(… إِنَّمَا نُطْعِمُكُمْ لِوَجْهِ اللَّهِ) (“We only feed you for the sake of God …): The giver of food did not say these words when they fed the poor, the orphan and the captive, rather, Allah (swt) knows what is in their hearts, so that He (swt) praises them for their good intentions. They have given the food although they expected from the received neither recompensation nor gratitude. Giving food should be for the sake of pleasing Allah (swt). Thus, we should put the sincerity first before doing any deed. Two persons may do the same action before the people, yet one of them may be rewarded while the other may be punished. This depends on sincerity. One may ask: ‘Sincerity lies in the heart, and as long as the person does not harm anyone or commit evil, so it is not necessary to pray, as his intention is good’. We answer him: ‘The matter does not relate only to intentions, but actions are necessary too’. In this regard, the Prophet (saws) said:

“The reward of deeds depends upon the intentions…”[1]     

Hence, the good intentions should be followed by good deeds because the good intention benefits you personally, while the good deeds extend to people. For example, if you intend to give charity and you actually do so and the poor benefit from your money, then you will be rewarded if you are sincere in your action and you will not if your action lacks sincerity.

(  لَا نُرِيدُ مِنكُمْ جَزَاءً وَلَا شُكُورًا… ) (…We want from you neither compensation, nor gratitude): The compensation refers to the reward for what has been given, while gratitude entails praising before the people. Thus, the giver of charity do not seek neither compensation, nor gratitude.   

 

[1] Sahih al-Bukhari: Book of Revelation, hapter: How the Divine Revelation started being revealed to Allah’s Messenger, Hadith No. 1.