Sincerity of Intention

Fulfilling the commandments of Allah Ta'ala only to please Him

Verses of Quran

Allah Subhanahu wa Ta'ala says:
Yes! whoever surrenders himself to Allah (i.e. follows Allah's religion of Islam) and performs good deeds with sincerity, his reward is with his Rabb. On such shall be no fear and nor shall they grieve. [Al-Baqarah 2: 112]

Allah Subhanahu wa Ta'ala says:
And only spend to please Allah. [Al-Baqarah 2: 272]

Allah Subhanahu wa Ta'ala says:
Whosoever desires the reward (for his good deeds) in this world, We shall give him of it; and whosoever desires a reward in the Hereafter, We shall give him of it. And We shall shortly reward the grateful. [Ale-'Imran 3: 145]

Allah Subhanahu wa Ta'ala mentions the address of Salih 'Alaihis Salam to his people:
No reward do I ask of you for my TablTgh (invitation). My reward is only with the Sustainer of the worlds. [Ash-Shu'ara 26: 145]

Allah Subhanahu wa Ta'ala says:
And that which you give in Zakat, only to please Allah; these are those who increase their wealth and reward. [Ar-Rum 30: 39]

Allah Subhanahu wa Ta'ala says : And call on Him (Allah) with true devotion. [AlAa'raf 7:29]

Allah Subhanahu wa Ta'ala says: Their flesh and their blood (of the sacrifices of cows, goats or camels) reach not Allah, but your piety (and internal aspirations towards Allah) reach Him. [Al-Hajj 22: 37]

Ahadith

1. Abu Hurairah Radiyallahu 'anhu narrates that Rasulullah Sallallahu 'alaihi wasallam said: Indeed Allah does not look at your faces and possessions, but He looks at your hearts and your deeds. (Muslim)

Note: It means the decision of Allah's pleasure will not be based upon your faces and possessions, but upon your hearts and deeds as to how much sincerity was in your heart.

2. 'Umar ibn Khattab Radiyallahu 'anhu narrated: I heard Rasulullah Sallallahu 'alaihi wasallam saying: Verily the reward of deeds depend upon intentions; and' indeed every man shall receive what he intended for. Thus, he whose migration was for Allah and His Messenger, so his migration will be considered for Allah and His Messenger. He whose migration was towards the world or to be married to some woman, his migration will be considered to be for what he migrated for. (Bukhari)

3. Abu Hurairah Radiyallahu 'anhu narrates that Rasulullah Sallallahu 'alaihi wasallam said: Undoubtedly upon resurrection, people will be treated according to their intentions. (Ibn Majah)

4. 'A'ishah Radiyallahu 'anha narrates that Rasiilullah Sallallahu 'alaihi wasallam said: An army will invade the Ka'bah; and when it reaches a barren plain, its men, from the first to the last, will be swallowed up by the earth. She says that I asked: O Rasulallah! How would the first and the last of them be swallowed up by the earth, when among them would be traders and people who were not a party to them. He said: The first and the last one of them would be swallowed up the earth; and when they will be resurrected they will be judged according to their intentions. (Bukhari)

5. Anas ibn Malik Radiyallahu 'anhu narrates that Rasulullah Sallallahu 'alaihi wasallam said: You have indeed left behind in Madina people who will have an equal share in reward in no matter whatsoever path you travel or whatever you spend and whatever valley you cross. The Sahabah asked: O Rasulallah! How can they be with us when they are in MadTna? He said: They intended to go out with you but were detained by a valid reason. (Abu Dawud)

6. Ibn 'Abbas Radiyallahu 'anhuma narrates from among those sayings which Rasulullah Sallallahu 'alaihi wasallam, has related from his Rabb 'Azza wa Jail: Allah has spelled out good deeds and bad ones (to the appointed angels over you). He then explained it. If any one intends to do a good deed but does not do it, Allah enters for him in His record as a complete good deed; and if he intends to do a good deed and does it, Allah enters for him in His record as ten to seven hundred and many more times as much. If any one intends to do a bad deed and does not do it (because of fear of Allah), Allah enters it for him in His record as a complete good deed; but if he intends to do it and does it, Allah records it for him as one bad deed. (Bukhari)

