Is It Permissible to Perform Acts of Worship to Obtain Their Reward in This World?

Peace be upon you and the mercy of Allah.

Intention in Righteous Deeds

Dear esteemed audience, if you ask any one of us: What should our intention be when we perform righteous deeds? They would tell you: The pleasure of Allah and Paradise.

Is Seeking Worldly Reward Permissible?

Alright, if you perform a righteous deed and you do not intend to show off to people, but at the same time, the greatest motivation is not the pleasure of Allah and Paradise. Rather, because you hope from Allah for this deed a worldly reward. Is this intention acceptable or does it nullify the deed?

Meaning, let's assume that you support the Prophet, peace be upon him, and call for boycotting his enemies, and in your intention, you hope from Allah through this that He will support you if you fall into difficulties, and protect you from the evil of the evil ones as He supported His Prophet.

If you give charity hoping from Allah that He will preserve your health and protect you from diseases. If you honor the Shariah in the hearts of people and call to preserving the dignity of religion, and you hope from Allah thereby that He will preserve your dignity. Are these intentions righteous or corrupt?

Notice that in these examples, you did not perform your deeds seeking the praise of people or hoping for a reward from them, but you did them for Allah, but you ask from Allah a worldly reward for them.

Ruling on Seeking Worldly Reward

So we say, esteemed audience, this intention does not nullify the deed, but two things must be noted:

1. The Basis of Intention: The basis of your intention should be seeking the pleasure of Allah and Paradise, and that honoring the Hereafter in your heart should be the greatest motivation for your righteous deeds. This is only achieved by seeking help from Allah, by reading the Quran, keeping righteous company, and the like. At that point, there is no contradiction in also seeking the reward of this world. However, if the reward of this world is what dominates his intention, then he is not sinful in this, but he has deprived himself of the reward of the Hereafter.

   Notice the saying of Allah the Almighty: {Whoever desires the reward of this world - then with Allah is the reward of this world and the Hereafter. And ever is Allah Hearing and Seeing} [An-Nisa: 134]. This verse is different from other verses that speak about those who desire the world. The other verses contain a threat and indicate that they are originally about the disbelievers, such as His saying: {Whoever desires the hastening of the worldly punishment - We will hasten for him therein what We will for whom We intend. Then We will make for him Hell, which he will [enter to] burn in, despised and banished} [Al-Isra: 18].

   Whereas His saying: {Whoever desires the reward of this world - then with Allah is the reward of this world and the Hereafter} is closer to being guidance for the believers who desire the reward of their righteous deeds in this world to remember the Hereafter and seek it through their deeds.

   Ibn Kathir said: "And His saying: {Whoever desires the reward of this world - then with Allah is the reward of this world and the Hereafter} means: O one whose concern is only this world, know that with Allah is the reward of this world and the Hereafter." You work, work, work. Occupy yourself with your intention and take the means to honor the Hereafter within yourself to attain the good of this world and the Hereafter.

2. The Fear of Displeasure with Destiny: Secondly, esteemed audience, the servant who conditions himself that he wants the reward of this world primarily, meaning this is what dominates his intention usually, he should fear if what he wants from this world is not realized, that he will be displeased with destiny. He may say to himself: I did this righteous deed hoping from Allah that He will give me such and such from this world, or achieve for me protection from enemies, or rectify my offspring, or save me from marital problems, or provide me with a job or the like. Why did not what I hoped for come true?

   No, the servant must be pleased with what Allah has chosen for him. Allah is the All-Knowing and the Most Wise, He will reward you for your righteous deed as He wills, glorified is He. If He wills, He will achieve for you what you hoped for, and if He wills, He will not. In any case, He did not nullify your righteous deed, for Allah does not waste the reward of the good-doers.

   We need this balance, brothers. And the non-Sunnah exhortation may prepare for people something other than this, making them think that they must completely detach from this world and not think of its reward through their deeds. So let them fear Allah and say a righteous word.

   Meaning, when someone is about to die, he may leave a will that harms his heirs, or those around him advise him with this. It is required of you, O one who attends this situation, to fear Allah, say a just word, and prevent this willer and those around him from injustice in the will and dealing with the money. Do that seeking Paradise and salvation from the Fire, yes. But also, there is no harm in thereby seeking that Allah preserves you in your offspring after your death. You fear if you die and they are weak that they will be oppressed, so you fear Allah and say a righteous word hoping that Allah will preserve them and enrich them from His bounty. {And let those fear who, if they should leave behind them weak offspring, would be afraid on their account. So let them fear Allah and say a just word} [An-Nisa: 9].

Conclusion

In conclusion, esteemed audience, do not be harsh on yourselves. Seeking worldly reward from Allah through righteous deeds is permissible. Support the religion of Allah and do good deeds, adhere to the commands of Allah and avoid His prohibitions, and thereby you want from Allah elevation, a good life, and a good end in this world. At the same time, remember the Hereafter, work for it, honor it within yourself, and take the means to do so. {Then with Allah is the reward of this world and the Hereafter. And ever is Allah Hearing and Seeing}.

Peace be upon you and the mercy of Allah.