We make intentions for our good deeds to be accepted and rewarded from Allah. Intention must be correct and from heart. Motives of sound intentions are seeking Allah’s pleasure, obeying Him and complying with His commands.
Allah says:
“Indeed, my prayer, my rites of sacrifice, my living and my dying are for Allah, Lord of the worlds”. [Quran 6: 162]
Prophet Mohammad (s) said: “Actions are but by intentions and each person will have but that which he intended.” (al-Bukhari, 1 and Muslim, 1907).
Our intentions for any deeds should be sincerely for Allah. Intention should not be changed; nor diverted to something other than Allah, i.e., associate anything else or for worldly gains.
Intention for the Permissible Things:
It is preferable to make intension in permissible things for reward, hence, they would be acts of worship, such as eating, drinking and sleeping with the intention of strengthening oneself for worship. Making good intentions help getting rewards.
Prophet Mohammad said: “You will never spend anything that you spend for the sake of Allah, but you will be rewarded for it, even the morsel of food that you put in your wife’s mouth.” (al-Bukhari, 56).
Mu’adh (r) said: “I sleep and I get up (to pray at night), and I seek reward for my sleep as I seek reward for my getting up.” (al-Bukhari, 4088).
Things to be Considered for a Good Intention:
An intention is for Allah to please Him. Prophet (s) said: “Allah does not accept any deed except that which is done only for Him and to seek His Countenance.” (al-Nasaa’i, 3140; al-Silsilah al-Sahih, 52).
One can consider the followings in doing his good deeds: (https://islamqa.info/en/answers/240287/guidelines-on-sincerity-in-ones-deeds, cited 22/8/2022):
- try to avoid others’ seeing or hearing;
- should not focus too much on people’s praise or criticism;
- cover one’s good deeds and keeping them secret;
- avoid situations to be famous, unless that serves a shariah interest;
- should not show-off;
- always think of falling short, should not attribute any good deeds to oneself;
- realise that all blessings come from Allah;
- pray for forgiveness after doing a deed because of falling short; and
- rejoice when Allah enables him to do righteous deeds.
Living in Australia:
As we live in Australia, we must make intentions for gaining Islamic knowledge and disseminating Allah’s messages to all. Muslims should be united here as Brothers. We should try to follow the Prophet’s footsteps, and we aim to reveal good examples for others.
Finally, we must remind ourselves that worship can only be acceptable to Allah if it meets two conditions:
i) it is done sincerely for Allah alone, and
ii) it follows the Sunnah of Prophet (s) and is in accordance with shariah. No good intention is accepted if it goes against shariah and there is bidah in worshipping Allah.
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