AntiKarateKid
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What do you think? I was talking with a Christian/agnostic today and didnt quite know how to answer the question.
Is doing good deeds for the sake of rewards from Allah, selfish?
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aamirsaab
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Oooh that's actually very interesting. You see, some critics of altruism would argue something similar in that doing good deeds to please someone else (or ourselves) is a selfish ideal.
I'll offer my take on your question however,
When we perform good deeds, it is not for the sake of reward from Allah, since good deeds are not enough to get into Paradise. However, we are encouraged to perform good deeds mainly for humanity sake (doing good deeds leads to cohesion, friendship, strengthening ties in society and so on and so forth).
Whilst inshallah the deeds will benefit us in the hereafter, they are not to sole factor in deducing who goes where (i.e paradise) - that is ultimately up to Allah.
Another view point however is that your intention really shouldn't matter to anyone else for doing your good deed. Think of it this way: say you save a person from being run over (your intention was ''I will be rewarded for doing this, inshallah). The fact that you saved someone's life is all that matters at that point - to you, to the person being saved and to everyone else.
Only God can measure intention, humans deduce and judge based on actions. That's not to say you should have bad intentions but, humans are generally more concerned with your actions FIRST.
On to your question: My viewpoint is therefore no, since we aren't performing good deeds for the sake of reward from God (neccessarily). Even if it is the sole factor for you doing a good deed, it is not selfish; you are at the end of the day performing a good deed ---> that is far better (for all) than not doing so!
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Tony
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no its not selfish in the least, Allah loves us so much he gives us this reward ,. I think similar when praising Allahs creation when looking in a mirror, could be considered conceit, but Allah has given us opportunity to gain in abundance from the simplest of deeds. The selfish thing would be to ignore Allahs wishes and do no good deeds and expect no reward. It is Allah making our Islam easy. Peace
Muezzin
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Does it really matter?
I know that's a silly, glib, copout response, but it's also my most honest.
If people are being peaceful and constructive, and not hurting others in so doing, and are not planning to hurt anyone or intending any other mischief, I'm one of those (probably willfully ignorant) people who doesn't tend to care either way why they're doing it.
We only say 'The ends don't justify the means' if the means are destructive.
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Ibn Abi Ahmed
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Nope, not at all.
How is doing good deeds selifsh that is what I am trying to understand when I read the question itself. First of all, you have to ellaborate what are good deeds because that itself, if you look at the explanation, it would contradict your question itself...?
There are many many things that we do that are considered good deeds in Islam: giving money to the poor, building a masjid, helping others, etc So I am trying to understand if all these are considered good deeds how can one be selfish by doing good deeds?
Unless otherwise the question asked is intended - one would just do good deeds to enter paradise but not for the sake of the creator the almighty Allah (SWT)?
In that case, Allah alone is a knowner of all the thoughts in the universe.
Personally, I would answer "No" to the question because when I look at this very own universe we live in and look at how amazingly it is made I just admire Allah's creation. It is complex for humans but so so simple for Allah and for that I am great full. One of the other reasons why I do good deeds, apart from the fear I have for the almighty, is to see heaven. It is beyond human imagination what it would be like in heaven - a place where there is no greive, sadness, poverty, wars etc.
There are many many things that we do that are considered good deeds in Islam: giving money to the poor, building a masjid, helping others, etc So I am trying to understand if all these are considered good deeds how can one be selfish by doing good deeds?
Unless otherwise the question asked is intended - one would just do good deeds to enter paradise but not for the sake of the creator the almighty Allah (SWT)?
In that case, Allah alone is a knowner of all the thoughts in the universe.
Personally, I would answer "No" to the question because when I look at this very own universe we live in and look at how amazingly it is made I just admire Allah's creation. It is complex for humans but so so simple for Allah and for that I am great full. One of the other reasons why I do good deeds, apart from the fear I have for the almighty, is to see heaven. It is beyond human imagination what it would be like in heaven - a place where there is no greive, sadness, poverty, wars etc.
