Transliteration:( Illab tighaaa'a wajhi rabbihil a 'laa )
This verse emphasizes that the true motivation behind acts of goodness and charity, such as the freeing of Hazrat Bilal (RA) by Hazrat Abu Bakr Siddique (RA), should be solely to seek the pleasure of Allah. Hazrat Abu Bakr (RA) did not perform this act to gain any worldly reward or recognition; rather, his intent was purely to please Allah, the Most High. This establishes the importance of sincerity and purity of intention in all acts of worship and goodness.
1. The Sublime Status of Hazrat Abu Bakr Siddique:
One of the key lessons from this verse is the exalted position of Hazrat Abu Bakr Siddique (RA), who is affirmed by Allah as being sincere in his actions and intentions. His deed of freeing Hazrat Bilal (RA) is a clear example of the purity of intention for Allah’s pleasure, which Allah Himself acknowledges. The verse highlights the noble character and high moral standing of Hazrat Abu Bakr (RA), setting a standard for others to follow in their pursuit of righteousness and sincerity.
2. Good Deeds Should Be Done for the Pleasure of Allah, Not for Paradise or Avoiding Hell:
The verse underscores a critical teaching: while Paradise and the avoidance of Hell are important goals, the primary aim of a true believer’s actions should be to please Allah Almighty. Good deeds should not be performed with a transactional mindset—seeking rewards or fearing punishments—but rather out of love and reverence for Allah. Once Allah is pleased with His servant, the ultimate reward (Paradise) is guaranteed. This mindset elevates the quality of one’s deeds and aligns them with a higher spiritual purpose.
3. The Effort to Seek the Pleasure of Allah Should Be Greater Than the Effort to Seek Sustenance:
This verse also teaches a valuable lesson about priorities. Just as one makes considerable efforts to seek sustenance for survival, a believer should exert even greater effort in seeking the pleasure of Allah. While sustenance has its doors—like work, trade, and other means—the doors to Allah’s pleasure are also diverse and require seeking through prayer, charity, kindness, and sincerity. A believer must strive to keep seeking Allah’s pleasure above all else, knowing that this is the key to success in both this world and the Hereafter.
The tafsir of Surah Al-Lail verse 20 by Ibn Kathir is unavailable here.
Please refer to Surah Al-Lail ayat 12 which provides the complete commentary from verse 12 through 21.
(92:20) but only to seek the good pleasure of his Lord Most High.[10]
10. This is further explanation of the sincerity of the pious man. He was not indebted in any way to the people on whom he spends his wealth so that he may be doing so in order to repay for favors received, or may be giving gifts and holding banquets to them in order to further benefit from them, but he is helping such people only in order to seek the goodwill of his Lord, the Supreme. He was neither indebted to them before, nor he expects any favors from them in the future. Its best illustration is the act of Abu Bakr Siddiq, he would purchase and set free the poor slaves and slaves-girls who accepted Islam in Makkah and were cruelly treated by their masters on that account. Ibn Jarir and Ibn Asakir have related, on the authority of Amir bin Abdullah bin Zubair, that when Abu Bakr’s father saw him spending money to purchase the freedom of the poor slaves and slave-girls, he said to him: Son, I see that you are getting the weak people free; had you spent this money on the freedom of strong, young men, they would have become your helpers and supporters. Abu Bakr replied: Dear father, I only seek the reward that is with Allah.
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