Why is sincerity in intentions important in Islam اسلام میں نیتوں میں اخلاص کیوں ضروری ہے؟

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Why is sincerity in intentions important in Islam?

I begin in the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Alhamdulillah, by the grace and mercy of Allah, we are starting Statement No. 4. Our aim is to learn and teach from the Quran and Sunnah, understand the rulings, reflect on history, and seek solutions to problems with divine guidance. May Allah make this statement useful and a source of light for all hearts.

Today we will explain why sincerity in intentions is important in Islam?

Is sincerity in intentions (morality) the basis of all acts of worship and obedience to Allah in Islam? Without sincerity, actions lose their spiritual value and become invalid, even if they are outwardly good. The Quran and Hadith emphasize that Allah judges not the form of actions, but intentions. One of the most important prophetic traditions in this regard is the famous hadith narrated in both Sahih Al-Bukhari (Hadith 1) and Sahih Muslim (Hadith 1907): "Actions are judged by intentions, and every person will have only what he intended, whoever emigrated for the sake of Allah and His Messenger emigrated for the sake of Allah and His Messenger. For some worldly gain or to marry a woman, his emigration is for that for which he emigrated.

The Quran also emphasizes that worship should be purely for Allah alone, free from show or the pursuit of worldly gain. In Surah Al-Bayyinah, verse 5, Allah Almighty says: And they were not commanded except that they should worship Allah, being sincere to Him in religion, inclined to the truth, and establish prayer and give zakah, and that is the right religion." . Here sincerity is described as the essence of deen (religion), because worship devoid of sincerity is mere formality without spiritual benefit. Similarly, in verse 11 of Surah Az-Zumar, the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) is commanded to declare: "Say, I have been commanded to worship Allaah, being sincere to Him". This makes it clear that sincerity is not optional but a divine command for all believers, including the Messenger of Allaah.

Sincerity in intentions is very important because it ensures that actions are directed towards Allaah and not towards the approval of people. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) warned against the spiritual danger of , which he described as a hidden form of shirk (associating partners with Allaah). In Sunan Ibn Majah (Hadith 4204), he said: "What I fear most about you is the minor shirk". They asked, "O Messenger of Allah, what is minor shirk?" He (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: Showing off. Allah will say on the Day of Resurrection, when He will reward people for their deeds: "Go to those for whom you used to show off in this world, and see if you find any reward with them." This hadith shows that even acts of worship such as prayer, fasting, or charity will be of no use if they are performed to impress others. Thus, sincerity protects the believer from losing his good deeds.

The Quran has given many examples of how poor intentions invalidate deeds. In Surah Al-Ma'un verses 4-6, Allah Almighty says: So woe to those who pray but are heedless of their prayer, who make a show of their deeds" . These verses explain that although prayer itself is the most important act of worship, when it is done for the sake of show, it becomes blameworthy. Similarly, in Surah Al-Baqarah verse 264, Allah Almighty warns: O you who have believed, do not nullify your charity by admonition or harm. Like one who spends his wealth only to be seen of people and does not believe in Allah and the Last Day, his example is that of a stone that falls on a smooth rock and breaks on it. They will not be able to keep anything of what they have earned, and Allah does not guide the disbelievers.'' This metaphor shows that sincere charity becomes useless, which makes a person spiritually But it becomes bankrupt.

Another reason for sincerity in intentions is that it turns ordinary actions into acts of worship. The Prophet (PBUH) He (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “Indeed, you do not spend anything for the sake of Allah but you will be rewarded for it, even the food you put in your wife’s mouth” (Sahih Al-Bukhari, Hadith 56; Sahih Muslim, Hadith 1628). This Hadith teaches that even everyday worldly actions, such as providing for one’s family, become acts of worship if they are done with sincerity for the sake of Allah. Thus, sincerity elevates the believer’s entire life, turning every action into an opportunity for reward.

Sincerity also protects the believer from hypocrisy. The hypocrites are described in the Quran as those who perform outward deeds but lack inner faith. In Surah An-Nisaa’, verse 142, Allah says: “Indeed, the hypocrites [think to] deceive Allah, but He is deceiving them. And when they stand for prayer, they stand lazily, showing [themselves to] the people and not remembering Allah except a little”. Their insincerity corrupted the society of Madinah, and the Qur’an warns believers not to imitate such behavior.

In conclusion, sincerity in intentions is central in Islam because it gives meaning, value, and reward to all acts of worship and daily life. Without sincerity, actions become void, no matter how impressive they appear. The Qur’an repeatedly commands believers to worship Allah with pure devotion, and the Prophet (PBUH) stressed that every action is judged by its intention. Sincerity protects against hypocrisy, shields from the sin of showing off, and ensures that one’s deeds are accepted by Allah. For this reason, scholars often say that sincerity is the “soul” of worship, while deeds without sincerity are like a body without life.

We conclude today's discourse with this humble supplication: O Allah, purify our hearts, accept our deeds, forgive our sins, and include us among Your grateful servants. Bless us in our time, our families, and our faith, and gather us under the shade of Your mercy on the Day of Judgment. Amen

Allah Hafiz
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