A mental state known as intention is when an agent decides to follow a certain path of action. An intention would be something like making plans to go to the zoo tomorrow. Since intentions are the foundation of actions and deeds, they are very important in Islam. On the other hand, different perspectives or hidden motives may cause some intents to be scrutinized or questioned.
According to the Quran:
In many of its verses, the Islamic holy book, the Qur'an, highlights the significance of purpose. The following passages from the Quran emphasize the importance of intentions:
Surah Al-Baqarah (2:265): "And the example of those who spend their wealth seeking means to the approval of Allah and assuring [reward for] themselves is like a garden on high ground which is hit by a downpour - so it yields its fruits in double. And even if it is not hit by a downpour, then a drizzle [is sufficient]. And Allah, of what you do, is Seeing."
Surah Al-Insan (76:8-9): "And they give food in spite of love for it to the needy, the orphan, and the captive, [saying], 'We feed you only for the countenance of Allah. We wish not from you reward or gratitude.'"
Surah Adh-Dhariyat (51:56): "And I did not create the jinn and mankind except to worship Me."
Surah Al-Mulk (67:2): "He who created death and life to test you [as to] which of you is best in deed - and He is the Exalted in Might, the Forgiving."
These verses emphasize the significance of acting and intending sincerly in order to please Allah, without looking to others for approval or reward. They stress that the sole goal of sincere worship and good conduct should be to seek Allah's pleasure. The relevance of genuine and pure intentions in all actions is emphasized throughout the Quran, since it views them as an essential component in the approval and reward of deeds.
According to Hadith:
The following are some statements made by Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) regarding our goals:
It was narrated from Hafsah that the Prophet said:
"Whoever does not have the intention of fasting from the night before, then there is no fast for him." (Daif)
Reference : Sunan an-Nasa'i 2334
In-book reference : Book 22, Hadith 245
English translation : Vol. 3, Book 22, Hadith 2336
It was narrated from Abu Hurairah that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said:
“People will be resurrected (and judged) according to their intentions.”
Reference : Sunan Ibn Majah 4229
In-book reference : Book 37, Hadith 130
English translation : Vol. 5, Book 37, Hadith 4229
It was narrated from Abu Hurairah that the Prophet (ﷺ) said:
“Whoever takes people's wealth with the intention of destroying it, Allah (SWT) will destroy him.”
Reference : Sunan Ibn Majah 2411
In-book reference : Book 15, Hadith 22
English translation : Vol. 3, Book 15, Hadith 2411
Narrated Abu Huraira:
The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "Whoever takes the money of the people with the intention of repaying it, Allah will repay it on his behalf, and whoever takes it in order to spoil it, then Allah will spoil him."
Reference : Sahih al-Bukhari 2387
In-book reference : Book 43, Hadith 3
USC-MSA web (English) reference : Vol. 3, Book 41, Hadith 572
Our aims or intentions reveal both our best and worst qualities. While the contrary may result in a poor consequence, a good purpose may yield a positive payoff. Here are few instances:
Charity with Publicity, or Anonymous or secret charity:
While charitable giving is strongly encouraged in Islam, it may be questioned if the goal is to win acclaim or recognition from the public. Seeking approval or recognition from others should not be the aim; the only goal should be to seek the favor of Allah and assist those in need.
Performing Religious Acts for Show, or Sincere and private religious acts:
When religious practices like praying, fasting, or the Hajj are done with the purpose of showing people how devoted one is to Islam instead of just becoming closer to Allah, then those practices may be called into doubt. Islam places a strong emphasis on worshiping in sincerity and forbids doing religious duties in order to obtain favor or social standing.
Seeking Knowledge for Pride, or Pursuing knowledge with humility and for the sake of benefiting others:
In Islam, obtaining knowledge is highly esteemed; yet, the motive may be called into question if the pursuit of information is motivated just by a desire to feel better than others or to exert intellectual superiority. The goal of learning should be selfless and directed on bettering oneself and others.
Marriage for Material Gain, or Marrying for the sake of companionship and fulfilling half of the faith with a righteous partner:
When someone gets married purely for money gain, financial stability, or social standing, their sincerity of intention may be called into question. Islam encourages marriage as a means of completing half of the faith with a virtuous mate and as a means of friendship and mutual support.
Doing Good Deeds for Return Favors, or Performing good deeds solely for the sake of pleasing Allah without expecting anything in return:
It may be questioned if deeds of kindness or assistance to others are done with the hope of gaining something in return. Islam should emphasize selflessness and doing good deeds alone for Allah's pleasure.
Seeking Forgiveness with No Intention to Change, or Seeking forgiveness with a genuine intention to change and improve one's behavior:
Seeking forgiveness from Allah without a genuine intention to change one's behavior might raise questions about the sincerity of the repentance. Islam emphasizes true remorse and a commitment to avoiding the wrongful actions in the future.
Performing Acts of Worship Out of Habit or Tradition, or Engaging in acts of worship with mindfulness, devotion, and understanding:
Sometimes people perform acts of devotion without a true desire to worship and honor Allah—rather, they may do it out of habit or social pressure. In Islam, worship must come from a sincere desire to submit to and establish a relationship with the Creator.
Hypocritical Behavior, or Consistent and sincere behavior aligned with one's beliefs and values:
When someone behaves differently in public than in private, it can raise doubts about their sincerity of intentions. Islam promotes sincerity and honesty in all facets of life and supports consistency in actions and intentions.
Lack of Intention in Daily Actions, or Conducting daily actions consciously with the intention of aligning them with pleasing Allah:
Questions about mindfulness and spiritual commitment may arise when daily routines and activities are carried out without any awareness of or intention to make them in line with Allah's pleasure.
