Islam gives paramount importance to purity of intention in our daily life, be it worship or mundane affairs. The first Prophetic saying recorded in the most authentic classical book of hadith (Prophetic traditions) is about the significance and abundant rewards of pure intention.
“The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said, verily, all actions are but driven by intention and for everyone is what he intended.”
The meaning of “intention” as propounded by the Quran, is “desire”. This is obvious in these Quranic verses: “Among you are some who desire this world, and among you are some who desire the Hereafter.” And: “Whoever desires the life of this world and its adornments… keep yourself patient (by being) with those who call upon their Lord in the morning and the evening, seeking His countenance. And let not your eyes pass beyond them, desiring adornments of the worldly life...” In Islam, intention is an essential component for the acceptance of all deeds performed by humans. But intention is not just an utterance of the tongue; it is a driving force deeply embedded in one’s heart that propels one towards performing a deed in the pursuit of a noble end. This sincerity of intention is something that turns one’s entire life from being an ordinary routine to a completely organised way of worship, as long as its objective is pleasing God. One can turn even natural activities and daily practices into acts of worship.
Once, the Prophet’s companions saw a man who was toiling hard day in and day out to earn a living. Amazed at his hard work, they wished: “How nice it would be if he were doing this much work for the sake of God”.
The Prophet immediately replied:
“If he is working to support his small children, then it is for the sake of God. If he is working to support his elderly parents, then it is for the sake of God. If he is working to occupy himself and keep his desires in check, then it is for the sake of God. But if he is doing so to show off and earn fame, then he is working for the sake of Satan.”
Behind every action we do, there is certainly some motive or desire. It is very important to check our inner motives and keep them pure, sincere and subtle.
Ghulam Rasool Dehlvi is a Delhi-based writer