A slave would commit a sin and it will cause him to enter paradise. Another slave would perform a righteous deed and by it enter into the fire.
One of the salaf said, “A slave would commit a sin and it will cause him to enter paradise. Another slave would perform a righteous deed and by it enter into the fire.” The people asked: “Why is this so?” The Salaf replied: “He makes a mistake and it does not leave his consciousness. Each time he remembers the sin, he cries, becomes filled with regret, repents to Allaah, seek forgiveness, he begs and turns to Allaah, humble himself before Him and becomes dejected. He performs righteous good deeds in place of the sin and as a result, the sin becomes, in reality a source of mercy in respect of him. The other slave will perform a righteous deed and will not cease to be in his consciousness. He sees it as a favor and shows off with it. He recounts it to his lord and creation. He becomes arrogant thereby and wonders why the people do not respect him, honor him or dignify him over the deeds. He does not cause to be in this state until its consequences befall him and as a result he is admitted into the fire.” [Miftah Daar As-Sa’adah (1/297,298), Madarij As-Salikin (1/177)]