Engaging in Business or Trade with Deceptive Intentions, or Ethical business practices, honesty, and fairness in dealings:
One can doubt the sincerity of intentions when engaging in commerce with deceptive, exploitative, or unjust methods. Honesty, fairness, and ethical business conduct are highly valued in Islam.
Performing Good Deeds to Show Superiority, or Performing good deeds with humility and equality, without seeking to prove superiority:
When someone performs good deeds, the sincerity of their intentions may be called into doubt if they are attempting to flaunt their religious superiority or to look down upon others for what is believed to be their lack of religious dedication. Islam places a strong emphasis on believers' equality and humility.
Praying or Fasting for Vanity or Physical Appearance, or Engaging in prayer or fasting with sincere intentions, focusing on spiritual growth:
When someone does acts of worship like fasting or prayer only to look pious or for the sake of improving their physical health rather than their spiritual development, it may be doubtful if their intentions are truly sincere.
Participating in Religious Gatherings for Socializing, or Attending religious gatherings for spiritual enrichment and learning, not solely for social purposes:
When someone attends religious events or gatherings purely for networking or social reasons, as opposed to spiritual growth and education, it may raise doubts about their genuine motivations.
Seeking Leadership Positions for Personal Gain, or Seeking leadership positions to serve and benefit the community rather than for personal gain:
Pursuing leadership positions in the community for the sake of one's own dominance, prestige, or self-fulfillment may cast suspicion on the sincerity of one's motivations. In Islam, the goal of pursuing leadership roles should be to serve and improve the community.
Performing Acts of Worship with a Vain Heart, or Engaging in acts of worship with sincerity, avoiding vanity and self-conceit:
Concerns regarding the sincerity of the aim may arise while performing acts of worship while harboring feelings of vanity or self-conceit and hoping to win praise from others for one's piety.
Performing Good Deeds for the Sake of Repayment, or Performing acts of kindness solely for the pleasure of Allah, without expecting anything in return:
Even if it's not expressed clearly, doing nice deeds or favors with the expectation of receiving something in return can cast doubt on the sincerity of the motivation. In Islam, doing good deeds should be done just for Allah's pleasure and not in expectation of anything in return.
Showing Kindness for Public Approval, or Showing kindness solely for the sake of pleasing Allah, without seeking approval or recognition from others:
When one acts with charity, compassion, or kindness more for the benefit of other people than for the sake of appeasing Allah, one's sincerity of intentions may be called into question.
Fulfilling Religious Obligations without Understanding or Reflection, or Fulfilling religious obligations with understanding and reflection, comprehending the spiritual significance:
Engaging in religious rituals or duties without understanding their significance or reflecting upon their spiritual implications might raise questions about the depth and sincerity of the intention.
Learning or Teaching for Prestige or Ego, or Learning or teaching for the betterment of oneself and others, devoid of pride or arrogance:
If one's only goal in acquiring or sharing knowledge is to boost one's ego, prestige, or status, then the sincerity of one's intentions may be called into question. In Islam, seeking knowledge should be done so without conceit or pride and for the benefit of the individual as well as the community.
Engaging in Worship to Ease Social Pressure, or Engaging in worship with the sole intention of pleasing Allah, not due to social pressure or avoidance of criticism:
Concerns concerning the sincerity of the desire may arise when people perform acts of worship in response to social pressure or to evade criticism or judgment from others. Seeking Allah's pleasure should be the only motivation behind acts of worship.
'Umar bin Al-Khattab (May Allah be pleased with him), reported:
The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "The deeds are considered by the intentions, and a person will get the reward according to his intention. So whoever emigrated for Allah and His Messenger, his emigration will be for Allah and His Messenger; and whoever emigrated for worldly benefits or for a woman to marry, his emigration would be for what he emigrated for".
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].
Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 1
In-book reference : Introduction, Hadith 1
Here are a few compelling arguments for why we ought to use caution in our intentions:
According to a legend, a man who became lost on an island after his boat sanked prayed to Allah, saying he didn't mind being by himself as long as Allah gave him the strength to worship Him alone. When asked how he wants to join heaven in the afterlife, man will reply that he would like to enter heaven based on his good deeds. Then, Allah will command Angels to drag him toward the Hellfire. Allah will explain that this man's good deeds during his earthly life weights less comparison to His favor of one eye. Man will then say, "I ask for Allah's forgiveness and would like to enter heaven out of Allah's mercy," as he is being dragged toward the hellfire.
It doesn't hurt to declare or acknowledge that Allah's mercy is what will bring us out of our misfortune; in fact, the benefits may be much greater.
Hadiths recount how a Sahaba converted to Islam, memorized part of the Quran, but after a troubled marriage, he wandered off and eventually lost his faith. When questioned if he remembered anything from the Quran, he said, "I forgot everything," with the exception of the verse that states that a disbeliever will regret not having believed.
Scholars clarify that it is best for people to embrace Islam at a young age and that it should be welcomed. But it also explains that a senior citizen who accepts Islam in their declining years or in death bed is pardoned of all sins and is treated as a newborn child. Perhaps Allah knows what their intention are and doesn't shy away from forgiving their sins.
In conclusion, Islam places a strong emphasis on purpose, saying that every action should be carried out with true and pure intentions. The purity of one's motivations determines the acceptability and reward of deeds, and good intentions always triumph over ill intentions. The lessons emphasize that every action—no matter how big or small—must be done only for Allah's pleasure, without looking to others for approval or recognition. Islam places a strong emphasis on how an act's intentions determine its morality and help to distinguish between a good deed and one that is harmful or neutral. Be it in worship, almsgiving, relationships, or day-to-day deeds, a sincere desire to do good is a prerequisite for spiritual development and intimacy with Allah, the one God. A believer's behavior is based on having good intentions that are grounded in sincerity and righteousness, and this has a big impact on how much Allah values and accepts their activities.
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