Sincerity in intention

Sincerity has been interpreted as being upright, sincere, truthful,
pure, distant from show and ostentation in one's intention and
conduct, and being closed to the things that cloud or foul one's
heart. Purity of intention, straightforwardness in thoughts,not
pursuing any worldly purposes in relations with Allaah,and loyalty in
servitude to Him are also included in the meaning of sincerity.
The Muslim believes in the great importance of intention and its
importance for the remainder of his deeds, both of this world and the
Hereafter. This is because all deeds are based on intention. Depending
on the intention, the deed is either valid or void.
This belief in the necessity of having an intention for every deed,
and the obligation to makethe intention proper, is based on Allaah's
Words (which mean): "And they were not commanded except to worship
Allaah (being) sincere to Him in religion, inclining to truth, and to
establish prayer and to give zakah (poor due). And that is the correct
religion." [Quran 98:5]
Allaah also said (what means): "Say (O Muhammad): 'Indeed, I have been
commanded to worship Allaah (being) sincere to Him in religion.'"
[Quran 39:11]
This belief is also based on the words of Allaah's Messenger :
"Verily, all actions are but driven by intention and for everyone is
what he intended." [Al-Bukhaari and Muslim]
Allaah's Messenger also said: "Certainly, Allaah does not look atyour
shapes (appearance) or wealth. But He only looks at your hearts and
deeds." [Al-Bukhaari and Muslim]
The one who has a sincere intention is rewarded for a good deed and
the one who has an evilintention will bear its burden, just like the
one who did a sinful deed. All of that is due to intention alone.
At the Battle of Tabook, Allaah's Messenger said: "There are people
concerning whom you do not travel any distance, nor do you spend
anything, nor do you pass any valley but they are with you in that
matter." The people said, "How is that?" He said,"They have been
restrained due to some excuse, but they are with us because of the
good intention." [Al-Bukhaari and Abu Daawood]
Sincere intention is what makes the non-combatant equal in reward to
the combatant. It is what makes the non-Mujahid receive a reward like
that of a Mujahid (one who fights for the sake of Allaah).
Allaah's Messenger has also said: "If two Muslims meet each other with
their swords, then both the killer and the killed will be in the
Hell-fire." Someone said,"O Allaah's Messenger, that is the case for
the killer but why shouldthat be the case for the killed?" He
answered, "Because he wanted to kill his companion." [Al-Bukhaari and
Muslim]
All of the above emphasize what a Muslim believes concerning the
seriousness of intention and its extreme importance. A Muslim should
base all of his deeds upon a pious intention. He also strives his best
not to perform any deed without an intention or with an impure
intention. The intention isthe soul of the deed and what determines
its value. The deed is sound if the intention is sound and the deed is
wicked if the intention is wicked. The one who performs deeds without
good intention is doing so out of disdainful show and pretence.
Furthermore, a Muslim believes that intention is an essential
component for the acceptance of deeds, and a condition for the
validity of the deed. He also knows that the intention is not simply a
statement of the tongue, "O Allaah, I intended such and such…" nor is
it simply athought in the mind.
Instead, it is the driving force in the heart towards performing a
deed that is in accordance with a sound goal -- of bringing benefit or
repelling harm, at present or in the future. The will also directsa
person to perform a deed for the sake of Allaah and to fulfill
HisCommands.
A Muslim, therefore, also believes that a permissible act may become
an act of obedience, worthy of reward and recompense. At the same
time, an act of worship, if it is done for the sake of other than
Allaah (void of a pious intention), then itbecomes an act of
disobedience worthy of punishment and burden. A Muslim also does not
believe that an act of disobedience can be changed into an act of
obedience simply due to a good intention.
For example, the one who backbites a person just to make another
person feel better, has disobeyed Allaah and has committed a sin. His
"good intention" will not benefit him at all in consideration with
Allaah. Similarly, the one who builds a Mosque with money from
prohibited sources will not be rewarded. One who attends singing and
dancing parties or who purchases raffle tickets to support good
purposes or for thesake of Jihad, is a sinner and will bear the burden
of his sin, instead of being rewarded for what he has done.
Similarly, anyone who builds a dome over the grave of a pious person,
slaughters an animal on his behalf or makes an oath on his behalf, all
in the name of having love for pious people, is disobeying Allaah and
earning a sin for what he has done.
These previously mentioned deeds are sins, even if it was done with a
pious intention. A deed is not transformed by a pious intention into
an act of obedience unless it was something permissible in the
Sharee'ah (Islamic law) in the first place. As for a forbidden act, it
never becomes an act of obedience under any circumstances.
Finally, sincerity in intention is a matter between man and his
Creator; nobody else can know the real intentions of people except
Allaah. A man who attainssincerity in intention does not consider
whether others will praise, accuse or exalt or abase him, be aware of
his deeds or not, or whether he will even gain reward or not in return
for his deeds. He considers only the pleasure of Allaah Who "…knows
the secret and what is (even) more hidden." [Quran 20:7] - - ▓███▓
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