When we think about worship, our minds usually go straight to the big acts: prayer, fasting, zakat, Hajj. But Islam teaches us that some of the most beloved actions to Allah are those small, hidden deeds done quietly, without praise, purely for His sake. These hidden acts carry a special weight because they are often the most sincere. They reflect a heart that seeks Allah’s approval above all else, not fame, not recognition, not the applause of people. In a world that encourages showing off, hidden worship keeps our intentions pure, and reminds us that Allah sees what no one else does. Here are five acts that are easy to overlook but deeply loved by Allah.

1. Forgiving Others in Secret

One of the hardest things for the soul is to forgive, especially when the hurt runs deep. Yet Allah commands us, “Let them pardon and overlook. Would you not love for Allah to forgive you?” (Qur’an 24:22). Quietly forgiving someone, without telling them or using it against them, is an act of worship that not only brings peace to your heart, but opens the door to Allah’s mercy upon you. Forgiving for the sake of Allah, without seeking recognition, is a hidden jewel in your scale of good deeds.

2. Making Dua for Someone in Their Absence

The Prophet ﷺ said, “The supplication of a Muslim for his brother in his absence will certainly be answered.” (Muslim). Imagine making a sincere dua for your friend, your parents, even a stranger and the angels responding, “Ameen, and for you the same.” This quiet habit trains the heart to love others selflessly and invites mercy back upon you from the heavens.

3. Concealing the Faults of Others

In an age where exposing people’s mistakes is common, Islam teaches the exact opposite. The Prophet ﷺ said, “Whoever conceals (the faults of) a Muslim, Allah will conceal him in this world and the Hereafter.” (Muslim). Protecting someone’s dignity without gossip, judgment, or public humiliation is a powerful form of worship. It reflects the mercy we hope to receive from Allah on the Day when all secrets are laid bare.

4. Silent Charity

Allah says, “If you disclose your charitable expenditures, they are good; but if you conceal them and give them to the poor, it is better for you.” (Qur’an 2:271). Giving charity in secret removes the danger of showing off (riyaa) and keeps the heart pure. Whether it’s money, a kind act, or help that no one knows about, silent charity is an act that Allah Himself promises to reward beyond measure.

5. Private Tears in the Night

Among the seven groups shaded on the Day of Judgment is, “…a person who remembers Allah in solitude and his eyes well up with tears.” (Bukhari & Muslim). These are tears not for people to see, not for validation, but purely out of love, fear, and longing for Allah. When your heart trembles in the quiet of the night, know that you are closer to Allah than at almost any other time.

In the end, the true value of a deed is not in how big it looks, but in how pure it is.
Small hidden deeds, done sincerely, can carry a person to heights they never imagined. In a world that craves attention, be someone whose secret moments with Allah are more beautiful than anything public.

Every great tree starts from a seed buried deep in the soil, unseen by the world. Our hidden acts are those seeds. We may not see them sprout today, but Allah, Al-Lateef (the Subtle), is nurturing them with His mercy. On the Day when nothing will matter except what was done sincerely for Him, those quiet tears, those unseen prayers, and those hidden moments of kindness will shine brighter than any worldly achievement. So keep planting seeds. Keep doing the unseen good. Keep building a private relationship with Allah that no one knows about but Him because when the earth fades away and the people move on, it is only Allah who will remember every small deed you did in love for Him.

By Sh. Hassan Natour