How to Maintain Pure Intention When Praised?

Maintaining pure intention (ikhlas) when faced with praise and admiration from people is one of the greatest spiritual tests and challenges for any individual, especially for believers who strive to perform their deeds solely for the pleasure of Allah. The Holy Quran guides us towards sincerity in all our actions and acts of worship, and it warns us against showing off (riya') and self-admiration ('ujb). When a person receives praise, this admiration can act like a double-edged sword; on one hand, it might lead the individual to arrogance and self-conceit, thereby corrupting their intention. On the other hand, if managed correctly, it can be an opportunity for increased gratitude and reaffirming the intention for Allah. So, how can we keep our intention pure when our hearts are exposed to the breeze of praise and compliments? The foundation of this matter lies in a deep understanding that every good quality, ability, success, or perfection that exists within us or emanates from us is solely from Allah Almighty. As we read in the Holy Quran (Surah An-Nahl, verse 53): "And whatever you have of favor - it is from Allah." Therefore, when we are praised, this praise is actually not for ourselves, but for the blessing that Allah has bestowed upon us, making us a vessel for its manifestation. In such a moment, the first thing a believer should do is to redirect this praise back to its original source, which is Allah. Uttering "Alhamdulillah" (all praise is due to Allah) and remembering that these abilities and opportunities are all from His grace is the first step in countering the temptation of pride. The Holy Quran invites us to sincerity in worship and deeds. In Surah Al-Bayyinah, verse 5, Allah says: "And they were not commanded except to worship Allah, [being] sincere to Him in religion, inclining to truth, and to establish prayer and to give zakah. And that is the correct religion." This verse clearly shows that the central pillar of religion is sincerity of intention towards Allah. When people praise us, Shaytan (Satan) tempts us to enjoy this praise and attribute it to ourselves, which is precisely the point where our intention is jeopardized. We must immediately review our intention and remind ourselves that our primary goal in performing that act was solely to please Allah, not to gain praise from people. Another strategy is to practice humility (tawadu'). Pride and arrogance are like deadly poisons for sincerity. In the Holy Quran, the story of Qarun (Surah Al-Qasas, verses 76-82) is a prominent example of the consequences of arrogance and attributing success to oneself. Qarun, instead of being grateful, attributed his immense wealth to his own knowledge and ability, and for this reason, he met a bitter end. This story teaches us never to let success and praise make us forget Allah and lead us to self-importance. We must remember that we are all servants in need of Allah and have no power except through Him. When we are praised, we can reflect on our weaknesses and shortcomings, or consider that without Allah's grace, we could never have performed that deed. This contemplation helps maintain humility. Furthermore, supplicating to Allah and seeking refuge from riya' (showing off) and 'ujb (self-admiration) is highly effective. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) always referred to riya' as "shirk khafi" (hidden polytheism) and prayed to Allah to protect his community from it. When we feel that praise is affecting our intention, we must quickly seek refuge in Allah and ask Him to cleanse our hearts from any impurity and keep our intentions pure. This is a continuous struggle that requires constant vigilance and care. Allah is aware of what is in the breasts (Surah Al-Mulk, verse 13: "And conceal your speech or publicize it; indeed, He is Knowing of that within the breasts"), and only He knows the true intentions. Additionally, we should make gratitude (shukr) a habit. True gratitude is not only expressed verbally but also includes heartfelt and practical appreciation for Allah's blessings. When we are praised for something we have done, it is an opportunity to be even more grateful to Allah for granting us the ability and the opportunity. Gratitude shifts our focus from ourselves to the Giver of blessings. In Surah Ibrahim, verse 7, Allah says: "If you are grateful, I will surely increase you [in favor]; but if you deny, indeed, My punishment is severe." Gratitude not only purifies intention but also leads to an increase in divine blessings. Ultimately, we must remember that the true reward for any action is Allah's pleasure and recompense, not fleeting worldly praise. Focusing on the Hereafter and its rewards helps us stay safe from falling into the trap of worldly adulation. If our action is merely to gain people's attention, it loses its eternal value. But if it is sincerely for Allah, whether people know it or not, its reward is preserved. Therefore, upon receiving praise, we should, with a humble heart and a grateful tongue, redirect it to Allah and keep our intention steadfast on His pleasure. This is a continuous struggle that requires constant remembrance and perseverance on the path of servitude. With this approach, praises will not only fail to harm our sincerity but can also become a means for greater spiritual growth and closeness to Allah.