Surah Al-Insan 76:9
سُورَةُ الإِنسَانِ · Medinan · Verse 9 of 31
إِنَّمَا نُطْعِمُكُمْ لِوَجْهِ ٱللَّهِ لَا نُرِيدُ مِنكُمْ جَزَآءًۭ وَلَا شُكُورًا
Translation
saying, ‘We feed you for the sake of God alone: We seek neither recompense nor thanks from you.
English translation: M.A.S. Abdel Haleem.
Meaning and reflection
Wording
Maani AI invites you to reflect on Surah 76, verse 9, a profound statement of sincerity from the righteous. These words are spoken by Allah's devout servants (the *Abrar*) to those they feed, the poor, the orphan, and the captive. It is a declaration of their pure intention, revealing the deep devotion that drives their acts of charity.
The Exclusivity of Intention
The verse begins with إِنَّمَا نُطْعِمُكُمْ لِوَجْهِ ٱللَّهِ (Indeed, we feed you for the Face of Allah). The Arabic particle إنما (innama) is a powerful word that creates a sense of exclusivity, meaning "only" or "solely." As scholars like Ibn Ashur point out, it restricts the purpose of their giving to one single goal. It's as if they are correcting a common assumption, saying, "We only have this one reason." The phrase لِوَجْهِ ٱللَّهِ (li-wajhi Allah) signifies "for the sake of Allah" or "seeking Allah's pleasure and reward," as al-Jalalayn and al-Razi explain. The entire clause underscores that their benevolence is directed solely towards God, with no other motivations clouding their actions.
Desiring No Earthly Return
Following this, the verse powerfully declares: لَا نُرِيدُ مِنكُمْ جَزَآءًۭ وَلَا شُكُورًا (We do not desire from you any recompense or thanks). The repetition of لا (la), meaning "no" or "not," emphasizes the complete absence of any ulterior motive. They seek no جزاءً (jazaa'), no material "recompense" or "return" for their generosity, such as service or assistance, as Ibn Ashur clarifies. Nor do they seek شكورًا (shukooran), which means "thanks" or "praise." The righteous do not wish to be acknowledged for their kindness or to have their good deeds mentioned. This explicit negation leaves no room for doubt about their selfless nature.
An Inner Truth or Spoken Words?
An interesting point of reflection, discussed by scholars like al-Zamakhshari and al-Razi, is whether these words were actually spoken by the righteous or if they represent an inner state of certainty that Allah revealed. While they might have spoken these words to comfort the recipients, or to teach others about sincere giving, the deeper meaning is that Allah Himself bears witness to the purity of their intentions, even if unspoken. This highlights that true sincerity is known to Allah, whether articulated or hidden in the heart.
The precise wording of this ayah paints a vivid picture of individuals whose hearts are entirely devoted to Allah. Their generosity flows from a deep fear of the Day of Judgment (mentioned in the following verse) and an unwavering desire for their Lord's pleasure, utterly devoid of any craving for human praise or reward. This purity of intention elevates their simple act of feeding the needy into a profound act of worship.
Sources: al-Zamakhshari (al-Kashshaf), al-Jalalayn, Ibn Ashur (al-Tahrir wa al-Tanwir), al-Jadwal fi I'rab al-Quran (Mahmud Safi), al-Razi (Mafatih al-Ghayb)
Wisdom
Surah 76, verse 9, speaks about the blessed individuals, known as "al-Abrar" or the righteous, who will receive abundant rewards in Paradise. This particular verse unveils a profound secret of their success: their pure intention behind their good deeds. It's not a verbal declaration they make to others, but a deeply held conviction in their hearts.
The Heart's True Aim
The verse states, "إِنَّمَا نُطْعِمُكُمْ لِوَجْهِ ٱللَّهِ" which means, "We feed you only for the sake of Allah." This isn't just about giving food; it's about the purpose behind the giving. The scholars explain that "لِوَجْهِ ٱللَّهِ" (for the Face of Allah) signifies seeking Allah's pleasure and reward alone. As Imam al-Saadi notes, the righteous intend with their giving "وجه الله تعالى," meaning they aim solely for His acceptance. It's a statement of sincere devotion, where the ultimate recipient and judge of the deed is Allah Himself. Ibn al-Jawzi beautifully clarifies that while these words are mentioned in the Quran, these righteous people may not have spoken them aloud. Instead, Allah knew what was in their hearts and praised them for it, so we may aspire to the same.
Beyond Human Recognition
The verse continues, "لَا نُرِيدُ مِنكُمْ جَزَاءًۭ وَلَا شُكُورًا" which translates to, "We do not want from you any recompense or gratitude." This part emphasizes their complete detachment from worldly acknowledgement. They aren't looking for a return favor, a financial repayment (جَزَاءً), or even a verbal thank you (شُكُورًا). Mufti Shafi' highlights that they give food even though they themselves "love it and desire it," not just giving leftovers. This act of sacrifice, combined with seeking no human recognition, is a hallmark of true sincerity. As al-Munir points out, this purity of intention, known as *ikhlas* in Arabic, is essential for any act of obedience to be complete.
A Guiding Principle for Life
The general lesson from this verse transcends the act of feeding the poor. It offers a universal principle for all our good deeds: sincerity to Allah alone. Whether we are helping a family member, volunteering in our community, or performing acts of worship like prayer or fasting, the core principle remains the same. Our motivation should be to please Allah, not to gain praise, status, or even a simple thank you from people. This verse reminds us that the true value of our actions lies not in their outward appearance or human reception, but in the unseen intention in our hearts, which only Allah can truly know and reward.
Living with This Wisdom
This verse prompts deep self-reflection. Before undertaking any good deed, we can pause and sincerely ask ourselves, "Am I doing this purely for Allah's sake?" If we find ourselves seeking human approval or feeling disappointed by a lack of appreciation, it's an invitation to purify our intention. The righteous described here were also motivated by "إِنَّا نَخَافُ مِنْ رَبِّنَا يَوْمًا عَبُوسًا قَمْطَرِيرًا" (We fear from our Lord a Day, frowning and distressful), connecting their pure intention with a conscious awareness of the Day of Judgment. This fosters hope for Allah's reward and a healthy fear of His displeasure, moving us away from relying on fickle human praise. We can make a conscious effort to dedicate our actions to Allah and seek His pleasure, knowing that true recompense and appreciation come only from Him.
Source: al-Muyassar, Ma'arif al-Quran (Mufti Shafi), al-Saadi (Taysir al-Karim), Ibn al-Jawzi (Zad al-Masir), al-Munir (Wahba al-Zuhayli)
Sources: Ma'arif al-Quran (Mufti Shafi), al-Saadi (Taysir al-Karim), Ibn al-Jawzi (Zad al-Masir), al-Munir (Wahba al-Zuhayli)
Topics that discuss this verse
Surah Al-Insan 76:9 is discussed in 13 study guides on Maani. Each guide gathers the key verses, Arabic words and lessons of one Quranic topic.
Reflect on this verse
Open Surah Al-Insan 76:9 in Maani to reflect on it through the Five Lenses: its wording, its context, what it means for you, its connections across the Quran and its lessons, grounded in classical tafsir.