Intentions are the very essence that gives our deeds life.
Imam Ghazali teaches us that worship consists of two essential parts: the intention and the action itself. While both are necessary, intention holds a higher rank because every deed we perform—whether it’s prayer, fasting, or charity—ultimately aims to transform our hearts.
The heart must incline toward what is good, distance itself from what is harmful, and be free to reflect and remember Allah. This inner transformation leads to a deeper connection with and knowledge of Allah, the ultimate source of happiness in the afterlife.
Take, for example, the act of sujood (prostration). The purpose isn’t merely to place our foreheads on the ground; it’s to cultivate humility in our hearts.
Likewise, zakat isn’t just about giving away possessions; it’s about purifying our hearts from the stinginess that ties us to material wealth.
The heart’s intention is what gives meaning to our actions.
Actions without intention are like trying to cure a headache by rubbing Tylenol on your forehead. Ghazali also teaches us that we can maximize the benefits of a single deed by cultivating multiple positive intentions.
Consider the simple act of entering the mosque. By intending to connect with our community, remember Allah, retreat from the dunya, and earn the reward of prayer, we turn one action into a source of manifold blessings.
The more we align our hearts with virtuous intentions, the more our actions will bear fruit.
But this also serves as a caution. If our intentions are misguided, the same action can lead us astray. For instance, wearing perfume to follow the Sunnah, honor the mosque’s sanctity, or avoid offending others with unpleasant odors is a beautiful intention.
But the act becomes reprehensible if we aim to show off or be better than others.
Reward and sin often lie in the subtleties of our hearts’ intentions.
Ghazali reminds us that the pious predecessors were so attuned to their intentions that they sometimes refrained from good deeds if they felt their intentions were not pure.
Dear Beloved Son / Ayyuhal Walad Al Ghazali
I seek Allahs refuge from the knowledge which is of no benefit”. This disciple of Imam Ghazali (RA) kept thinking along these lines for a few days and then wrote a letter to Imam Ghazali (RA) with the view of getting an answer to his dilemma along with some other questions. Furthermore, he asked in his letter to Imam Ghazali (RA) for some advice and to teach him a supplication that he could always recite. He wrote in his letter that although Imam Ghazali (RA) has written numerous books on this issue,this weak individual is in need of something that he could always study and always act upon its injunctions. In reply to his letter, Imam Ghazali (RA) sent him the following advices. free download
Lettre au disciple – Ayyuhal Walad Al Ghazali
La “lettre au disciple” (ayyuha al walad) de l’Imam Abu Hamid al Ghazali est l’un de ses derniers ouvrages. Il répond sous forme d’épître à un de ses élèves qui l’avait prié de lui apporter des éclaircissements sur des points de doctrine et sur certains points qui relèvent de la science du dévoilement. free download
For example, Muhammad ibn Sirin, a renowned scholar of the Tabi’un, once refrained from attending Hasan al-Basri’s funeral prayer. Since he would likely be asked to lead the prayer, he was concerned that pride might arise from being given such a prominent role.
This level of awareness shows us just how critical intention is in the eyes of those who truly understand the essence of worship.
Intention isn’t something we can create with mere words. It’s not enough to say, “I intend this for the sake of Allah,” if our hearts aren’t aligned with that purpose.
True intention requires deep-seated conviction and a clear understanding of this world’s fleeting nature and the eternal reward of the hereafter.
Without intention, our actions are hollow and lack the transformative power that connects us to Allah. But with the right intention, even the simplest acts become a means of drawing closer to our Creator.
If we eat to gain strength to worship Allah, that meal becomes an act of devotion. If we sleep to recharge our energy for prayer, that rest becomes an act of worship.
Even our social interactions, when done to maintain the bonds of brotherhood and spread goodness, are elevated to worship. As we go about our daily lives, let’s strive to renew our intentions in everything we do.
How to grow in Sincerity
How to grow in sincerity? We have the surah in the holy Quran, surah Ikhlas. Sincerity is Ikhlas in Arabic. It is saying, that you must say that Allah ﷻ is only One and He is everlasting and completely independent. Everything is dependend from Him and He is dependend from nothing…
Whether engaging in worship, spending time with family, or simply resting, let’s ensure our hearts are aligned with the ultimate purpose of drawing closer to Allah.
May Allah grant us the clarity and sincerity of intention in all our deeds, and may He guide our hearts to that which brings us nearer to Him.
Sufi Path of Love 