To work for God's pleasure, we must have sincere intentions and rely on Him.
To work for the pleasure of God and to distance ourselves from seeking the encouragement of others, we must maintain the right intention. In the Holy Quran, Allah states in Surah Yunus, verse 108: 'Say, O disbelievers, I do not worship what you worship,' reminding us that our purpose should be the sincere worship of God rather than seeking approval from others. When our actions stem from a pure, divine intention, it leads to feelings of peace and security. One way to achieve God's satisfaction is through prayer and supplication to strengthen our faith and cultivate the right intentions. Also, in Surah Al-Baqarah, verse 261, Allah highlights the importance of faith and good deeds: 'The example of those who spend their wealth in the way of Allah is like a seed that sprouts seven ears,' teaching us that acting with a sincere intention in His path will bring blessings and rewards. Thus, to ensure our actions align with pleasing God, we must always prioritize Him and continually seek His assistance in all our endeavors. In this way, through God's promises and our pure intentions, we can focus on our work and act solely for His pleasure.
Say, O disbelievers!
The example of those who spend their wealth in the way of Allah is like a seed that sprouts seven ears.
A tale from Saadi: One day, a man named Ali was striving to do good deeds. However, he always worried about what people thought of him. One day he went to the market and met a religious scholar. The scholar said to him: 'O Ali, the best deed is one done solely for God, not for people.' This statement prompted Ali to reflect, and from that day on, he decided to act only for God's pleasure. He helped people on the streets and even avoided seeking encouragement from others. Ali found peace and felt that his actions had more meaning than ever before.