Steps Towards Happiness - The Pursuit of Worldly Gain Through Religion

Religion is too noble to be tainted by the filth of worldly desires. Righteous deeds cannot be based on anything other than sincerity, and whoever diverts their actions intended for the Hereafter for worldly purposes will be punished. The Prophet, peace be upon him, said, “If anyone acquires knowledge that should be sought seeking the Face of Allah, but he acquires it only to get some worldly advantage, he will not experience the fragrance of Paradise” 

(Ahmed1 and Abu Dawood2)

Even if a person performs many righteous deeds, his intentions are corrupt, he will be led to destruction. Allah informed us about the hypocrites who pray, spend, and fight, and the Prophet, peace be upon him, stated that they recite the holy Quean. He described them by saying, "And the example of a hypocrite who recites the Qur'an is like a Raihana (sweet basil) which smells good but tastes bitter” 

(Narrated by Bukhari)3.

However, due to their lack of sincerity, Allah, glorified be He, says: 

إِنَّ ٱلْمُنَـٰفِقِينَ فِى ٱلدَّرْكِ ٱلْأَسْفَلِ مِنَ ٱلنَّارِ وَلَن تَجِدَ لَهُمْ نَصِيرًا ١٤٥

“Indeed, the hypocrites will be in the lowest depths of the Fire - and never will you find for them a helper” 

(Surah An-Nisa, 145)

The first group of people to be burnt in the Hellfire are the reciter of the Quran, the fighter in the cause of Allah, and who give charity with their wealth, but their actions were not sincerely for the sake of Allah. They did these deeds only to be praised by others, such as being called a reciter, a brave fighter, or a generous donor.

So, seek what is with Allah with your statements and actions, as it will remain, while everything else will perish.

If a servant performs an action that outwardly appears to be for the sake of goodness, but his intention behind it is to achieve worldly goals, then this is a form of practical hypocrisy. Ibn Rajab, may Allah have mercy on him, said: "One of the greatest characteristics of practical hypocrisy is when a person performs an action and shows that he intended good with it, but he actually did it to attain a malicious objective.

He completes his plan and achieves his goal through this deception, and he rejoices in his cunning and deceit, and people praise him for what he has shown. He reaches his hidden evil purpose. Allah has mentioned this in the Quran regarding the hypocrites and the Jews."1

Even worse than this is someone who loves to be praised for what they have not done. They are promised the torment of Hell. Allah, glorified be He, says: 

لَا تَحْسَبَنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ يَفْرَحُونَ بِمَآ أَتَوا۟ وَّيُحِبُّونَ أَن يُحْمَدُوا۟ بِمَا لَمْ يَفْعَلُوا۟ فَلَا تَحْسَبَنَّهُم بِمَفَازَةٍۢ مِّنَ ٱلْعَذَابِ ۖ وَلَهُمْ عَذَابٌ أَلِيمٌۭ ١٨٨

“And never think that those who rejoice in what they have perpetrated and like to be praised for what they did not do - never think them [to be] in safety from the punishment, and for them is a painful punishment”. 

(Surah Al-Imran:Ayat 188)

1 In Al-Musnad, number (8457), from the narration of Abu Hurairah, may Allah be pleased with him.

2 In the book of knowledge, in the chapter on seeking knowledge for other than Allah, number (3664), from the narration of Abu Hurairah, may Allah be pleased with him.

Abu Dawud is Sulaiman ibn al-Ash'ath ibn Ishaq al-Azdi as-Sijistani. He was born in 202 AH and passed away in 275 AH. "Tadhkirat al-Huffaz" by Al-Dhahabi (127/2).

3 Narrated by Bukhari in the book of the virtues of the Quran, in the chapter on the sin of one who seeks fame, benefits, or pride through recitation of the Quran, number (5059), and by Muslim in the book of the prayer of travellers and shortening it, in the chapter on the virtue of a guardian of the Quran, number (797), from the narration of Abu Musa al-Ash'ari, may Allah be pleased with him.1 Jami' al-'Ulum wal-Hikam (493/2).