Is it a condition for the reward of an act that one seeks the reward from Allah?
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The questioner : May Allah reward you, O Shaykh. Is it necessary to have the intention for the reward of an act when performing it?
The Shaykh : Yes, this is an important question. It is well known that an act is not valid without intention, is it not? There is no act without intention. Some scholars said: If Allah had obligated us to perform an act without intention, it would have been an obligation of what is beyond our capacity.
When you came to this place, did you come with intention or without intention? With intention. Every sane person does not perform an act without intention. For this reason, the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said:.
But the question remains: Is it a condition for the reward of an act that one seeks the reward from Allah—as this brother asked—or does one get the reward even if he does not seek it? We say: The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said: What? And he did not say: "With faith only." He said: Sunan an-Nasa'i 2194Sahih (Darussalam) Seeking the reward has a great effect on perfecting the act—pay attention, O brother—seeking the reward has a great effect on perfecting the act. Because if you know that you will be judged as you judge, and that you will be recompensed as you act, and that the recompense is according to the act, you will perfect the act, will you not? But if you feel that if you perform the act, you are only absolved of your obligation and will not be recompensed for it, then this is deficient.
For this reason, I urge myself and you to keep this meaning in mind: that when you perform the act, you seek its reward from Allah, you seek its reward from Allah. We say, for example: The Prophet (may Allah's prayer and peace be upon him) said: And al-Tirmidhi added: Jami` at-Tirmidhi 55Da'if (Darussalam) I want from myself and you that we keep in mind that if we do that, the gates of Paradise will be opened for us, so that we strive to perfect the ablution, and we strive to say the word of tawhid (the oneness of Allah) after finishing the ablution.
So this is a matter that we should be aware of, which is: seeking the reward from Allah for this act. Now, after that
The Shaykh : Yes, this is an important question. It is well known that an act is not valid without intention, is it not? There is no act without intention. Some scholars said: If Allah had obligated us to perform an act without intention, it would have been an obligation of what is beyond our capacity.
When you came to this place, did you come with intention or without intention? With intention. Every sane person does not perform an act without intention. For this reason, the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said:
Actions are only by intentions
إنما الأعمال بالنياتBut the question remains: Is it a condition for the reward of an act that one seeks the reward from Allah—as this brother asked—or does one get the reward even if he does not seek it? We say: The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said:
Whoever fasts Ramadan
من صام رمضانout of faith and seeking reward
إيماناً واحتساباًout of faith and in the hope of reward, he will be forgiven his previous sins.
إيماناً واحتساباً غُفِر له ما تقدم من ذنبهFor this reason, I urge myself and you to keep this meaning in mind: that when you perform the act, you seek its reward from Allah, you seek its reward from Allah. We say, for example: The Prophet (may Allah's prayer and peace be upon him) said:
Whoever perfects his ablution and says: I bear witness that there is no god but Allah, and I bear witness that Muhammad is His slave and His Messenger, the eight gates of Paradise will be opened for him, and he will enter from whichever one he wishes
من أسبغ الوضوء وقال: أشهد أن لا إله إلا الله، وأشهد أن محمداً عبده ورسوله فُتِّحت له أبواب الجنة الثمانية يدخل مِن أيتها شاءO Allah! Make me among the repentant, and make me among those who purify themselves.
اللهم اجعلني من التوابين واجعلني من المتطهرينSo this is a matter that we should be aware of, which is: seeking the reward from Allah for this act. Now, after that