I was browsing through an old book of mine, and found this hadeeth (from Sahih Muslim):
Abu Hurairah reports that the Messenger of Allah PBUH said:
[The first hero]
Certainly, the first person who will be judged on the Day of Resurrection will be a Shaheed (matyr). He will be brought before Allah, Who will then list the favors which were bestowed upon him (in the world), and the Shaheed will recognize them. Then (Allah) will ask, "What did you do with them?"
He will reply, "I fought in Your cause and die as a Shaheed."
But Allah will say, "You're lying. You only fought so people would call you brave, and so they said it."
Then the command will be issued and he will be dragged on his face and thrown into hellfire.
[The second hero]
Then a person who acquired and taught knowledge and recited the Quran will be brought before Allah, Who will remind the person of the blessings (he received) and he will recognize them. Then Allah will ask, "What did you do with them?"
He will reply, "I acquired and taught knowledge and recited the Quran for Your sake."
But Allah will say, "You're lying. You acquired knowledge only so people would call you a scholar and you recited the Quran only so they would call you a reciter, and so you were."
Then the command will be issued and he will be dragged on his face and thrown into hellfire.
[The third hero]
Then a person whom Allah had made influential and who was given riches would be brought forward and informed about the favours he received, and he will recognize them. Then Allah will ask, "What did you do with them?"
He will reply, "I donated in every cause for You would have wanted me to."
Allah will say, "You're lying. You only donated so that people would call you generous, and so they said it."
Then the command will be issued and he will be dragged on his face and thrown into hellfire.
To sum it up all together, which of these heroes benefit from their efforts? Sure, they gain popularity and publicity in the Earth, but is it worth it? At the end of the day, although they seem to be doing good and noble acts, fighting for Islam, taught knowledge, recite the Quran, and donate to good causes, they fail to achieve happy ending in front of Allah.
Why so? Because the intentions of these men are not solely for Allah's sake. Hence, in spite of all their efforts and time, they are not rewarded in the next life.
Let us reflect back at our own life. We study, work all day, donate our time, money and efforts on good causes, but is it really for His sake? Or do we have, hidden deep inside, a hidden desire to become popular, rich or to show off? Let us check our intentions. Check our hearts. For our actions will be useless, unfortunately, had they not been for Allah alone. Sure, you might get good positions, be world-renown in this earth, but this world is a temporary abode, and the hereafter is forever. Never forget that vital fact.
"Verily the hereafter is better to you than the present." (ad-Dhuha:4)
Here's a du'a that we should recite often, as a safety measure to protect ourselves from misguided intentions..
The Prophet (peace be upon him) taught Abu Bakr a supplication by which we can ask Allah forgiveness when insincerity strikes us unawares. He instructed him to say: "O Allah! I seek refuge with you from associating partners with you knowingly and I seek your forgiveness for what I do unknowingly." [al-Bukhari]
What steps should you take in ensuring that your intentions remain pure? Do share! I'll write more regarding intentions in other posts, insyaALlah...
Source of Hadeeth: taken from What Islam is All About, by Yahya Emerick [original source: Sahih Muslim]
