✍ Written by: Hafiz Muti'ullah
The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: "Indeed, Allah does not look at your bodies nor at your appearances, but He looks at your hearts."
(Narrated by Muslim)
The following narration in Sahih Muslim adds:
"Indeed, Allah does not look at your appearances and your wealth, but He looks at your hearts and your deeds."
It would have been preferable if Imam Nawawi (رحمه الله) had cited this second narration as well, so that no one could be misled by the first narration — which does not mention "your deeds" — into thinking that faith is restricted only to the heart.
➋ The first priority is the rectification of the heart, because the other organs follow the heart in matters of obedience and disobedience. If the heart is sound, the entire body becomes sound; if the heart is corrupt, the body becomes corrupt as well.
➌ A person is accountable for their intentions and deeds. Therefore, continuous effort should be made to rectify both, seeking guidance from Allah Almighty and following the authentic Sunnah of the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ).
Hadith Authentication References:
Evidence from Hadith
❀ Narrated by Abu Hurairah Abdur Rahman bin Sakhr (رضي الله عنه):The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: "Indeed, Allah does not look at your bodies nor at your appearances, but He looks at your hearts."
(Narrated by Muslim)
Authentication of the Hadith
- Narrated by: Muslim (2564, 33)
The following narration in Sahih Muslim adds:
"Indeed, Allah does not look at your appearances and your wealth, but He looks at your hearts and your deeds."
It would have been preferable if Imam Nawawi (رحمه الله) had cited this second narration as well, so that no one could be misled by the first narration — which does not mention "your deeds" — into thinking that faith is restricted only to the heart.
Explanation of Vocabulary
- لا ينظر إلى أجسامكم ولا إلى صوركم:
"He does not look at your bodies nor at your appearances."
Meaning, Allah does not reward or punish based on the physical forms, because reward and punishment are based on the essence of a person and the deeds related to that essence. Physical traits beyond human control — such as skin color or height — are not the criteria for reward or punishment.
Fiqh (Understanding) of the Hadith
➊ Only those deeds earn reward which are performed with sincerity (Ikhlas) and good intention.➋ The first priority is the rectification of the heart, because the other organs follow the heart in matters of obedience and disobedience. If the heart is sound, the entire body becomes sound; if the heart is corrupt, the body becomes corrupt as well.
➌ A person is accountable for their intentions and deeds. Therefore, continuous effort should be made to rectify both, seeking guidance from Allah Almighty and following the authentic Sunnah of the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ).
Additional Reflection
This Hadith highlights the critical importance of inner sincerity over external appearances. Actions should be rooted in pure intentions for the sake of Allah alone, without any worldly motives like showing off or seeking approval from people.Hadith Authentication References:
- Sahih Muslim 2564, 33
