Imagine helping someone in need, giving charity, or spending time learning the Qur’an. You feel happy because you have done something good. But gradually, that happiness changes. You begin to think you are more righteous than people who do not do as much as you.
You start noticing other people’s mistakes while overlooking your own. You expect praise for your kindness and feel offended when nobody acknowledges your efforts.
This is a subtle danger every Muslim should be aware of: becoming so proud of our good deeds that we forget the One we are trying to please.
Doing good is important, but protecting the sincerity behind our good deeds is equally important.
WHEN GOOD DEEDS BECOME A SOURCE OF PRIDE
Islam encourages Muslims to pray, give charity, seek knowledge, help others, and perform acts of worship. These deeds are valuable, but the attitude we develop towards them matters.
For example, a young Muslim may attend Islamic classes regularly and begin looking down on friends who are still learning. Someone who gives charity may expect others to praise them. Another person may perform good deeds publicly and become upset when their efforts receive little attention.
The problem is not feeling happy about doing something beneficial. The problem begins when our good deeds feed our ego, make us look down on others, or cause us to believe that we are superior.
Allah knows the intentions behind our actions, even when people cannot see them.
REMEMBER THAT ACCEPTANCE IS NOT SOMETHING WE CAN ASSUME
One of the most important lessons in Islam is that we should strive to do good while asking Allah to accept our efforts.
Allah describes the believers who perform good deeds while remaining concerned about their return to Him:
“And they who give what they give while their hearts are fearful because they will be returning to their Lord.”
— Qur’an 23:60
This verse teaches us about the attitude of believers who are conscious of their accountability before Allah. They do good, yet they do not become careless about their standing with Him.
We should never allow our worship to make us complacent. Instead, we should continue asking Allah for sincerity, forgiveness, and acceptance.
The goal is not merely to accumulate good deeds but to perform them with a heart that seeks Allah’s pleasure.
DO NOT USE YOUR WORSHIP TO JUDGE OTHERS
You may know someone who struggles to pray consistently, someone who is still learning how to read the Qur’an, or someone who has made mistakes you would never make.
Rather than looking down on them, remember that everyone has a different journey.
Perhaps the person you underestimate is sincerely fighting a private battle. Perhaps they have good deeds you know nothing about. You cannot see the entirety of another person’s relationship with Allah.
This does not mean ignoring wrongdoing or pretending that every action is acceptable. It means correcting people with wisdom and compassion instead of using religion to humiliate them.
Your knowledge should make you more responsible, not more arrogant.
HOW CAN YOU PROTECT YOUR SINCERITY?
Renew your intention. Before performing a good deed, ask yourself why you are doing it. Is your aim to please Allah, or are you mainly seeking recognition?
Keep some good deeds private. Not every act of charity, prayer, or kindness needs to be announced. Private good deeds can help you focus on your relationship with Allah rather than people’s reactions.
Be grateful instead of boastful. Recognise that the ability and opportunity to perform good deeds are blessings from Allah.
Continue seeking forgiveness. Even when you do something good, remember that you remain a human being who needs Allah’s mercy.
Treat others gently. If you have more religious knowledge or experience, use it to encourage people rather than make them feel inferior.
LET YOUR GOOD DEEDS BRING YOU CLOSER TO ALLAH
Dear young Muslim, do not abandon good deeds because you fear becoming proud. Instead, learn to perform them with sincerity and humility.
Pray because you seek Allah’s pleasure. Give charity because you want to help. Seek knowledge because you want to understand your deen. Treat people kindly because kindness is part of the character Islam teaches.
Then ask Allah to accept your efforts and protect your heart from pride.
HEART CHECK
The purpose of good deeds is not to make you feel greater than other people. It is to help you become a more sincere servant of Allah.
May Allah purify our intentions, accept our righteous deeds, protect us from showing off and arrogance, and make us humble in our worship. Amin.
3SIXTYISLAM
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