Hadith on Sincerity: Allah looks at the hearts and deeds, not wealth or looks (English)
Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) narrated:
Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, “Allah does not look at your figures, nor at your attire but He looks at your hearts and accomplishments”.
[Muslim].
Hadith on Sincerity: Allah looks at the hearts and deeds, not wealth or looks (Arabic)
وعن أبي هريرة عبد الرحمن بن صخر رضي الله عنه قال قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم:
” إن الله لا ينظر إلى أجسامكم ، ولا إلى صوركم، ولكن ينظر إلى قلوبكم وأعمالكم” ((رواه مسلم)).
Explanation of the Hadith On Sincerity: Allah looks at the hearts and deeds, not wealth or looks
Commentary by Sheikh Ibn Uthaymeen
This hadith on sincerity alludes to what is indicated in Allah’s saying:
“O mankind! We have created you from a male and female and made you into nations and tribes that you may know one another. Verily, the most honorable of you with Allah is that [believer] who has At-Taqwa (piety).” (Al-Hujuraat: 13)
Allah, free is He from all imperfections and exalted, does not consider the figures of His slaves — whether they are big or small, healthy or unhealthy. Nor does He consider their looks — whether they are beautiful or ugly. All these amount to nothing before Allah. Likewise, He does not look at lineages — whether they are superior or inferior — nor does He look at wealth. He does not consider any of these.
There is no connection between Allah and His creation except through piety; whoever is most devout is the nearest to and most honorable before Allah. This means that Allah looks at the hearts and deeds
Therefore, do not take pride in your wealth, beauty, physique, children, mansions, cars, or anything else in this life. You should only delight if Allah favors you with piety — and this is from Allah’s favor upon you, so you should praise Allah for that.
His saying (peace and blessings be upon him): “…but He, Allah looks at your hearts”; the hearts are the focal points, and this corroborates the hadith that says : “The deeds are considered by the intentions…”
Hearts are the center of attention. For many, their deeds are apparently good, sound, and righteous, but because they are built on shambles, they become ruined. Therefore, the intention is the foundation.
You may observe two people observing the prayer in the same row, following the same Imam, but the difference between their prayers is like the difference between the east and the west because their hearts are at variance. The heart of one of them is unmindful; he may even be showing off with his prayer—and we seek refuge with Allah from this—targeting some worldly benefit with it.
On the other hand, the other person is conscious; he seeks Allah’s face and strives to follow the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) with his prayer. Hence, a great difference exists between them. Deeds are considered according to the contents of the heart, and likewise, the rewards on the Day of Resurrection.
Allah, free is He from all imperfections, has said:
“…But He will call you to account for what your hearts have earned.”
(Al-Baqarah: 225)“Verily, [Allah] is able to bring him back [to life], on the day when all the secrets will be examined [as to their truth].”
(At-Taariq: 8-9)
That is, the secrets shall be examined, not the outward. In this world, judgments between people are based on the apparent because of the saying of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), “I am only a human being and you sue one another. And perchance some of you are better at presenting evidences than the other, and I would only rule in his favor based on what I hear.” However, in the Hereafter, the secrets will be known and judged; we ask Allah to purify our hidden.
Assessment will be based on the hidden; if it is good and sound, then glad tidings to you. But if it is contrariwise, then you have missed all goodness. Allah, the Mighty and Sublime, says:
“Does He not know when the contents of the graves are poured forth, and that which is in the breasts [of men] shall be made known?” (Al-Aadiyah: 9-10)
So, the assessment will be based on the contents of the heart. For the fact that Allah—the Exalted—in His Book and His Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) in his Sunnah would emphasize setting the intention right, it behooves the individual to always purify his intention. He should rectify his heart, check the doubt in his mind, and modify it to certainty.
How? That is by paying attention to these verses:
“Verily, in the creation of the heavens and the earth, and in the alternation of night and day, there are indeed signs for men of understanding.” (Al-‘Imraan: 190)
He also says:
“Verily in the heavens and the earth are signs for the believers. And in your creation and what He scattered (through the earth) of moving creatures, are signs for people who have faith with sincerity.” (Al-Jaathiyah: 3-4)
So, whenever the devil casts doubt into your mind, just ponder over the signs of Allah. Contemplate the universe; who manages it? Ponder on how the seasons change and how Allah alternates events between people; then you will recognize that this universe has a Manager who is All-Wise, Mighty, and Sublime.
Cleanse your mind of Shirk. How do I purify my mind from it? That is by telling myself, “The people cannot benefit me if I disobey Allah, and they cannot save me from the torment (of Allah). If I obey Allah, they cannot reward me. Rewards and punishment will be given by Allah alone. In that case, why should you join any partner with Allah—the Mighty and Sublime? Why should you intend to curry favors with the creatures through your acts of worship?”
Hence, whoever seeks nearness to people through that by which nearness is sought with Allah; Allah will keep away from him and distance the creatures from him as well.
That is to say, seeking nearness to the people by means of what nearness is sought with Allah will only earn him distance from Allah and the people. Because if Allah is pleased with you, He makes the people become pleased with you, and when He is displeased with you, He directs the people’s anger towards you—we seek Allah’s refuge against His anger and punishment.
The point here, O my brother, is that: Always rectify your heart; you should regularly cleanse the heart until it becomes pure, as Allah—the Mighty and Sublime—says:
“Those are whom Allah has not wanted to purify their hearts.” (Al-Ma’idah: 41)
So, purifying the heart is a very important matter and I urge every one of us to keep this hadith on sincerity in mind every time. I ask Allah to purify my heart and yours and make us sincere to Him and true followers of His Messenger.
Check related hadith: Hadith on reward for good deeds
