37/21. Chapter:
Sunan Ibn Majah 4202 — Sincerity in Deeds for Allah
Show-off and reputation
Hadith About Sincerity in Deeds and Avoiding Shirk
Sunan Ibn Majah : 4202
Sunan Ibn MajahHadith Number 4202
حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو مَرْوَانَ الْعُثْمَانِيُّ، حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ الْعَزِيزِ بْنُ أَبِي حَازِمٍ، عَنِ الْعَلاَءِ بْنِ عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ، عَنْ أَبِيهِ، عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ، أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ـ صلى الله عليه وسلم ـ قَالَ " قَالَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ أَنَا أَغْنَى الشُّرَكَاءِ عَنِ الشِّرْكِ فَمَنْ عَمِلَ لِي عَمَلاً أَشْرَكَ فِيهِ غَيْرِي فَأَنَا مِنْهُ بَرِيءٌ وَهُوَ لِلَّذِي أَشْرَكَ " .
Abu Hurairah Narrated from:
The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: “Allah says: ‘I am the Most Self-Sufficient and I have no need for an associate. Thus he who does an action for someone else’s sake as well as Mine will have that action renounced by Me to him whom he associated with Me.’”
Reference : Sunan Ibn Majah 4202In-book reference : Book 37, Hadith 103English translation : Vol. 5, Book 37, Hadith 4202
Summary of Sunan Ibn Majah Hadith 4202
This Hadith Qudsi focuses on sincerity in Islam. Allah says that He is free of any need for a partner. If someone does an action for Allah but also includes someone else as a partner in that action, Allah leaves that action to the one who was associated with Him. The lesson is simple: worship and good deeds should be for Allah alone. The Hadith does not speak about the size of the deed; it speaks about the direction of the heart. A small act done only for Allah is cleaner than an act mixed with showing off or pleasing others in worship. Searchers often look for “hadith about sincerity,” “riya hadith,” and “actions for Allah alone.” This Hadith answers that need with a direct warning.
What we learn from this hadith
- Actions done for Allah should not be mixed with seeking others.
- Allah has no need for any partner in worship.
- Sincerity is tied to the acceptance of deeds.
- Check the intention behind every act of worship.
