Why do good deeds sometimes feel artificial?

Dear sister or brother, your question is profound and touches upon a spiritual concern shared by many sincere seekers of truth. The feeling of 'artificiality' in good deeds is a significant indicator of a core concept in Quranic teachings: sincerity (ikhlas) and pure intention. The Holy Quran repeatedly emphasizes the paramount importance of intention in deeds, stating that the value of any action is intrinsically tied to its purpose and motivation. When we perform a good deed, but feel it doesn't emanate from the depths of our being, or that it's merely a duty, or perhaps even for the admiration of others, this is precisely that feeling of artificiality. This phenomenon typically stems from a lack of sufficient sincerity or an intention tainted by ostentation (riya). In Islam, ikhlas means performing actions solely for the pleasure of Allah Almighty. When we act with sincerity, we do not expect any worldly reward, human praise, or even to attain a specific status. Our only aim should be to gain divine proximity and fulfill His command. The Quran beautifully articulates this concept in Surah Al-Bayyinah, verse 5: "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 zakat. And that is the correct religion." This verse illustrates that the backbone of religious practice is sincerity. Without sincerity, acts of worship and good deeds may have an outward form, but they become spiritually empty and ineffective. On the other hand, riya (showing off) is the opposite of sincerity. Riya means performing good deeds with the intention of being seen by people and gaining their praise and recognition. The Quran strongly condemns riya, considering it an ineffective and even destructive act. In Surah Al-Baqarah, verse 264, Allah provides a vivid parable, stating: "O you who have believed, do not invalidate your charities with reminders [of it] or [other] injury, like one who spends his wealth [only] to be seen by the people and does not believe in Allah and the Last Day. His example is like that of a smooth stone upon which is dust and then a torrential rain falls upon it, leaving it bare. They are unable to acquire anything of what they earned. And Allah does not guide the disbelieving people." This verse clearly shows that actions performed with a hypocritical intention, no matter how outwardly good, yield no real reward. They are like dust on a smooth stone, washed away by the first rain, leaving nothing behind. This is precisely the feeling of emptiness and artificiality you describe; an action that has failed to achieve its true purpose of gaining divine pleasure. Furthermore, in Surah An-Nisa, verse 38, Allah speaks about those who spend their wealth out of riya: "And [also] those who spend their wealth [only] to be seen by the people and do not believe in Allah nor in the Last Day. And whoever has Satan as an intimate companion – then how evil is he as a companion!" This verse highlights the connection between riya and satanic whispers. Satan attempts to divert our good deeds from their true path, directing them towards seeking human attention, which results in that feeling of ineffectiveness and artificiality. To overcome this feeling, one must strive to purify intentions. This is a greater jihad, an internal struggle against the self and satanic temptations. There are ways to strengthen sincerity: Firstly, always purify your intention for Allah Almighty before starting any good deed, and remind yourself of that intention throughout its performance. Secondly, try to perform some of your good deeds in secret, known only to Allah. This practice helps train the soul to seek true reward from the Creator, not from creation. Thirdly, focusing on the reward in the Hereafter and having firm conviction that everything done for Allah is preserved and lasting with Him helps to eradicate the desire for worldly praise. Fourthly, prayer and seeking forgiveness from Allah for purifying intentions and avoiding riya are highly effective. This feeling of artificiality is an alarm bell, a divine warning that guides you towards self-awareness and greater purification. With consistent practice and perseverance, you will find that your good deeds will no longer feel artificial; instead, they will become a source of profound peace, inner contentment, and a deeper connection with Allah. Ultimately, this feeling is not a sign of weak faith, but rather a sign of your spiritual awakening and self-awareness. You have recognized that something is lacking in your good deeds and are seeking their perfection. This path is the path of prophets and saints, who always strived to purify their intentions and actions. So, use this sign to purify your heart from any impurity through practice and reliance on Allah, moving towards absolute sincerity. This internal struggle will yield immense rewards and fill your actions with luminosity and truth.