7. Abu Hurairah Radiyallahu 'anhu narrates that Rasulullah Sallallahu 'alaihi wasallam said: A man said indeed I will give Sadaqah (quietly)! He came out with his Sadaqah and placed it in the hands of a thief. In the morning people began to talk and say: Sadaqah was given to a thief. The man said: O Allah! All praise is for You, I will indeed give Sadaqah. And he came out with Sadaqah and placed it in the hands of an adulteress. In the morning people began to talk and say Sadaqah was given to an adulteress last night. The man said: O Allah! All praise is for You, in giving Sadaqah to an adulteress. I will surely give Sadaqah. He came out with Sadaqah and placed it in the hands of a rich man. In the morning people began to talk and say: Sadaqah was given to a rich man. The man said: O Allah! All praise is for You in giving Sadaqah to a thief, an adulteress and a rich man. He then had a dream in which he was told that his .Sadaqah which was made to be given to a thief, may perhaps result in his refraining from stealing, to the adulteress, so that she may perhaps refrain from adultery, and to the rich man so that he may perhaps pay heed and spend from what Allah had given him. (Bukhari)

Note: Because of this man's sincerity Allah accepted all three of this man's Sadaqat.

8. 'Abdullah ibn 'Umar Radiyallahu 'anhuma narrates: I heard Rasulullah Sallallahu 'alaihi wasallam saying: Three people (of an Ummah) before you, set out on a journey and they took refuge in a cave to spend the night. A rock slid from the mountain and blocked the cave. They said: Indeed you cannot be relieved from this rock, except that you invoke Allah on the basis of your good deeds. So one of them said: O Allah! I had very aged parents and I would not give milk to my children and other members of my family and slaves before my parents. One day I went far away in quest of something and I could not return to my parents before they had slept. I milked the evening milk for them and found that they were asleep. I disliked to give milk to my children and other members of my family and slaves to drink before them. So I stood by them, with the bowl of milk in my hand, waiting for them to wake up till it dawned. Then they woke up and they drank their evening's share of the milk. O Allah! If I had done so to please You, relieve us from the distress imposed upon us by this rock. So the rock moved a little resulting in a small opening; but not enough for them to get out.

Nabi Sallallahu 'alaihi wasallam then said that the second man said: O Allah! I had a cousin, whom I loved more than anybody. I desired to satisfy my lust with her, but she refused. Subsequently, a year of famine forced her to approach me. I gave her one hundred and twenty Dinars on the condition that she would yield herself to me. So she agreed and when I was able to get a hold on her she said: It is not permitted for you to break the seal of virginity except by its lawful right (that, is by marriage). I restrained myself from falling upon her and I walked away from her, though she was the most beloved of people to me, and I left the Dinars with her. O Allah! If I had done so to please You, then relieve us from the distress that we are suffering. So again the rock moved a little resulting in a small opening; but they were still unable to get out.

Nabi Sallallahu 'alaihi wasallam then said that the third one invoked: O Allah! I hired the services of some labourers and paid all of them their wages except one, who departed without taking what was due to him. I invested his wage in a business and the business prospered immensely. He came back to me after a long time and said: O slave of Allah! Pay me my due. I replied: All that you see is yours: camels, cattle, sheep and slaves. He said: O slave of Allah! Do not make fun of me. So I said: I am not joking with you. So, he took all of it and drove away not leaving anything. O Allah! If I had done so, to please You, then relieve us from this distress. So the rock moved aside, and they got out walking freely. (Bukhari)

9. Abu Kabshah Al Anmari Radiyallahu 'anhu narrates: I heard Rasulullah Sallallahu 'alaihi wasallam saying: I swear by Allah upon three things, and then I will especially tell you something afterwards.. So, remember it well! Then he said: The wealth of a man does not decrease by giving Sadaqah. If a person endures oppression patiently, Allah increases his honour. If a person opens the door of begging, Allah opens the door of poverty upon him (or said something similar). Then he said: I am going to tell you something, so remember it well. Then he said: There are four types of people in the world. 1. The slave of Allah whom Allah has bestowed wealth and knowledge; He fears Allah regarding his wealth, and through this knowledge he spends to strengthen relationships and he knows that there is a right of Allah in it; he will be in the best of ranks. 2. The slave of Allah whom Allah has given knowledge but no wealth, and he is sincere in his intention. He says: Had I been given wealth I would have spent it just like the other person, and for his intention both will be given the same reward. 3. The slave of Allah whom Allah has given wealth but no knowledge, and he spends his wealth haphazardly and he does not fear his Rabb in respect of it; he does not discharge his obligations of kinship, and does not know that Allah has a right on it. He will be in the worst of ranks. 4. The slave of Allah whom Allah has given neither wealth nor knowledge, says: Had I been given wealth, I would have spent it just like the other (third) person; for his intention, the burden of both will be alike. (Tirmidhi)

