✍️ Written by: Sahibzada Shahid Siddiq
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Introduction
The foundation of Islam is not only on outward actions but on the intention hidden behind those actions. The Holy Prophet ﷺ said:
«اِنَّمَا الْأَعْمَالُ بِالنِّيَّاتِ، وَإِنَّمَا لِكُلِّ امْرِئٍ مَا نَوَى»
“Actions are based on intentions, and every person will get only what he intended.”
(Sahih Bukhari: 1, Sahih Muslim: 1907)
This Hadith is the summary of the whole religion. Because outward action is in its place, but the real value and worth is determined by the sincerity of the intention.
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Importance of Intention and Sincerity in the Qur’an
Allah Almighty has repeatedly taught sincerity of intention in the Holy Qur’an:
• “وَمَا أُمِرُوا إِلَّا لِيَعْبُدُوا اللَّهَ مُخْلِصِينَ لَهُ الدِّينَ”
“And they were not commanded except to worship Allah, being sincere to Him in religion.”
(Surah Al-Bayyina: 5)
• “مَنْ كَانَ يُرِيدُ الْحَيَاةَ الدُّنْيَا وَزِينَتَهَا نُوَفِّ إِلَيْهِمْ أَعْمَالَهُمْ فِيهَا… أُولَئِكَ الَّذِينَ لَيْسَ لَهُمْ فِي الْآخِرَةِ إِلَّا النَّارُ”
“Whoever desires the life of this world and its adornment, We shall repay them in full for their deeds therein… They are those for whom there will be nothing in the Hereafter except the Fire.”
(Surah Hud: 15-16)
These verses make it clear that if the intention is only for the world, then worldly benefit will surely be gained, but in the Hereafter there will be loss. And if the intention is for the pleasure of Allah, then success will be in both worlds.
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Action in Itself is Neither Good nor Bad
Islam gives this principle that action in itself is neither good nor bad — the real difference lies in intention and purpose.
However, there is an exception:
Those actions which have been explicitly forbidden in the Qur’an and Sunnah, they are bad in every condition, even if the intention is good.
• For example:
• Shirk (associating partners with Allah): Even if someone says that I am doing it with the intention of love or respect, still it is the greatest sin.
• Lying: Even if said for worldly benefit or so-called good purpose, it will remain haram (except in those special cases which Shariah itself has permitted, such as reconciling between two parties with soft words).
• Riba (Usury/Interest): Even if someone intends to do good with it, still it is sin.
• Adultery or Theft: Whatever the intention may be, it will always remain haram and evil.
That is to say, in ordinary actions, good and bad are determined by intention, but those actions which Allah and His Messenger ﷺ have declared haram will always remain evil regardless of intention.
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Practical Examples
• Anger:
• Anger for one’s ego and stubbornness is haram.
• But anger for the sanctity of Allah and the Holy Prophet ﷺ, for religion or for the honour of parents is faith-based dignity.
• Love:
• Love for carnal desire is sin.
• Love for Allah, the Holy Prophet ﷺ, and the believers is part of faith.
• Earning wealth:
• Wealth earned for pride or show-off is destruction.
• But if the intention is lawful sustenance and spending in the way of Allah, then the same becomes worship.
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Worldly Benefit and Difference of Intention
This reality is also clear that:
• Worldly benefit will be gained in every case.
Any action of worldly nature will surely produce its worldly result and benefit, whether the intention is good or bad.
• If one does business, profit will come.
• If one works hard, success will come.
• But the difference is this:
• Pure intention (for Allah): Along with worldly benefit, the heart will find peace, the soul will find satisfaction, and in the Hereafter reward and rank will be granted.
• Evil intention (for envy or ego): Worldly benefit will still come, but the heart will not find peace. Restlessness and lack of blessing will remain, and in the Hereafter the action will be a cause of punishment.
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Intention — A Personal Matter Between Man and Allah
Since intention is an act of the heart, therefore it is a personal matter between Allah and His servant. No one else has the right to doubt the intention of others.
The Holy Prophet ﷺ said:
“Avoid suspicion, for indeed suspicion is the greatest falsehood.”
(Sahih Bukhari: 6064, Sahih Muslim: 2563)
From this two principles come out:
1. Keep Good Opinion (Husn-e-Zann):
• When seeing the deeds of others, always think good that they have done it with good intention.
• It is forbidden to give fatwa or verdict about someone’s intention.
2. Do not decide without asking:
• If in any matter clarification is required, then ask directly from that person.
• Only by looking at the outward act, doubting or accusing the intention is sin.
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Islam and the Relation with Worldly Affairs
Islam does not teach monasticism, nor does it give the lesson of abandoning the world.
• Rather Islam gives this principle that a person should perform every worldly work, every emotion, and every need with correct intention and within correct boundaries.
• Happiness or sadness, love or dislike, rest or labor — Islam does not forbid any natural emotion or worldly action, except for those few things which have been clearly prohibited in Qur’an and Sunnah.
• In Islam, earning wealth, eating good things, wearing clothes, adopting residence, taking rest — all are permissible. And if the intention is for the pleasure of Allah, then these all become worship.
Allah Almighty says:
“قُلْ مَنْ حَرَّمَ زِينَةَ اللَّهِ الَّتِي أَخْرَجَ لِعِبَادِهِ وَالطَّيِّبَاتِ مِنَ الرِّزْقِ”
“Say: Who has forbidden the adornment of Allah which He has produced for His servants, and the good things of provision?”
(Surah al-A’raf: 32)
Therefore the real command is that in all worldly works keep the intention correct, so that along with benefit in this world, the reward of the Hereafter and eternal success may also be achieved.
Conclusion
• Intention is the real soul of action.
• Action in itself is neither good nor bad, intention and purpose make it worship or destruction.
• Only those actions are always bad which the Qur’an and Sunnah have declared haram, whatever the intention may be.
• Worldly benefit will be gained in both cases, but peace, blessing, and success of the Hereafter is only with pure intention.
• And about others we are always ordered to keep good opinion, because intention is a personal matter between man and Allah.
. Islam does not teach monasticism but a balanced way of life, so that success may be achieved in both world and Hereafter.
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Summary and Supplication
• The foundation of action is on intention.
• If intention is pure, a small action becomes big.
• If intention is corrupt, even a big action becomes wasted.
• Worldly benefit will be gained in both cases, but peace, blessing, and success of the Hereafter is only with pure intention.
• Doubting the intention of others is forbidden, we are commanded to keep good opinion.
Supplication:
O Allah! Make our intentions pure for Your pleasure. Make every action of ours a means of nearness to You. Save us from show-off, envy, and the deception of the ego. Grant us that chest which is filled with good opinion, and that heart which is enlightened with sincerity. Ameen.
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Wassalam
Sahibzada Shahid Siddiq
Anjuman Gulzar-e-Madina International