove the effect of deserving deeds. However, I add in this section that man’s faith at the end of his life removes the evil effects of his previous disbelief just as a bright light removes the effect of previous darkness.

Similarly, disbelief at the end of one’s life destroys the effect of his previous faith; it spoils his record (of good deeds) and annihilates his fate just like a fire destroys wood. As another example, faith resembles a bright light, which makes one’s heart and soul bright and clear and puts an end to their darkness. On the other hand, disbelief resembles switching the same light off, removing the brightness and causing darkness.