10. A man from Madinah narrates that Mu'awiyah Radiyallahu 'anhu wrote a letter to 'A'ishah Radiyallahu 'anha asking her: Write me and advise me but do not make it lengthy. So 'A'ishah Radiyallahu 'anha wrote to Mu'awiyah Radiyallahu 'anhu. After writing Salam she wrote: I have indeed heard Rasulullah Sallallahu 'alaihi wasallam saying: He who seeks Allah's pleasure at the cost of people's anger, Allah will suffice him against the trouble caused by people and he who seeks the pleasure of men at the cost of Allah's anger, Allah will leave him to the (mercy) of people wassalamu- 'Alaik (May Allah's peace be upon you). (Tirmidhi)

11. Abu Umamah Al-Bahili Radiyallahu 'anhu narrates that Rasullullah Sallallahu 'alaihi wasallam said: Verily, Allah does not accept any deed, except that done sincerely for Him and to obtain His pleasure. (Nasai)

12. Sa'd Radiyallahu 'anhu narrates that Nabi Sallallahu 'alaihi wasallam said: Undoubtedly Allah helps this Ummah because of its weak, by their supplication, Salat, and Ikhlas. (Nasai)

13. Abu Darda Radiyallahu 'anhu narrates that Nabi Sallallahu 'alaihi wasallam said: He who goes to his bed with the intention to get up during the night to offer his Salat but is overcome by sleep and wakes up in the morning; the reward is written down for him what he intended, and his sleep is a gift for him from his Rabb 'Azza wa Jall. (Nasai)

14. Zaid ibn Thabit Radiyallahu 'anhu narrates: I heard Rasulullah Sallallahu 'alaihi wasallam saying: He whose objective is the world, Allah scatters his affairs (he faces worries and anxieties in every aspect) and places the fear of poverty before his eyes; and he receives only that which has been preordained for him. And he whose intention (objective) is the Hereafter, Allah makes all his affairs easy, and enriches his heart, and the world comes to him humiliated. (Ibn Majah)

15. Zaid ibn Thabit Radiyallahu 'anhu narrates that Nabi Sallallahu 'alaihi wasallam said: There are three habits which keep the heart of a Muslim free from hatred, malice and deception: 1. A deed performed sincerely for the pleasure of Allah. 2. Well wishing for the Rulers. 3. Holding fast to the Jama'ah of Muslims, as their supplications surround those with them. (Ibn Hibban)

16. Thawban Radiyallahu 'anhu narrates: I heard Rasulullah Sallallahu 'alaihi wasallam saying: Glad tidings to the sincere (people). They are an illumination in the darkness, because of whom all severe evils are driven away. (Baihaqi)

17. Abu Firas Rahimahullah of the tribe of Asjam narrated that a person loudly asked: O Rasulallah! What is Iman? He replied: Ikhlas (sincerity). (Baihaqi)

18. Abu Umamah Radiyallahu 'anhu narrates that Rasulullah Sallallahu 'alaihi wasallam said: Giving Sadaqah secretly cools the anger of the Rabb. (Tabarani)

19. Abu Dhar Radiyallahu 'anhu narrates that it was asked of Rasulullah Sallallahu 'alaihi wasallam: What do you say about that person who does a good deed and the people praise him for that? He replied: That is immediate glad tidings to the believer. (Muslim)

Note: Indeed, for the Hereafter, there are numerous glad tidings for him, however here he receives an immediate glad tiding provided his action was done solely for the Allah's pleasure and not for the praise of people.

20. 'A'ishah Radiyallahu 'anha wife of Nabi Sallallahu 'alaihi wasallam narrates: I asked Rasulullah Sallallahu 'alaihi wasallam the meaning of the verse: And those who give what they have given while their hearts are fearful. (Mu'minun: 60)

'A'ishah Radiyallahu 'anha asked: If these are the people who drink wine and steal. Rasulullah Sallallahu 'alaihi wasallam replied: No, O daughter of Siddiq! But they are those who fast, offer Salat, give Sadaqah, and they fear that their good deeds may not to be accepted by Allah. These are the people who race towards good deeds and are foremost in them. (Tirmidhi)

21. Sa'd Radiyallahu 'anhu narrates: I heard Rasulullah Sallallahu 'alaihi wasallam saying: Indeed Allah loves that slave of His who is pious, self sufficient and contented with what has been given to him and is inconspicuous. (Muslim)

