Surah An-Najm
Chapter 53 · Verse 40 · Revealed in Makkah
“And that his effort is going to be seen -”
Translation: Saheeh International
Listen to recitation
Mishary Rashid Alafasy
Reflection — Ibn Kathir
Chastising Those Who disobey Allah and stop giving Charity
Allah the Exalted chastises those who turn away from His obedience,
فَلاَ صَدَّقَ وَلاَ صَلَّى - وَلَـكِن كَذَّبَ وَتَوَلَّى
Reflection — Maarif ul Quran
وَأَنَّ سَعْيَهُ سَوْفَ يُرَىٰ (and that his effort will soon be seen...53:40) In other words, outer actions of a person are not sufficient. Allah will take into account the real, inner motive and driving force behind them whether they were performed with the sincerity of purpose, or they were done with some ulterior motive. The Holy Prophet t is reported to have said:
اِنَّمَا الاَعمَال بِالنِّیَّاتِ
What does this verse bring up for you today?