How Can I Purify My Intentions?

Purifying one's intention, known as 'Ikhlas' in Arabic, is the cornerstone of all righteous deeds in Islam. Intention is the essence and spirit of an action; it is what gives our deeds value and meaning, not merely their outward appearance. Allah Almighty has repeatedly emphasized the importance of Ikhlas in the Holy Quran, making it a prerequisite for the acceptance of any act. Ikhlas means performing an action solely for the sake of gaining Allah's pleasure, and not for seeking people's admiration, showing off (Riya), fame, or any other worldly benefit. The heart of a believer must be directed only towards their Creator, purifying itself from any hint of hidden or apparent polytheism (shirk). The Holy Quran explicitly states that pure devotion is only for Allah. In Surah Az-Zumar, verse 2, Allah says: "Indeed, We have sent down to you the Book with the truth; so worship Allah, [being] sincere to Him in religion." This verse clearly indicates that the purpose of worship is to be sincere and exclusively for Allah. Furthermore, in Surah Al-Bayyinah, verse 5, we read: "And they were not commanded except to worship Allah, [being] sincere to Him in religion, inclining to truth, and to establish prayer and to give zakah. And that is the correct religion." These verses decisively emphasize that Ikhlas is the core and foundation of faith. Without a pure intention, even the greatest deeds may be considered worthless or of little value, because Allah looks at hearts and intentions, not merely outward forms. To purify the intention of one's deeds, one must embark on a path of servitude and spiritual knowledge. This is a continuous process that requires constant self-reflection (muhasabah) and self-improvement. One of the most important steps is self-awareness and introspection. Before performing any action, ask yourself: "What is my goal in doing this? Do I want to be praised by others? Am I seeking worldly gain? Or do I simply wish to attain the pleasure of my Creator?" This continuous self-questioning gradually reveals hidden motives and helps direct the intention towards divine pleasure. Another step is strengthening faith in the Day of Judgment and meeting with the Lord. When a person deeply believes that all their deeds, no matter how small, will be accounted for on the Day of Reckoning, and their reward and punishment are preserved with Allah Almighty, worldly motives become less significant. Surah Al-Kahf, verse 110, states: "So whoever would hope for the meeting with his Lord - let him do righteous work and not associate anyone with the worship of his Lord." This verse establishes a direct link between hoping to meet Allah, performing righteous deeds, and purifying intention (not associating partners). Avoiding 'Riya' (showing off) is another aspect of Ikhlas. Riya is the enemy of sincerity and invalidates deeds. Allah Almighty has condemned those who show off in several verses. For instance, Surah Al-Ma'un criticizes those who pray but are heedless of their prayers and show off. To avoid Riya, one should practice performing some good deeds privately, acts that only Allah is aware of. This helps strengthen the sense of sincerity. Of course, this does not mean not doing good deeds publicly, but rather doing them without the intention of showing off. Furthermore, seeking Allah's help through supplication (dua) and remembrance (dhikr) is highly effective. No one can fully purify their intention without divine help and success. Ask Allah to cleanse your heart from any impurity and to make your deeds solely for His sake. Repeating the supplications that Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) used to make for seeking sincerity, such as "O Allah, I seek refuge in You from associating partners with You knowingly, and I seek Your forgiveness for what I do unknowingly," can be very beneficial. Constantly reminding oneself that Allah is All-Aware and All-Seeing, knowing all our hidden and apparent states, greatly assists in maintaining sincerity. Ultimately, Ikhlas is a journey, not a destination. Every day requires re-evaluation and effort to purify intentions. Through self-discipline, deep reflection on the verses of the Quran, emulating the lives of prophets and righteous predecessors, and reliance on Allah, one can take firm steps in the path of purifying intentions. Every small deed done with a pure intention is far more valuable to Allah than great deeds mixed with un-divine motives. So, let us continuously monitor our intentions, fill our lives with deeds that embody the pleasure of our Lord, and thereby achieve true peace in this world and boundless reward in the Hereafter.