22. Abu Sa'id Al-Khudri Radiyallahu 'anhu narrates that Rasulullah Sallallahu 'alaihi wasallam said: If a man was to do a deed within a rock which has no door or window, his deed would become known to people, whatever it is good or bad. (Baihaqi)

Note: When a deed of whatever nature will eventually become known, then why should those who engage in good deeds spoil them by insincerity? And what benefit is there for an evil-doer in concealing his bad deed? For this will ultimately be exposed. (Tarjuman-us-Sunnah)

23. Ma'n ibn Yazid Radiyallahu 'anhuma narrates that my father, " Yazid Radiyallahu 'anhu, set aside some Dinars for charity, and gave them to a person in the masjid (so that these may be given to a needy person). I went and (being needy myself) took those Dinars and came back. My father said: I swear by Allah! I had not meant these to be given to you. So I took my father to Rasulullah Sallallahu 'alaihi wasallam and presented this matter to him. Rasulullah Sallallahu 'alaihi wasallam said to my father: You have your reward as intended O Yazid! and said to me: And what you have taken is yours O Ma'n. (Bukhari)

24. Taus Rahimahullah narrates that a man said: O Rasullallah! I get up to do some good deed at certain times; and I intend to please Allah and I desire that this deed may be seen. Rasulullah Sallallahu 'alaihi wasallam did not reply until this verse was revealed: He who longs to see his Rabb (wishing to become His beloved) let him do righteous work, and make none share of the worship due unto his Rabb. (Kahf 18:1 10) (Tafsir ibn Kathir)

Note: The form of shirk (polytheism) which is forbidden in this verse relates to showing off. It is forbidden to mix some worldly desire in a work which aught to be. done solely for the pleasure of Allah. This is also hidden shirk which destroys a man's good deeds.

To Act in pure earnest to please Allah Ta'ala, with belief in his promise and with hope of his rewards

Ahadith

25. Abdullah ibn 'Amr Radiyallahu 'anhuma narrates that Rasulullah Sallallahu 'alaihi wasallam said: There are forty virtuous deeds; the best of them is to lend one's goat to another, so that he may benefit from its milk. Anyone who does any of these virtuous deeds hoping for reward and affirming upon Allah's promise, Allah will send him to Paradise. (Bukhari)

Note: Rasulullah Sallallahu 'alaihi wasallam did not give the details of each of these forty virtuous deeds, so that a good deed may be done believing that it is amongst those forty deeds whose excellence has been mentioned in this hadlth. (Fath-ul-Bari) The objective is that a person should do every deed with the quality of Iman and ehtisdb, that is while doing the deed he must have belief in the promises of Allah and be conscious of its rewards.

26. Abu Hurairah Radiyallahu 'anhu narrates that Rasulullah Sallallahu 'alaihi wasallam said: If anyone attends the funeral of a Muslim with the belief in His promises, and hoping for His rewards and stays till the prayer is offered and the burial is completed he will get the reward of two Qirats, each Qirat being equivalent to Uhud; and if anyone prays over the dead and. returns before the burial he will come back with one Qirat. (Bukhari)

Note: A Qirat is one-twelfth of a Dirham. In that period wages were paid to labourers for their work in the form of a Qirat. Therefore, Rasulullah Sallallahu 'alaihi wasallam also used the word Qirat but then clarified that this should not be considered a worldly Qirat, but that its reward will be according to the Qirat of the Hereafter which will be as great and magnificent as Mount Uhud when compared to the Qirat of this world. (Ma'ariful Hadith)

27. Abu Darda' Radiyallahu 'anhu reports: I heard Abul Qasim (Rasulullah) Sallallahu 'alaihi wasallam narrating in a Hadith Qudsi that verily Allah has said: O Isa! I will send such an Ummah after you, that when they receive something they like (of bounty and comfort), they will praise Allah, and when confronted with something they dislike, they will bear this with patience, hoping for Allah's pleasure and reward. These people will neither have Hilm (softness and forbearance) nor ilm (knowledge). 'Isa 'Alaihis Salam submitted: O my Rabb! How will they do all this when they will neither have Hilm nor ilm? Allah said: I shall give them Hilm from My Hilm and ilm from My i;m. (Mustadrak Hakim)

