Is Expecting a Reward from God Selfishness?

Is expecting a reward from God selfishness? This is a profound and significant question that delves into the very nature of humanity's relationship with the Divine and the meaning of righteous deeds. The clear and definitive answer, based on the teachings of the Holy Quran and the Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), is that expecting a reward from God is not only not selfishness, but it is an integral part of faith, a divine encouragement for performing good deeds, and a sign of trust in the promises of the Almighty. Selfishness implies prioritizing one's own interests above all else, even at the expense of others' rights or obedience to God. However, expecting a reward from the Creator of the universe, who Himself has promised it, falls within the framework of a relationship of servitude and submission. The Holy Quran, in numerous verses and through various expressions, explicitly speaks of immense and boundless divine rewards for believers and those who do good deeds. These rewards include peace of mind in this world, material and spiritual blessings, and ultimately, eternal life in Paradise. Allah Almighty repeatedly encourages believers to perform actions that result in specific rewards. For instance, in Surah An-Nisa, verse 124, He says: “And whoever does righteous deeds, whether male or female, while being a believer - those will enter Paradise, and will not be wronged, [even by so much as] the speck on a date seed.” This verse clearly states that the reward (entering Paradise) is the outcome of righteous deeds accompanied by faith. If a person believes in this promise and performs good deeds hoping to attain it, are they being selfish? No, rather, this is the essence of faith and adherence to divine commands. God has embedded this expectation within human nature to serve as a motivation for moving towards goodness and righteousness. The key point here is “intention” (niyyah). In Islam, the value of every action is determined by its intention. If a person performs an act merely for show (riya) or to achieve trivial worldly benefits, with the sole aim of gaining people's approval or acquiring fame and wealth, then not only will they not receive any otherworldly reward, but their action might even be rendered void. However, if the primary intention is to seek God's pleasure and obey His commands, and alongside that, there is hope for divine rewards, this is not only not blameworthy but is a sign of complete faith. Surah Al-Baqarah, verse 272, states: “…And whatever you spend of good is for yourselves. And you do not spend except seeking the countenance of Allah. And whatever you spend of good will be fully repaid to you, and you will not be wronged.” This verse shows that the main goal is “seeking the countenance of Allah,” but the result is the return of good to oneself, which is the divine reward. These two (seeking pleasure and receiving reward) are not in conflict; rather, they complement each other. Furthermore, in many verses, such as Surah Al-Kahf, verse 30: “Indeed, those who have believed and done righteous deeds - indeed, We will not allow to be lost the reward of any who did well in deeds,” Allah explicitly guarantees that He will not let the deeds of the righteous go unrewarded. These promises not only permit humans to expect a reward but also encourage them to do so. Imagine if there were no rewards; what motivation would there be for striving in the way of God, abandoning sins, making sacrifices, enduring hardships, and performing arduous acts of worship? The divine system of reward and punishment itself is a sign of God's wisdom and justice, which aligns with human nature. Humans inherently desire to see the results of their actions and expect encouragement for good work. This expectation, when directed towards God, is logical and appropriate due to His grandeur, absolute knowledge, and infinite power. Some might argue that actions should be performed purely and solely for God, with no expectation of reward. This statement, from the perspective of “pure sincerity” (ikhlas), is true and represents the highest degree of servitude; that a person worships God simply for His sake, neither for Paradise nor out of fear of Hell. This is the station of “worship of the free” (Ibadat al-Ahrar), as alluded to in Islamic narrations. However, this does not mean that expecting a reward is selfishness. Rather, this station is an exceptional and exalted one that is not attainable for all people, and God, in His wisdom, has promised rewards for the majority of people who need incentives such as hope for Paradise and fear of Hell. Even in the station of “worship of the free,” the individual receives their reward, but their intention at the moment of the action was purely to seek God's pleasure. The reward in this case is a manifestation of divine grace and generosity, not merely an entitlement. In reality, this expectation of reward is a lesson in divine wisdom. By promising rewards, God not only guides us towards goodness but also assures us that no good deed, no matter how small, will be lost in His sight, and whatever we spend or do in His way will be returned to us in the best possible manner. This trust in divine promises is itself a great act of worship and a sign of reliance on God (Tawakkul). Therefore, expecting a reward from God is not selfishness; rather, it is a manifestation of faith, reliance, and a correct understanding of the divine system of justice and grace, which motivates humans to walk on the path of goodness and prosperity, and to be hopeful for the boundless grace and mercy of the Almighty. This expectation stems not from blind greed, but from knowledge of a Lord who is Most Generous and Most Merciful and who never lets the reward of those who do good go to waste.