A Guide to Sincerity in Deeds

Question:
We return at the beginning of this episode to a message sent to the program from Ha'il, sent by one of our sisters from there. The sender says: "May Allah reward you with good. Sister, we presented part of her message in a previous episode, and we hope to complete the rest of her questions in this meeting. She asks Shaykh Salih in this meeting and says: I sometimes feel that I am not sincere in my deeds, such as advising my colleagues who need advice, and doubt enters me that what I am doing contains showing off and seeking reputation. Please guide us, may Allah reward you with good."

Answer:
In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Praise be to Allah, Lord of the worlds, and may Allah send prayers and blessings upon our Prophet Muhammad, and upon his family and all his Companions. As for what follows, the Muslim must persist in righteous deeds, calling to Allah, and advising his Muslim brothers, and he should not let any of the whispers that hold him back from obedience remain in his heart, such as when Satan comes to him and says, "Leave this deed so that it is not of the nature of showing off." This is from Satan. So the Muslim must persist in doing good and make his intention sincere for Allah the Exalted and Majestic, and not pay attention to the whispers of Satan. The criterion is what is in the heart of the Muslim; as long as his intention is pure for the Face of Allah the Exalted and Majestic, this is proof of his sincerity, proof of the validity of his deed, and he is to be hoped for reward from Allah, Glorified and Exalted is He. However, if his intention includes the praise of people and their commendation of him, that is showing off. He must repent to Allah from this intention, make his deed sincere for Allah the Exalted and Majestic, and persist in obedience. Yes.