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Allāh Accepts Only From the Pious

Shaykh al-Islām Ibn Taymiyyah

Insight into the manner in which the Muslim should adopt when performing good deeds — seeking sincerely to look at the face of his Creator.

Allāh—the Most High—says:

إِنَّمَا يَتَقَبَّلُ اللَّهُ مِنَ الْمُتَّقِينَ

“Indeed, Allāh only accepts from al-Muttaqīn (i.e., those who possess taqwá)”
(Al-Māʾidah, 5:27)

Imām Ibn Taymiyyah comments:

“Allāh only accepts actions that are accompanied by taqwá of Him [i.e., done for the purpose of seeking protection from His punishment by enacting His commands and abstaining from His prohibitions]. Righteous actions are those performed sincerely seeking to look at the face of Allāh, enacted in conformity with the Sunnah, as the Most High said:

فَمَن كَانَ يَرْجُو لِقَاءَ رَبِّهِ فَلْيَعْمَلْ عَمَلًا صَالِحًا وَلَا يُشْرِكْ بِعِبَادَةِ رَبِّهِ أَحَدًا

‘So whoever hopes for the meeting with his Lord, let him work righteousness and associate none as a partner in the worship of his Lord.’
(Al-Kahf, 18:110)

ʿUmar b. Al-Khaṭṭāb (رضي الله عنه) used to supplicate saying: ‘O’ Allāh! Render all my actions righteous. Allow me to perform them sincerely desiring only [to look at] Your face, and let none besides You receive even the slightest share in them.’”

Source: Majmūʿ al-Fatāwā 11: 662.
Translated by: Omar Ibn Bilal

Published: November 27, 2025
Edited: November 27, 2025

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