Upon you a bounty then reminds you of it.
And choose for yourself what you have been given,
And be patient for verily patience is a shield.
The reminder of favours by people is, upon the hearts,
Is more hurtful than the tips (of swords).
Intention is a fundamental part of doing good in Islam. The Imam is saying that if one ever does a good deed it should only be done to achieve God’s pleasure and not to win the praise or favour of the person you are helping out.
This point is made clearly in the Qur’an when Allah says:
“O you who believe! Do not render in vain your Sadaqah (charity) by reminders of your generosity or by injury, like him who spends his wealth to be seen of men, and he does not believe in Allah, nor in the Last Day. His likeness is the likeness of a smooth rock on which is a little dust; on it falls heavy rain which leaves it bare. They are not able to do anything with what they have earned. (2:264)
This also works the opposite way too. If ever you need help then you should go to someone who does it for God and won’t expect something back from you. This will save you from exploitation and make sure you are dealing with a God-fearing individual.
