A series of moral, doctrinal, and social statements from the esteemed religious authority, Grand Ayatollah Shirazi, may his shadow remain (Words of Wisdom, episode number 11)

Sincerity: The Condition for Acceptance of Deeds

In the Name of God, the Most Compassionate, the Most Merciful

Introduction

God, the Blessed and Exalted, says in a divine hadith (Hadith Qudsi):

“Purify your deeds, for the Evaluator is All-Seeing.”

The word “Basir” (All-Seeing) is an intensive form of “Basar”, meaning “to see.” God deeply examines our actions and precisely evaluates the sincerity behind them.

Those who intend to act fall into three categories:

1. The first group includes those who sometimes perform an action solely for the sake of someone other than God—for example, doing a good deed with the hope of receiving a favor in return or so that someone might later reciprocate. Such actions are not done for God’s sake.
2. The second group consists of those who act purely to seek God’s pleasure, even if their service to others is acknowledged or rewarded. Their intention remains directed solely toward pleasing God.
3. The third group is made up of those who act with dual intentions—they perform deeds both to please God and to gain the approval of others. This is considered associating partners with God (shirk). A person in this group might help someone hoping that this will solve one of their own problems, while also seeking God’s favor. Such an act is not pure. A sincere deed is one performed only for the sake of God's pleasure.

In a narration from an infallible Imam (peace be upon him), it is said that some people will be brought forth on the Day of Judgment whose deeds are like “white mountains”—immense in size and bright in appearance.

Their deeds—whether fasting, praying, helping others, fulfilling the needs of believers, writing books, studying, or teaching—were all seemingly correct and performed with good intent. None of them were outwardly flawed.

Yet, God will command:

“Cast them into the Fire.”

The angels will be astonished. These people spent a lifetime doing good—praying, fasting (correctly, not invalidly), assisting the faithful, and so on. Still, God orders that they be cast into Hell.

The angels—who are the unquestioning executors of God’s commands—ask in wonder why these individuals, with such a record of righteous deeds, are destined for Hell.

God responds:

“They did not seek Me through those deeds.”

They were not acting for God's sake, and now, on this Day, what right do they have to expect reward from Him? If someone performs a task for another person, it is only natural that they expect compensation from the one they worked for—not from someone else. It would be absurd to sell a house to one person and then demand payment from someone else who wasn’t even involved.

Sincerity: The Condition for Worship

The validity of acts of worship depends on sincerity. A person must carry out all their actions—both religious and otherwise—solely for God. In the context of worship, this sincerity is a requirement for its validity. However, in non-worship-related matters, although sincerity is commendable, it is not a condition for the action to be considered valid. Still, the reward and outcome of deeds in the Hereafter depend entirely on sincerity.

Although attaining sincerity is challenging, it is not unattainable. Throughout history and even today, many individuals have succeeded in performing their deeds purely for the sake of God. However, such people often remain unknown to those around them in this world. The people close to them may be completely unaware of their inner sincerity and the essence of their actions.

But in the **Hereafter—when the veils are lifted from people’s deeds—**the sincere ones will be revealed. At that time, a person may see their own father, mother, friends, or acquaintances being elevated due to their sincere actions, while they themselves can do nothing but look on with regret and longing.

One of the key areas where sincerity is essential is in prayer (salat) and its acceptance, a topic often discussed in chapters of Islamic jurisprudence. A narration states that only part of one’s prayer may be recorded in their book of deeds—sometimes half, a quarter, or even just a tenth or less. This depends on the level of concentration and presence of heart during the prayer.

The moments in which the person praying is distracted, thinking about their problems, needs, future, or reflecting on gains and losses in life, are not counted as part of the prayer.

How to Recognize a Sincere Act

Imam Ja'far al-Sadiq (peace be upon him) defines a sincere deed in this narration:

“A sincere deed is one for which you do not desire anyone’s praise except that of God.”

When someone does a good deed and expects admiration or a compliment from others in return, the act is not sincere. One should only hope for God’s approval and praise. If even the thought arises in one’s mind that others will admire them for the deed, it is a sign of insincerity.

Naturally, reaching this level of sincerity is not easy. It requires a great deal of resolve, determination, and persistence.

It is narrated about one of the revered scholars of the past that he had written a book—an effort that took considerable time and effort. During a scholarly gathering, he mentioned the book and quoted a passage from it. Coincidentally, someone asked to borrow the book to read. The scholar willingly lent it to him.

However, time passed, and the borrower never returned the book. The scholar asked about it several times, each time receiving the same vague answer: "God willing, I will bring it." Eventually, the man claimed the book had been lost and that he no longer knew where it was.

The scholar, deeply saddened, reflected on the effort he had put into writing the book for the benefit of others, only to see his work lost. Several years later, he came across the very same book—published under the name of the person who had borrowed it.

Surprisingly, the scholar was filled not with anger, but with joy. He said, "I was happy that the content I had written was reaching people and being of use." It is also reported that he never revealed the name of the person who had borrowed and then published the book under their own name.

When a deed is done purely for the pleasure of God, this is what happens: even if it brings no worldly benefit to the doer, they do not become resentful.

Of course, in certain cases, it is appropriate for someone to identify themselves as the author or contributor—especially if it serves to educate or inspire others. But even this should be for God’s satisfaction, not for fame or fulfilling one’s ego.

The invisible thread that runs through all of this is expressed in God's statement:

“Indeed, the Evaluator is All-Seeing.”

God distinguishes between the external actions and the intentions behind them. He clearly knows which acts are done to guide others and which are done for the sake of attention and self-promotion.

Any service that benefits society and guides others is surely the result of pure intention for God. Therefore, sincerity of intention should be the core of every effort. A righteous deed should be done only for God—not for God and someone else—and the doer should expect no praise or recognition from anyone other than God.

Such deeds are the ones that enrich a person’s book of deeds.

Every individual must make a firm decision to act solely for God and strive toward that path. If one does so, God the Exalted will surely assist them.

The hardships on this journey must be patiently endured so that, step by step, one may attain true sincerity for the sake of God.

May God, through the blessed intercession of the Ahl al-Bayt (peace be upon them), grant us all this success.

And peace and blessings of God be upon Muhammad and his pure family.