As for a deed’s reward being multiplied beyond that tenfold baseline, this occurs for a variety of reasons—some related to the person performing it, others to the deed itself and its special merit, to its outcomes and fruits, or to the time and place in which it is done:

• The greatest factor in multiplying reward is that the servant realizes pure sincerity toward the One worshipped and full adherence to the Messenger. The extent to which deeds are multiplied corresponds to the strength of sincerity and faith that dwell in the doer’s heart.

• A further cause is when the deed springs from a sound, unadulterated creed in the way of the early generation, taken directly from the Quran and Sunnah. In such a case, a small act from that servant is more blessed than many acts performed by someone who lacks that foundation.

• Also included is forsaking the immoral desires that the soul longs for, despite a strong inclination toward them, out of proof of one’s faith, reliance on Allah, and sincerity.

• Among the reasons for multiplication is that the deed brings benefit and relief to the Muslims, such as striving in Allah’s cause—jihad with proof and argument and jihad with sword and spear. Concerning the expenditures of people engaged in this, Allah says: “The example of those who spend their wealth in the way of Allah is like a grain that sprouts seven ears; in every ear are a hundred grains. Allah multiplies for whom He wills, and Allah is all-encompassing, all-knowing” (Al-Baqarah 2:261).
Included here is following the path of teaching and learning the sacred sciences and whatever assists them, for the hadith states, “Whoever treads a path seeking knowledge, Allah will make a path to Paradise easy for him.” (1)

• Likewise, engaging in and striving for charitable projects from which Muslims benefit in their religious and worldly affairs, and whose benefit continues to flow, is a cause for multiplied reward.