How do I know if the good deed I'm doing is out of faith?

Dear friends, one of the deepest and most fundamental questions that arises for any Muslim on the path of self-improvement and servitude is: how can one ensure that our good deeds are truly nourished by the pure spring of genuine faith, and not by other motives such as showing off, seeking fame, or gaining people's attention? This question has a Quranic and prophetic root, and its answer lies in the concepts of 'Ikhlas' (sincerity) and 'Niyyah' (intention), which are the backbone of every righteous act in Islam. The Holy Quran repeatedly emphasizes the importance of sincerity in intention for every action, especially acts of worship and charity. Indeed, the value of any deed in the sight of Allah is not determined by its volume or quantity, but by the purity of its intention and its inner quality. The first and most crucial criterion for recognizing a good deed stemming from faith is 'Ikhlas,' or sincerity. Ikhlas means performing an act solely to gain the pleasure of Allah and to draw closer to Him, without any partner or goal other than Him being involved. When an action is performed with Ikhlas, all worldly motivations such as seeking people's praise, gaining status, or material benefits vanish. Allah states in Surah Al-Bayyinah, verse 5: "And they were not commanded except to worship Allah, [being] sincerely obedient to Him, inclining to truth, and to establish prayer and to give zakat. And that is the correct religion." This verse explicitly shows that the essence of religion and servitude is built upon sincerity. Furthermore, in Surah Az-Zumar, verse 2, we read: "Indeed, We have sent down to you the Book with truth, so worship Allah, [being] sincerely obedient to Him." These verses emphasize that worship and any good deed only acquire true value when they are performed with sincerity and for the Creator's pleasure. So, how can we identify sincerity within ourselves and be certain that our actions truly originate from our faith? There are several signs and criteria that can help us: 1. Consistency in action, whether in private or public: A person of true faith performs good deeds equally and with the same quality, whether people are present or not. It makes no difference to them whether someone sees and praises them; their sole motivation is Allah's pleasure. If we only think of doing good when we are in a crowd, we should question our intention. 2. No expectation of reward or thanks from people: One whose action originates from their faith does not expect gratitude, praise, or recompense from humans. They know their true reward is from Allah (SWT). If we feel hurt by someone's lack of appreciation, it indicates that part of our intention was directed towards people. 3. A sense of humility and absence of pride after performing the act: A good deed performed with pure faith does not lead to arrogance or pride. Rather, it makes the individual aware of Allah's grace and blessings, creating a sense of insignificance and humility before the magnificence of Allah. They realize that any good deed is only possible with Allah's help, and there is no room for self-admiration. 4. Not being bothered by being ignored or criticized: If we perform a good deed and no one notices it, or even if we are criticized, do we become upset or disheartened? One whose intention is pure is not deterred by criticism or being ignored, because their goal is not human beings. 5. Inner peace and spiritual contentment: Sincere actions bring a special tranquility and serenity to the heart. We feel that we have done something for Allah, and this connection with the Creator leads to genuine satisfaction and peace. 6. Striving to conceal the deed if possible: Although not all deeds can be hidden (like congregational prayer), in many cases, a sincere person prefers to keep their good deeds secret to protect themselves from the temptation of 'Riya' (showing off). In Surah Al-Baqarah, verse 264, the Quran strongly prohibits those who spend their wealth to be seen by people and do not believe in Allah and the Last Day, stating: "O you who have believed, do not invalidate your charities with reminders or injury like one who spends his wealth [only] to be seen by the people and does not believe in Allah and the Last Day..." This verse indicates that Riya renders deeds worthless and fruitless. To strengthen sincerity and ensure that our actions are faith-driven, we can take practical steps: * Pre-action contemplation: Before any act, ask ourselves: "What is my purpose in doing this? Is it for Allah or for people?" * During-action mindfulness: While performing the deed, whenever the temptation to show off arises, immediately remember Allah and rectify your intention. * Post-action self-accountability: After completing the act, ask yourself: "Did I maintain purity of intention in this action?" If there was any shortcoming, seek Allah's forgiveness. * Supplication (Du'a) and seeking Allah's help: Constantly ask Allah to purify our intentions and protect us from Riya and subtle shirk. The supplication "Allahumma ij'al amali kullahu salihan, wajalhu li-wajhika khalisun, wa la taj'al li-ahadin fihi shay'a" (O Allah, make all my deeds righteous, and make them purely for Your Face, and do not let anyone have a share in them) is very helpful. * Studying the lives of great figures: By studying the lives of prophets and divine saints, who were exemplary models of sincerity, we can find inspiration and guidance. Ultimately, sincerity is a continuous process and an internal struggle. It is not a fixed destination but a perpetual journey of purifying the heart from all impurities. Through practice, self-awareness, and seeking assistance from Allah, we can ensure that our good deeds truly stem from our faith in the most authentic way, and be confident that these actions will be accepted and fruitful in the sight of Allah.