Ikhlas Enough?

Are you sure it just left enough?

Ikhlas is to do everything, internal and external, only desiring the pleasure of Allah. 

It is to forget the eyes of the people, and whether they view our deeds or not, with the only thing on our mind that Allah is watching us. 

There are beautiful verses in the Qur’an in this regard, where Allah describes the Abraarin Jannah:

“They are those who fulfill their vows and fear a Day whose evil will be widespread. And they give food in spite of love for it to the needy, the orphan, and the captive, [saying], “We feed you only for the countenance of Allah. We wish not from you reward or gratitude.” (Qur’an, 76:7-9)

Imam al-Ghazali said that if we want to know whether something we did was purely for the sake of Allah or not, we should test our reaction when someone acts ungratefully. 

Did we feel self-righteous, like we were doing the person a favor? 

Did we feel angry that they did not appreciate our work? 

It may not mean that our act was ostentatious, but it points to the fact that it was not solely for the sake of Allah. 

We were expecting, at the very least, recognition and respect from the person as a result of the good we did to them.

We all know the famous story of the prostitute who was rewarded with Paradise for giving a dog water – but what truly got her into Jannah? 

Was it just that simple act? 

It could not have been, because as mentioned above, there are scholars, martyrs and charitable people who will be thrown in hell because they were insincere. 

But she was helping the dog for Allah only. 

Look at how your intention elevates your deeds. 

This is why the scholars have said that it is the most important act of worship of the heart – to have the driving force of your acts be to please Allah.