28. Abu Umamah Radiyallahu 'anhu narrates in a Hadith Qudsi: I heard Rasulullah Sallallahu 'alaihi wasallam saying that Allah Subhanahu says: O Son of Adam! If (on losing something or hearing some grievous news) from the beginning you have patience .and hope for My pleasure and My reward then I will not be pleased for you with anything less than Paradise. (Ibn Majah)

29. Abu Mas'ud Radiyallahu 'anhu narrates that Rasulullah Sallallahu 'alaihi wasallam said: When a person spends on his family, hoping for Allah's pleasure and believing in reward from Allah then this spending is Sadaqah for him. (Bukhari)

30. Sa'd ibn Abi Waqqas Radiyallahu 'anhu narrates that Rasulullah Sallallahu 'alaihi wasallam said: Indeed whenever you spend to please Allah, you will be rewarded for it; even for a morsel which you put in your wife's mouth. (Bukhari)

31. Usamah Radiyallahu 'anhu narrates that I was present with Nabi Sallallahu 'alaihi wasallam, when a messenger came from one of his daughters, at that time Sa'd, Ubayy ibne Ka'b, Mu'adh Radiyallahu anhum were with him, with the message that her son is close to death. Upon this he conveyed this message to his daughter: It is for Allah what He has taken; and it is for Allah what He has given. The time of everything is destined, therefore, be patient and hopeful of reward from Allah. (Bukhari)

32. Abu Hurairah Radiyallahu 'anhu narrates that Rasulullah Sallallahu 'alaihi wasallam told the women of the Ansar: Anyone of you whose three children die and she hopes for the pleasure of Allah and reward from Him for it, she will enter Paradise. One of them asked: If two die? O Rasulallah! He replied: Even if two die (Muslim)

33. 'Abdullah ibn 'Amr ibnil 'As Radiyallahu 'anhuma narrates that Rasulullah Sallallahu 'alaihi wasallam said: When Allah takes away the beloved from amongst the people of the earth of a believing slave and he is patient, hopes for a reward and says what he has been ordered to say (e.g lnna lillahi wa inna ilaihi raji'un), then Allah is pleased with nothing less than Paradise for him. (Nasai)

34. 'Abdullah ibn 'Amr Radiyallahu 'anhuma narrates: I asked- O Rasulallah! Tell me about Jihad and Ghazwahl He replied: O 'Abdullah ibn 'Amr! If you fight with patience, seeking from Allah His pleasure and your reward, Allah will resurrect you as one enduring patiently and seeking His pleasure and reward from Him If you fight for showing off and seeking to acquire lots of captured enemy assets, then Allah will resurrect you as fighting for showing off and seeking to acquire much of captured enemy assets O 'Abdullah ibn 'Amr! In whatever state (and with whatever intention) you kill or are killed, Allah will resurrect you in that state (Abu Dawud)

Condemnation of Riya

Condemnation of deeds being done with the intention of being seen by others

Verses of Quran

Allah Subhanahu wa Ta'ala says:
When they stand up to offer Salah they perform it lazily and to be seen of men, and do not remember Allah but little. [An-Nisa 4:142]

Allah Subhanahu wa Ta'ala says:
So woe to those who pray, but are unmindful of their prayers; who make a show (of piety). [Al-Ma'un 107:4-6]

Note: "...are unmindful of their prayers": includes offering it Qada (after its prescribed time), or offering it inattentively, or offering it irregularly. (Kashfur Rahman)

Ahadith

35. Anas ibn Malik Radiyallahu 'anhu narrates that Nabi Sallallahu 'alaihi wasallam said: Indeed it is evil enough for a man to have fingers pointed at him for some religious or worldly reason, except whom Allah protects. (Tirmidhi)

Note: Having fingers pointed at means to become famous which is dangerous. As after becoming famous to save oneself from the feeling of pride is not possible for every one. If fame is unintentional and gifted by Allah, and He, by His grace, saves one from the evil of one's inner self and Shaitan, then for such sincere persons fame is not dangerous. (Mazahir Haque)

36. 'Umar ibn Khattab Radiyallahu 'anhu narrates that one day he went to the masjid of Rasulullah Sallallahu 'alaihi wasallam and found Mu'adh ibne-Jabal sitting by the grave of Nabi Sallallahu 'alaihi wasallam and weeping. He asked: What makes you weep? Mu'adh replied: A thing made me cry which I heard from Rasulullah Sallallahu 'alaihi wasallam. He said: Indeed even a little showing off is Shirk (polytheism), and verily he who has enmity with a friend of Allah has gone forth to wage war with Allah. Indeed, Allah loves those who do good deeds, fear Him and are unknown; when absent they are not looked for and when present they are not called forward nor recognised. Their hearts are lamps of guidance which pull them out from the dark storms of temptations (because of the light of their hearts, they save their Deen). (Ibn Majah)

