The Evil of Reminding Others of Good We’ve Done for Them

Imām Ibn Taimiyyah, may Allāh have mercy on him, said:

There are among people those who do good to another, [only] to remind him [later] of the favor done; or to have that good treatment come back to them by way of getting [that person] to do what they want of him; or by getting him to treat them with great respect; or [by getting] some other benefit; [one] might remind him of the favor done, saying, “I did such-and-such [for] you.”

This [type of person] has not worshiped Allāh [by doing this good thing for someone else], nor has he sought support from Him; he has not done an action for Allāh, nor has he done an action with Allāh’s [support]: he is someone who wants to be seen [and praised by others]. And Allāh has made invalid the charity of those who remind others of their favors and of those who do [good] things for others to see that [and praise them for it].

Majmūʿ Al-Fatāwá, vol. 14, p. 330.