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Have you ever felt a barrier between yourself and the good deeds you want to perform?

You desire to pray, fast, or memorize the Qur’an, yet you struggle to remain consistent.

You set out to seek knowledge or learn a new skill in your deen, but the momentum fades over time.

If this resonates with you, consider this insight from Ibn al-Qayyim in his book Al-Fawa’id

 The foundation of all goodness is to know that what Allah wills comes to pass, and what He does not will does not happen.

Once you are certain of this, you will realize that good deeds are from His blessings, so you thank Him for them and humbly ask Him not to cut them off from you.

As for bad deeds, they are from His abandonment and punishment, so you plead with Him to keep them away from you and not leave you to yourself.

Recognizing the Source of Goodness

Good deeds are not only the result of your efforts or determination—they are a blessing and gift from Allah.

This understanding should fill us with humility and gratitude for every opportunity Allah grants us to perform a righteous deed.

Our righteous predecessors understood this deeply.

They would say:

No one ever missed the congregational prayer except due to a sin they had committed.

To them, missing even one Salah was a calamity.

Why?

Because they felt that being prevented from a good deed was a sign that Allah had withheld His guidance.

What Is the Solution?

If we struggle to perform good deeds or become lazy, Ibn al-Qayyim provides the key: du’a.

Sincere du’a, turning to Allah in humility, longing for His mercy, and fearing His punishment, is the door to all goodness.

When you feel distant from good deeds or blocked from spiritual progress, it is not a moment to despair but a moment to turn to Allah with sincerity.

Plead with Him to grant you the ability to return to His worship and never abandon you to yourself.

One of the Prophet's (ﷺ) most beloved duas was:

"Do not leave me to myself, even for the blinking of an eye." (Hisn al-Muslim 123)

A Mindset Shift

This understanding also protects us from pride.

We do not feel superior or self-sufficient when we perform a good deed.

Instead, we recognize that Allah allowed us to do it.

Similarly, falling short is not an indication of permanent failure but a reminder to return to Allah in repentance and du’a.

Every time you struggle, use it as a moment to make sincere du’a, for du’a is the key that unlocks the doors of goodness.

As Ibn al-Qayyim said:

If Allah wants good for you, He grants you the key to all goodness, du’a.

So don’t let the doors remain locked.

Keep turning the key, and trust that Allah will open them when the time is right.