37. Malik Radiyallahu 'anhu narrates that Rasulullah Sallallahu 'alaihi wasallam said: No two hungry wolves let loose amongst sheep will cause more loss than a man's greed for wealth and self- esteem to his religion. (Tirmidhi)

38. Abu Hurairah Radiyallahu 'anhu narrates that Rasulullah Sallallahu 'alaihi wasallam said: He who seeks worldly things, though in a lawful way, td boast, to acquire too much, and to show off will meet Allah such that Allah will be very angry with him. And he who seeks worldly things in a lawful way, to keep away from begging, and striving for his family and behaving kindly towards his neighbours, will meet Allah on the Day of Resurrection with his face shining like the full moon. (Baihaqi)

39. Hasan Rahimahullah narrates that Rasulullah Sallallahu 'alaihi wasallam said: Any slave of Allah, who gives a speech will be asked by Allah 'Azza wa Jail, as to what he intended with it? Ja'far Rahimahullah said: Whenever Malik bin Dinar Rahimahullah used to narrate this hadlth, he would cry so much as to choke his voice. He would then say: People think that my eyes get cooled when speaking before you. Indeed I know Allah 'Azza wa Jail will on the Day of Resurrection ask me: What was the purpose of your speech? (Baihaqi)

40. Ibn 'Abbas Radiyallahu 'anhuma narrates that Rasulullah Sallallahu 'alaihi wasallam said: He who makes Allah angry for pleasing people, Allah becomes angry and makes those people angry with him whom he had pleased by angering Allah. And he who pleases Allah by making people angry Allah is pleased with him and makes those people pleased with him whom he had made angry to please Allah. So much so that He makes him virtuous in the eyes of those people who were angry and his words and deeds become adorned in their eyes. (Tabarani, Majma-'uz-Zawaid)

41. Abu Hurairah Radiyallahu 'anhu narrates: I heard Rasulullah Sallallahu 'alaihi wasallam saying: The first amongst the people against whom judgment will be pronounced on the Day of Resurrection will be a martyr. He will be brought forward. Allah will remind him of His favours and he will acknowledge them. Allah Ta'ala will ask: What did you do (to show gratitude) for these favours? He will reply: I fought for You till I was martyred. Allah will say: You have lied; you fought to be called brave, so it has been said. Command will then be issued about him. He will be dragged on his face, until cast into the Fire.

Next, a man who had learnt and taught (religious) knowledge and recited the Qur'an, will be brought forward. Allah will remind him of His favours and he will acknowledge them. Allah Ta'ala will ask: What did you do (to show gratitude) for these favours? He will reply: I learnt and taught (religious) knowledge and recited the Qur'an for Your sake. Allah Ta'ala will say: You have lied, you acquired knowledge to be called learned, and you recited the Qur'an to be called Qari (reciter of the Qur'an); so you have been called such. Command will then be issued about him. He will be dragged on his face, until cast into the Fire.

Next a man whom Allah Ta'ala had made wealthy and to whom He had given all kinds of riches, will be brought forward. Allah Ta'ala will remind him of His favours and he will acknowledge them. Allah Ta'ala will ask: What did you do (to show gratitude) for these favours? He will reply: I left no cause in which You like money to be spent, except that I spent in it for Your sake. Allah Ta'ala will say: You have lied; you did so to be called generous, so it has been said. Command will then be issued about him. He will be dragged on his face and cast into the Fire. (Muslim)

42. Abu Hurairah Radiyallahu 'anhu narrates that Rasulullah Sallallahu 'alaihi wasallam said: If anyone acquires knowledge by which Allah's pleasure was to be sought, but acquires it only to get some worldly advantage, he shall not even experience the fragrance of Paradise on the Day of Resurrection. (Abu Dawud)

43. Abu Hurairah Radiyallahu 'anhu narrates that Rasulullah Sallallahu 'alaihi wasallam said: In the last period, such men will come forth, who will fraudulently use religion for worldly ends, and wear sheepskins in public to display meekness (pretending to be without worldly desires). Their tongues will be sweeter than sugar, but their hearts will be the hearts of wolves. Allah Ta'ala will say: Are they trying to deceive Me or do they dare to rise up against Me? I swear- by Myself that I shall send such afflictions upon them, which will leave the intelligent among them confounded. (That, I will impose such people on them, from amongst them, who will cause a variety of problems for them.) (Tirmidhi)

