Qatādah said concerning “with firm conviction in their hearts”: “Seeking reward in their hearts.” Al-Shaʿbī said: “With certainty and belief in their hearts.” Al-Kalbī said likewise.

It has been said: They give charity willingly, certain of the reward and believing Allah’s promise. They know that what they have given is better for them than what they have kept.

I say: If the giver seeks reward from Allah and believes His promise to him, he seeks from Allah, not from the recipient, and therefore does not remind the recipient of his favour. This is like a man saying to another, “Give your slaves this food, and I will pay you its price”: the latter would not remind the slaves of his favour. This is especially so when the giver knows that Allah has favoured him by enabling him to give.

Section

The Sixth Distinction

The sins of commission with which a servant is afflicted—even though they are created by Allah—are a punishment for his failure to do what Allah created him for and innately disposed him toward. Allah created him only to worship Him alone, without partner, and guided him to the natural disposition. As the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said:

“Every child is born upon the natural disposition.”

And the Most High said:

“So set your face toward the religion, inclining to truth—the natural disposition upon which Allah created mankind. There is no altering Allah’s creation. That is the upright religion, but most people do not know.”