Expecting Reward from Allah Alone

Prophet Hud shows that sincerity means seeking reward only from Allah.

لَآ أَسۡـَٔلُكُمۡ عَلَيۡهِ أَجۡرًاۖ إِنۡ أَجۡرِيَ إِلَّا عَلَى ٱلَّذِي فَطَرَنِيٓ

I do not ask you for it any reward. My reward is only from the one who created me.

Quran, Hud 11:51

In this verse, Hud addresses his people. He tells them that he does not ask them for any reward for calling them to worship Allah alone. He clarifies that his reward comes only from Allah, who created him. Thus, he associates sincerity with expecting divine reward, not people's.

In our lives, we may be tempted to seek approval or compensation from others. This verse invites us to purify our intention: to act for Allah, without expecting human recognition. This frees us and makes our actions more sincere.

Today, do a good deed secretly, without telling anyone, reminding yourself that only Allah sees it and will reward it.