44. Abu Sa'id ibn Abu Fadalah Al-Ansari Radiyallahu 'anhu, who was one of the Sahabah, narrates: I heard Rasulullah Sallallahu 'alaihi wasallam saying: When Allah will assemble men on the Day of Resurrection, a day about which there is no doubt, an announcer will announce: He who used to associate someone with Allah in a deed, which he did for the sake of Allah, he should seek the reward from someone besides Allah, for indeed Allah is the One Who is beyond need of partners to be associated with Him. (Tirmidhi)

Note: Allah being absolutely self-sufficient, does not tolerate any partner.

45. 'Abdullah ibn 'Umar Radiyallahu 'anhuma narrates that Nabi Sallallahu 'alaihi wasallam said: Whoever acquirers knowledge for any one apart from Allah or intends by it other than Allah (honour, fame, wealth, etc.), then let him make his abode in Hell-Fire.(Tirmidhi)

46. Abu Hurairah Radiyallahu 'anhu narrates that Rasulullah Sallallahu 'alaihi wasallam said: Seek refugefrom Jubbil-Hazan (Pit of Sorrow). The Sahabah asked: What is Jubbul-Hazan? Rasulullah Sallallahu 'alaihi wasallam replied: It is a valley in Hell, from which Hell itself seeks refuge hundred times a day. It was asked: O Rasulallah! Who will enter it? Rasulullah Sallallahu 'alaihi wasallam replied: The reciters of the Qur'an who show off their deeds. (Tirmidhi)

47. Ibn 'Abbas Radiyallahu 'anhuma narrates that Nabi Sallallahu 'alaihi wasallam said: Verily soon some of my people will acquire knowledge of Deen (religion) and will recite the Qur'an and say: We go to rulers to get some of their worldly wealth, and withdraw ourselves from their evil because of our Deen. This never happens. As nothing but thorns can be gathered from tragacanth (thorny) trees likewise only evil can be gathered from drawing near to them (Ibn Majah and Targhib)

48. Abu Sa'id Radiyallahu 'anhu narrates that Rasulullah Sallallahu 'alaihi wasallam came out from his house to us while we were talking about Dajjal. Rasulullah §allallahu 'alaihi wasallam said: Should I not tell you what causes me more fear for you than Dajjal? We replied: Certainly, yes. Rasulullah Sallallahu 'alaihi wasallam said: Shirk-ul-Khafi (hidden polytheism), like a man who gets up to offer Salah and tries to improve his Salah because he sees someone looking at him. (Ibn Majah)

Translator's Note: Dajjal is the great Deceiver who will appear near the end of the world and will claim to be God and will be killed by 'Isa alaihis Salam at his second arrival.

49. Ubayy ibn Ka'b Radiyallahu 'anhu narrates that Rasulullah Sallallahu 'alaihi wasallam said: Give glad tidings to this Ummah of honour, eminence, Allah's help and authority on earth. Whoever amongst them is engaged in an act of the Hereafter for worldly benefit will have no share in the Hereafter. (Musnad Ahmad)

50. Shaddad ibn Aws Radiyallahu 'anhu narrates: I heard Rasulullah Sallallahu 'alaihi wasallam saying: Anyone who offers Salat, for show, indeed he has committed Shirk; and anyone who fasts for show, indeed he has committed Shirk; and anyone who gives Sadaqah, for show, indeed he has committed Shirk. (Musnad Ahmad)

Note: This means that if the deeds are done to be shown to the people, it amounts to ascribing those people as partners of Allah. As such these deeds are no longer for the sake of Allah but for the sake of those people for whom they were done. The doer of these deeds, instead of deserving reward, becomes liable for punishment.