I think the answer is yes.
However, Allah created us to be selfish, we always do things for our own benefit. This is 'hard wired' into our systems. So we don't have any choice but to try and seek our own benefit.
The differences in our actions only comes from what people perceive to be 'good' or 'beneficial'. Therefor, pagan Arabs who murdered their daughters thought they were doing something 'good'.
If we were not built this way, there would be no reason for allah to mention any reward for our good deeds and beliefs. However, He did. The Quran describes paradise in grweat detail, to help motivate us to do good.
However, Allah created us to be selfish, we always do things for our own benefit. This is 'hard wired' into our systems. So we don't have any choice but to try and seek our own benefit.
The differences in our actions only comes from what people perceive to be 'good' or 'beneficial'. Therefor, pagan Arabs who murdered their daughters thought they were doing something 'good'.
If we were not built this way, there would be no reason for allah to mention any reward for our good deeds and beliefs. However, He did. The Quran describes paradise in grweat detail, to help motivate us to do good.
Assalamualaikum,
If I can enter Jannah by pleasing Allah then whether my deed was selfish or not would be totally irrelevant because I would be enjoying an eternal life in Jannah. And if my not pleasing Allah and hence entering Jahannam was due to a non-selfish deed, then would I remember that in the midst of the Fire?
The most relevant important point in this issue could be that of Niyyah (intention). We must always remember to do everything for Allah, that He may be pleased, that He may avert Jahannam from us due to that deed, and that He may enter us into Jannah due to that deed.
May Allah forgive us all.
Wassalam
If I can enter Jannah by pleasing Allah then whether my deed was selfish or not would be totally irrelevant because I would be enjoying an eternal life in Jannah. And if my not pleasing Allah and hence entering Jahannam was due to a non-selfish deed, then would I remember that in the midst of the Fire?
The most relevant important point in this issue could be that of Niyyah (intention). We must always remember to do everything for Allah, that He may be pleased, that He may avert Jahannam from us due to that deed, and that He may enter us into Jannah due to that deed.
May Allah forgive us all.
Wassalam
Assalamu Alaykum
Good question. First of all I would like to say that every action a human makes is to fulfill a need. This is because we are, and always will be in need of Allah. Every action a human makes is to gain pleasure or avoid pain. Our actions can be to gain pleasure in this life, or the hereafter (paradise). Our actions can also be to avoid pain in this life or the hereafter (hell).
Even when we do something because we love Allah, it is still becuase we value Allah. The Quran makes many examples of how this world is temporary and the hereafter is eternal and better. The quran also makes it clear that the most sincere deeds that a person does is for the hereafter:
And remember Our servants Ibrahim, Ishaq and Ya‘qub, men of true strength and vision. We purified their sincerity through sincere remembrance of the Hereafter. They shall dwell with us among the righteous whom we have chosen. (Surah Sad: 45-47)
The good deeds that we do are considered worshipping god, and in the quran Allah SWT says that it is his sole reason for creating man and jinn. We are muslims, and our religion is about submitting ourselves to Allah. It doesn't matter if we obey Allah SWT by doing things that benefit us in this life and the next.
Only Allah is self sufficient, and can do things without needing from anyone. He is Alghanee (the rich,the self sufficient), everything else in the creation is in need of Allah. So whatever we do, we will constantly do it for ourselves, and we have the free will to choose if we do things for our own benefit in the hereafter or not.
Good question. First of all I would like to say that every action a human makes is to fulfill a need. This is because we are, and always will be in need of Allah. Every action a human makes is to gain pleasure or avoid pain. Our actions can be to gain pleasure in this life, or the hereafter (paradise). Our actions can also be to avoid pain in this life or the hereafter (hell).
