Do not consider what you do as favors!
Allah Almighty praises Himself by the favors He bestows upon His servants. Yet, He dispraises those who consider themselves to be conferring favors upon Allah or people on account of their charitable spending or pious acts. In the Qur’an, Allah Almighty says:
{They think that they have done you a favor by embracing Islam. Say, “Do not consider your Islam as a favor to me. Rather, it is Allah Who has done you a favor by guiding you to faith , if you are truthful.}
[Surat al - Hujurāt: 17]
Our Lord warns us not to remind others of our favors because this renders our charities worthless:
{O you who believe, do not nullify your charities with reminders and hurtful words...}
[Surat al - Baqarah: 264]
The Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) also warned us against reminding others of our favors. He said:
“There are three to whom Allah will not speak on the Day of Judgment: the bestower of favors who does not give anything without reminding others of his favors, the seller of goods who sells them by taking a false oath, and one who lets his lower garment hang low.”
[Narrated by Muslim]
In another Hadīth, the Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) is authentically reported to have said:
“He who reminds others of his favors, he who is undutiful to his parents, and he who is a drunkard will not enter Paradise.”
[Narrated by Al - Nasā’i; Sahīh (authentic)]
{They think that they have done you a favor by embracing Islam. Say, “Do not consider your Islam as a favor to me. Rather, it is Allah Who has done you a favor by guiding you to faith, if you are truthful.}
[Surat al - Hujurāt: 17]
Our Lord warns us not to remind others of our favors because this renders our charities worthless:
{O you who believe, do not nullify your charities with reminders and hurtful words...}
[Surat al - Baqarah: 264]
The Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) also warned us against reminding others of our favors. He said:
“There are three to whom Allah will not speak on the Day of Judgment: the bestower of favors who does not give anything without reminding others of his favors, the seller of goods who sells them by taking a false oath, and one who lets his lower garment hang low.”
[Narrated by Muslim]
In another Hadīth, the Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) is authentically reported to have said:
“He who reminds others of his favors, he who is undutiful to his parents, and he who is a drunkard will not enter Paradise.”
[Narrated by Al - Na sā’i; Sahīh (aut hentic)]
Do not spoil your favors by reminding others of them. Indeed, the generous one does not remind others of his generosity.
Hence, righteous people used to advise one another saying: If you give something to someone and then perceive that your greeting embarrasses him, refrain from greeting him.
When magnanimous people do someone a favor, they subsequently forget them, and when anyone does them a favor, they never forget it.
Generosity is never kept unknown wherever it happens, neither are the generous wherever they are.
O Allah, the Bestower of Favors, bestow upon us the favor of reforming our affairs and children and giving us a good end in this life.