51. It is said about Shaddad ibn Aws Radiyallahu 'anhu that he once started weeping. He was asked about his crying, and he replied: It is something I heard from Rasulullah Sallallahu 'alaihi wasallam when I remember this, it makes me weep. I heard Rasulullah Sallallahu 'alaihi wasallam saying: I fear for my people of Shirk (ascribing partners to Allah) and Hidden Desires. Shaddad Radiyallahu 'anhu says: I asked: O Rasulallah! Would your people be involved in Shirk after your death? He replied: Yes (but) they will not worship the sun, the moon, a stone, or an idol; but they will act for display (without sincerity). Hidden Desire is that one of them will start the day fasting, but when any of his desires presents itself to him, he will abandon his fast (and just satisfy his desire). (Musnad Ahmad)

52. Mu'adh Radiyallahu 'anhu narrates that indeed Nabi Sallallahu 'alaihi wasallam said: In the Last Days there will be people who will be brothers in public but enemies in secret. It was asked, O Rasulallah! How will this be? He replied: This will happen because of some personal gain, they will maintain (superficial) friendship and because of (hidden enmity) they will fear each other. (Musnad Ahmad)

Note: This means that the friendship and enmity of these people will be based on their personal interests, and not to please Allah.

53. Abu Musa Al-Ash'ari Radiyallahu 'anhu narrates: One day Rasulullah Sallallahu 'alaihi wasallam delivered a sermon to us, in which he said: O people! Avoid Shirk. Indeed it is more silent than the crawling of an ant. One whom Allah inspired asked: How can we avoid it, when it is more silent than the crawling of an ant? O Rasulallah! He said: say this: O Allah we seek refuge of You from the Shirk which we know and ask forgiveness from the Shirk of which we know not. (Musnad Ahmad)

54. Abu Barzah Radiyallahu 'anhu narrates that Nabi Sallallahu 'alaihi wasallam said: I fear that you may indulge in such misleading desires that relate to your bellies and your private parts and such misleading desires that will lead you astray. (Musnad Ahmad, Bazzar, Majma- 'uz-Zawaid)

55. 'Abdullah ibn 'Amr Radiyallahu 'anhuma narrates: I heard Rasulullah Sallallahu 'alaihi wasallam saying: He who does deeds so that they may be publicly talked about, Allah will make it known publicly and will belittle and humiliate him amongst men. (Tabarani, Majma-'uz-Zawaid)

56. Mu'adh ibn Jabal Radiyallahu 'anhu narrates that Rasulullah Sallallahu 'alaihi wasallam said: Any slave (of Allah) who does good deeds for fame and to be seen, Allah will make it known and humiliate him in front of all the creations on the Day of Resurrection. (Tabarani, Majma-'uz-Zawaid)

57. Anas ibn Malik Radiyallahu 'anhu narrates that Rasulullah Sallallahu 'alaihi wasallam said: On the Day of Judgement sealed books of deeds will be brought and presented to Allah Tabaraka wa Ta'ala and Allah Tabaraka wa Ta'ala will say: Throw these (for some) and accept these (for some). The angels will say: By Your Honour and Majesty! We have not seen anything in these books except good. To which Allah 'Azza wa Jail will say: Indeed those deeds were not done for Me, and today I will not accept but those deeds done only for My pleasure.

In another narration, the angels will say: By Your honour! We have not written but what he had done. Allah will say: You say the truth but indeed his deeds were not done for My pleasure. (Tabarani, Bazzar, Majma-'uz-Zawaid)

58. Anas Radiyallahu 'anhu narrates that indeed Nabi Sallallahu 'alaihi wasallam said: The things of destruction are: Miserliness which is obeyed; that sensual desire which is pursued; and the consideration of a person for himself as being superior to others. (Baihaqi)

59. Abu Hurairah Radiyallahu 'anhu narrates that NabT Sallallahu 'alaihi wasallam said: The worst of people as regards his rank in the Hereafter is he who spoils his life of the Hereafter for the worldly benefit of others. (Baihaqi)

60. 'Umar ibn Khattab Radiyallahu 'anhu narrates that Nabi Sallallahu 'alaihi wasallam said: My greatest fear for this Ummah is my fear of that hypocrite who is eloquent in speech. (Baihaqi)

Note: By hypocrite is meant a pretender (insincere person) or a Fasiq (transgressor of the limits of Allah). (Mazahir-e- Haq)

61. .'Abdullah ibn Qais Al Khuza'i Radiyallahu 'anhu narrates that indeed Rasulullah Sallallahu 'alaihi wasallam said: He who engages in a virtuous deed intending to show off and get fame; he remains under the wrath of Allah until he abandons that intention. (Tafsir ibn Kathir)

62. 'Abdullah ibn 'Umar Radiyallahu 'anhuma narrates that Rasulullah Sallallahu 'alaihi wasallam said: He who wears the dress of fame in this world, Allah will clothe him with the dress of humiliation on the Day of Resurrection and will set it ablaze. (Ibn Majah)

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