Is it permissible to give charity daily with the intention of reward for the giver only, and is that considered selfishness? Is the reward for giving charity with the intention of benefiting Muslims in general equal to the reward for giving charity with a personal intention, or does the reward of the giver increase if he intends to benefit Muslims?
If you intend the reward of charity for yourself, it is attained, and there is no harm in it. If you intend it for Muslim men and women, its reward reaches them. Ibn Abidin stated in his commentary that it is preferable for a person giving voluntary charity to intend it for all believing men and women, and it reaches them without diminishing his own reward. Al-Kasani said that if someone fasts, prays, or gives charity and dedicates its reward to another, whether living or dead, it is permissible, and its reward reaches them according to the Ahlus-Sunnah wal-Jama'ah. However, Sheikh Al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah preferred that it is best for a Muslim to perform the act of worship directly and not dedicate its reward to himself or others, but rather suffice with supplication, as this was the practice of the righteous predecessors of the Ummah.
Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026
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