as people understand it is the truth, though that is not what he intended. For it may be said to you:

Recompense, as understood in Islamic law, language, custom, and reason, is what one party to an exchange gives the other in return for what the other has given him—for example, the price of an item sold, a worker’s wages, a return gift, repayment for a favor, and the like. Undoubtedly, someone who gives another a gift so that its recipient will give him something in return is seeking recompense, not being generous. Accordingly, jurists distinguish between contracts of exchange and gratuitous transfers along these lines.

Hence those sincere in their devotion said:

“We feed you only for Allah’s sake; we desire neither recompense nor thanks from you (9).” [al-Insān: 9]

They thus stated that they desired neither recompense nor thanks from the recipients of their kindness. They did not say, “We desire this from no one, neither Allah nor anyone else,” for that would be either impossible or foolish. Thus, those who truly practice sincerity seek neither prayers on their behalf, nor praise, nor anything else from the recipients of their kindness, for that would be seeking recompense from them. Supplication is a form of requital for kindness and wrongdoing alike, as stated in the hadith:

“Whoever has done you