Various hadiths show the Prophet promising Paradise and forgiveness in exchange for specific deeds or donations (such as the forgiveness granted for Friday prayer):
– Uthman was promised Paradise for funding the army and buying a well
– Various companions were promised specific rewards
– Pilgrimage wipes away all sins (raising the question of whether this is a license to sin) (a promise also made about the five daily prayers)
– Fighting in jihad guarantees Paradise
These became the basis for later practices of ‘selling’ forgiveness in some contexts.
