Goodness' Sake
\r\nThere are many people who love virtue. They love to pardon those who have wronged them. They love acquiring religious knowledge, exhibiting good manners, and behaving ethically. It is the way they are, even without formulating any conscious, deliberate intention to be that way. They love what is good in the same way that people love beauty, comfort, and camaraderie.
\r\nIt is good for people to have such tendencies. They benefit those who possess them as well as the people around them. A natural love of virtue is something desired in Islam, even without formulating a specific intention to do something good. Such deeds are worthy of blessings in their own right.
\r\nHaving such a conscious intention to do the deed for Allah’s sake just adds to the deed's blessings.
\r\nThis means that doing good for the sake of doing good is something Allah and His Messenger have enjoined upon us. Every virtuous deed we do voluntarily through our actions, our wealth, our influence, or our gifts is something encouraged by Islam.
\r\nWhen we do so because of our good natures, this is virtuous. This is blessed.
\r\nWe might begin an act of virtue without thinking about it, but then renew our intentions so we do so consciously and deliberately for Allah's sake, thereby increasing our reward.
\r\nGood deeds do not go unrewarded. True goodness is never unnoticed by Allah. This is why Allah rewards unbelievers in this world for the good deeds that they do, even though they do not have the intention to do so for Allah.
\r\nCompiled From:
\r\n "Doing Good for Goodness' Sake" - Salman al-Oadah