Even when we do something because we love Allah, it is still becuase we value Allah. The Quran makes many examples of how this world is temporary and the hereafter is eternal and better. The quran also makes it clear that the most sincere deeds that a person does is for the hereafter:
And remember Our servants Ibrahim, Ishaq and Ya‘qub, men of true strength and vision. We purified their sincerity through sincere remembrance of the Hereafter. They shall dwell with us among the righteous whom we have chosen. (Surah Sad: 45-47)
The good deeds that we do are considered worshipping god, and in the quran Allah SWT says that it is his sole reason for creating man and jinn. We are muslims, and our religion is about submitting ourselves to Allah. It doesn't matter if we obey Allah SWT by doing things that benefit us in this life and the next.
Only Allah is self sufficient, and can do things without needing from anyone. He is Alghanee (the rich,the self sufficient), everything else in the creation is in need of Allah. So whatever we do, we will constantly do it for ourselves, and we have the free will to choose if we do things for our own benefit in the hereafter or not.
abu_musab461
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there is nothing wrog with doing good deeds to enter paradise beacase Allah swt constantly encourages us to do good deeds then reminds us about the rewards for doing so.
"The ones who have believed, emigrated and striven in the cause of Allah with their wealth and their lives are greater in rank in the sight of Allah . And it is those who are the attainers [of success].
Their Lord gives them good tidings of mercy from Him and approval and of gardens for them wherein is enduring pleasure.
[They will be] abiding therein forever. Indeed, Allah has with Him a great reward." (Surah Taubah)
"The ones who have believed, emigrated and striven in the cause of Allah with their wealth and their lives are greater in rank in the sight of Allah . And it is those who are the attainers [of success].
Their Lord gives them good tidings of mercy from Him and approval and of gardens for them wherein is enduring pleasure.
[They will be] abiding therein forever. Indeed, Allah has with Him a great reward." (Surah Taubah)
abu_musab461
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There are some exteme sufis like Rabiya Basri who denied the concept of worshipping Allah (swt) seeking reward from Him and avoiding the prohibitions out of the fear of His Punishment- and she went on to make some statements of kufr like
"With the fire of Hell i will burn Paradise and with the Water of Paradise i will extinguish Hell, because these are mearly a distraction from the true worship of God"
If the messenger of Allah used to beg Allah (swt) to save him from the punihsment of the grave and Hellfire and said "If you ask, ask for Jannat -al- Firdous, the highest paradise"- so you see the clear kufr or rejecting the sunnah and also the fact that Hell repersents the Punishment of God while Paradise reperesnts His Mercy.
If even half the things said about Rabiya Basri are true then truely she is one of the shaytan that are worshiped as though they are awliya on this earth.
Allah Knows Best
"With the fire of Hell i will burn Paradise and with the Water of Paradise i will extinguish Hell, because these are mearly a distraction from the true worship of God"
If the messenger of Allah used to beg Allah (swt) to save him from the punihsment of the grave and Hellfire and said "If you ask, ask for Jannat -al- Firdous, the highest paradise"- so you see the clear kufr or rejecting the sunnah and also the fact that Hell repersents the Punishment of God while Paradise reperesnts His Mercy.
If even half the things said about Rabiya Basri are true then truely she is one of the shaytan that are worshiped as though they are awliya on this earth.
Allah Knows Best
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IbnAbdulHakim
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looool
if it is then i will be as selfish as i can possibly be
if it is then i will be as selfish as i can possibly be
sabr*
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Striving for Good Deeds is Smart!
اشْهَدُ انْ لّآ اِلهَ اِلَّا اللّهُ وَ اَشْهَدُ اَنَّ مُحَمَّدً اعَبْدُه وَ رسوله
Ašh hadu al-lā ilāha illā-llāhu, wa ašh hadu anna Muhammadun ‘abduhu wa rasūluhu
I bear witness that none is worthy of worship but Allah, the One alone, without partner, and I bear witness that Muhammad is His servant and Messenger
As-Salāmu `Alaykum (السلام عليكم)
No Muslim should be ashamed for striving for excellence and good character. Making every effort to receive blessings isn't selfish. It's smart!
Allah does not promote his Vicegerent on earth to be average.
