Why Do Some Good Deeds Receive Negative Feedback?

Dear friends, it might have happened to many of us that with pure intentions and a heart full of goodness, we performed a good deed, only to be met with unexpected negative feedback, misunderstanding, envy, or even hostility. This experience can be disheartening, raising questions in our minds: Was what we did not truly good? Or was there perhaps something wrong with our intentions? To find answers to this profound question, we must turn to the infinite source of wisdom, the Holy Quran, and understand its divine perspective on this matter. The Holy Quran teaches us that the true measure of a deed's value is not the transient, fluctuating feedback of people, but rather the sincere intention and the pleasure of Allah Almighty. When an act is performed with sincerity and for the sole purpose of gaining divine pleasure, its reward is preserved and certain, even if it is met with unkindness, ingratitude, or sharp tongues from people in this world. In Surah Al-Bayyinah, verse 5, Allah Almighty says: "And they were not commanded except to worship Allah, [being] sincerely obedient to Him, inclining to truth, and to establish prayer and to give zakah. And that is the correct religion." This verse clearly indicates that the cornerstone of all acts of worship and righteous deeds is sincerity. If our intention is pure and our goal is only Allah, then external reactions become insignificant, because the real reward comes from the One who is aware of all intentions. One of the most important reasons highlighted by the Quran is the concept of 'Ibtila,' or divine trial. The life of this world is a testing ground for humanity. Allah tests His believing servants with hardships, challenges, and even negative encounters from others to strengthen their faith and patience. In Surah Al-Ankabut, verses 2 and 3, we read: "Do people think that they will be left to say, 'We believe' and they will not be tried? But We have certainly tried those before them, and Allah will surely make evident those who are truthful, and He will surely make evident the liars." Sometimes, these negative feedbacks are meant to temper us, purify our intentions, and eradicate our reliance on people's praise. This is a divine test that teaches us that the ultimate reward lies in Allah's pleasure, not in the commendation of creation. Beyond divine testing, the roots of negative feedback can also lie within human nature itself. The Quran points to various aspects of the human psyche that can lead to unpleasant reactions: **1. Envy (Hasad):** One of the most powerful emotions that can respond to goodness with ugliness is envy. When someone sees success, superiority, or even positive qualities in another, they might feel envy instead of joy. This envy can drive them to undermine, criticize, or even slander the benevolent individual. In Surah Al-Falaq, verse 5, we seek refuge in Allah from the evil of an envier when he envies: "And from the evil of an envier when he envies." This verse highlights the existence of this undesirable trait in some people and its destructive impact. **2. Ignorance and Misunderstanding:** Sometimes, people react negatively due to insufficient knowledge, misinterpretation of the individual's true intentions, or a poor understanding of the dimensions and consequences of an action. Ignorance can lead to hasty and incorrect judgments. **3. Personal Interests and Arrogance:** Many good deeds, especially those aimed at social justice, reform, or enlightenment, might threaten the interests of certain groups or individuals. Arrogant people or those whose interests are jeopardized might react with suspicion and hostility. The history of divine prophets is full of examples where prophets, despite calling to good and righteousness, faced the most severe opposition and accusations, because their message conflicted with the interests and ignorant customs of their time. **4. Spiritual Diseases and Malice:** Some individuals suffer from spiritual diseases such as arrogance, malice, hypocrisy, or disbelief. These diseases cause them to react negatively even to goodness. Satan also constantly strives to diminish good deeds or instill suspicion towards the virtuous in people's hearts through temptation and incitement. **Lessons from this Phenomenon:** * **Steadfastness on the Path of Truth:** The Quran advises us to be firm on the path of good and truth, and not to fear the blame of blamers. (Surah Al-Ma'idah, verse 54) * **Avoidance of Ostentation (Riya'):** If the purpose of performing a good deed is to gain people's admiration, negative feedback can be more painful. Sincerity protects our intentions from these harms. * **Reliance on Allah (Tawakkul):** The assurance that Allah is the best judge and sees and rewards our deeds as they truly are, brings peace of mind. * **Wisdom in Action:** Although the intention is pure, the manner of performing and presenting the action is also important to prevent misunderstandings as much as possible, without deviating from the principles of goodness. In conclusion, the Holy Quran teaches us that the true criterion for evaluating an action is the pleasure of Allah and sincerity in intention. Negative human feedback, whether due to envy, ignorance, or personal interests, should not discourage us from continuing on the path of goodness. These can be part of a divine test that refines our faith and leads us more towards reliance on the Lord. The important thing is to keep our hearts pure and act only for Him, for the true and eternal reward is only with Him, and this reward is never affected by the fluctuating opinions of people.