The earning of reward for one who performs an act that benefits others without intention
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The earning of reward for one who performs an act that benefits others without intention
Does a Muslim receive reward if he performs acts without the intention of seeking reward from Allah the Exalted, such as removing harm from the road, shaking hands, and attending gatherings of dhikr?
Righteous deeds are of two types: The first type: acts that are necessary and whose benefit does not extend to others. If a person performs these with intention, he is rewarded, even if his intention is merely to fulfill the obligatory duty;Meaning: and even if he did not intend to seek reward, but intended to fulfill the obligatory duty, he is rewarded.
And the second type: Acts of worship that benefit others. For these, one is rewarded for the benefit others derive from them, even if he had no intention when performing them. For this reason, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) informed that whoever plants a crop or plants a tree, and an animal eats from it or someone steals from it, he has reward for that, even though he may plant it without intending this specific intention. But as long as there is benefit for people, he has reward for it.And this is indicated by the saying of Allah the Exalted: [Surat al-Nisa: 114] And if a person does this, even merely for the sake of reconciliation without intending reward, there is good in it.Then he said: [Surat al-Nisa: 114] And this is an addition to the good that Allah mentioned in the beginning of the verse.
Removing harm from the road has a benefit that extends to others; so a person is rewarded for it, even if he had no intention regarding this removal.
Does a Muslim receive reward if he performs acts without the intention of seeking reward from Allah the Exalted, such as removing harm from the road, shaking hands, and attending gatherings of dhikr?
Righteous deeds are of two types: The first type: acts that are necessary and whose benefit does not extend to others. If a person performs these with intention, he is rewarded, even if his intention is merely to fulfill the obligatory duty;Meaning: and even if he did not intend to seek reward, but intended to fulfill the obligatory duty, he is rewarded.
And the second type: Acts of worship that benefit others. For these, one is rewarded for the benefit others derive from them, even if he had no intention when performing them. For this reason, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) informed that whoever plants a crop or plants a tree, and an animal eats from it or someone steals from it, he has reward for that, even though he may plant it without intending this specific intention. But as long as there is benefit for people, he has reward for it.And this is indicated by the saying of Allah the Exalted:
No good is there in much of their private conversation, except for those who enjoin charity or that which is right or conciliation between people
لا خَيْرَ فِي كَثِيرٍ مِنْ نَجْوَاهُمْ إِلَّا مَنْ أَمَرَ بِصَدَقَةٍ أَوْ مَعْرُوفٍ أَوْ إِصْلاحٍ بَيْنَ النَّاسِAnd whoever does that seeking means to the approval of Allah - then We are going to give him a great reward.
وَمَنْ يَفْعَلْ ذَلِكَ ابْتِغَاءَ مَرْضَاتِ اللَّهِ فَسَوْفَ نُؤْتِيهِ أَجْراً عَظِيماًRemoving harm from the road has a benefit that extends to others; so a person is rewarded for it, even if he had no intention regarding this removal.