Surah Ali Imran 3:104
3:104 (Y. Ali) Let there arise out of you a band of people inviting to all that is good, enjoining what is right, and forbidding what is wrong: They are the ones to attain felicity.
(Y. Ali translation)
Allah decrees rewards and punishments.
Surah Ma'ida 5:105
5:105 O ye who believe! Guard your own souls: If ye follow (right) guidance, no hurt can come to you from those who stray. the goal of you all is to Allah. it is He that will show you the truth of all that ye do.
(Y. Ali translation)
Good deeds are promoted by Allah and recorded.
Surah Infitar 82:10-12
82:10 But verily over you (are appointed angels) to protect you,-
82:11 Kind and honourable,- Writing down (your deeds):
82:12 They know (and understand) all that ye do.
(Y. Ali translation)
Surah Ra'd 13:11
13:11 For each (such person) there are (angels) in succession, before and behind him: They guard him by command of Allah. Verily never will Allah change the condition of a people until they change it themselves (with their own souls). But when (once) Allah willeth a people's punishment, there can be no turning it back, nor will they find, besides Him, any to protect.
(Y. Ali translation)
سم الله الرحمن الرحيم
Bismillā hir Rahmā nir Rahīm
In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful
Bismillā hir Rahmā nir Rahīm
In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful
اشْهَدُ انْ لّآ اِلهَ اِلَّا اللّهُ وَ اَشْهَدُ اَنَّ مُحَمَّدً اعَبْدُه وَ رسوله
Ašh hadu al-lā ilāha illā-llāhu, wa ašh hadu anna Muhammadun ‘abduhu wa rasūluhu
I bear witness that none is worthy of worship but Allah, the One alone, without partner, and I bear witness that Muhammad is His servant and Messenger
As-Salāmu `Alaykum (السلام عليكم)
No Muslim should be ashamed for striving for excellence and good character. Making every effort to receive blessings isn't selfish. It's smart!
Allah does not promote his Vicegerent on earth to be average.
Surah Ali Imran 3:104
3:104 (Y. Ali) Let there arise out of you a band of people inviting to all that is good, enjoining what is right, and forbidding what is wrong: They are the ones to attain felicity.
(Y. Ali translation)
Allah decrees rewards and punishments.
Surah Ma'ida 5:105
5:105 O ye who believe! Guard your own souls: If ye follow (right) guidance, no hurt can come to you from those who stray. the goal of you all is to Allah. it is He that will show you the truth of all that ye do.
(Y. Ali translation)
Good deeds are promoted by Allah and recorded.
Surah Infitar 82:10-12
82:10 But verily over you (are appointed angels) to protect you,-
82:11 Kind and honourable,- Writing down (your deeds):
82:12 They know (and understand) all that ye do.
(Y. Ali translation)
Surah Ra'd 13:11
13:11 For each (such person) there are (angels) in succession, before and behind him: They guard him by command of Allah. Verily never will Allah change the condition of a people until they change it themselves (with their own souls). But when (once) Allah willeth a people's punishment, there can be no turning it back, nor will they find, besides Him, any to protect.
(Y. Ali translation)
Argamemnon
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Doing good deeds for the sake of rewards is good because it shows that you have submitted yourself to the Creator, which is all that matters.
Muslim Woman
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No , Of Course not. trying to please God Almighty is a kind of worship . Do something good , teach people to good - these are encouraged in Islam and not a sign of selfishness at all.
*{Say: “Truly, my prayer and my service of sacrifice, my life and my death, are [all] for Allah, the Cherisher of the worlds.”}* (Al-An`m 6:162).
Invite people to good for you will get as many rewards as earned by those people who listen to you and follow the advice without anything being deducted from their reward. (Bukhari & Muslim)
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Alpha Dude
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Good deeds get us into paradise and keep us out of hell. Doing good deeds is therefore a necessity.
The question is just as silly as asking whether drinking water out of necessity is selfish.
