What is the ruling regarding a person's feeling that there is another intention, "such as showing off (riya') and hypocrisy (nifaq)," when performing righteous deeds, such as endearing oneself to the spouse's family, praying, speaking about religion, or maintaining kinship ties, and what does that cause in terms of frustration and a feeling that the deed is not accepted?

When beginning any righteous deed, you must have good intention and a sincere purpose, because sincerity is the basis for the acceptance of deeds. If you have a good intention and thoughts arise to spoil your intention, then know that this is an entry point for Satan to cut you off from the deed, and you must repel these thoughts, and then they will not harm you.

People's love for you or their praise of you does not affect sincerity as long as the original intention is to seek the Face of Allah the Almighty. Rather, it is a sign of good, for the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said about a man who performs a righteous deed and people praise him for it: "That is the glad tidings of the believer hastened."

Among the characteristics of believers is that they perform righteous deeds and fear that they will not be accepted from them. The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, was asked about the verse: "And those who give what they give while their hearts are trembling," and he said: "But they are those who fast, pray, and give charity, and they fear that it will not be accepted from them. Those are the ones who hasten to good deeds."

You have done well in continuing the work and not abandoning it because of these whispers.