The Ruling on Seeking Nearness to Allah Through Righteous Deeds

Question:
Honorable Shaykh, is it permissible for a servant to perform a righteous deed with the intention of seeking nearness to Allah through it when he performs it?

Answer:
Yes, is it permissible for a servant to perform a righteous deed with the intention of seeking nearness to Allah through it when he performs it? In what way is this sufficient? He performs the righteous deed seeking the reward and desiring what is with Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He). But if he needs to seek nearness to Allah through it, he does so, like the people of the rock who were crushed by the rock; they sought nearness to Allah through their righteous deeds. If he needs it, he seeks nearness to Allah through it. No, no, but if he performs it solely for the purpose of seeking nearness to Allah through it, that is not permissible. He performs it seeking the reward of Allah and the pleasure of Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He). Yes.