How to Examine One's Intention in Life's Journey?

In the life-giving school of Islam, intention (niyyah) plays a pivotal and vital role in determining the value and acceptance of human actions. The Holy Quran, this guiding book, repeatedly emphasizes the paramount importance of sincerity of intention and purity of purpose in all aspects of life. Examining one's intention throughout life’s journey is not merely an ethical recommendation but a spiritual necessity for growth and ensuring the acceptance of deeds before God. This process of self-knowledge and self-awareness helps individuals avoid the pitfalls of hypocrisy (riya') and showing off, directing all their efforts solely towards gaining the pleasure of the Almighty. From a Quranic perspective, every action, whether an act of worship or a social interaction, gains its true value only when performed with sincere intention and for the sole purpose of seeking God's pleasure. In other words, the quality of intention transforms mere physical movements into meaningful and sublime acts of worship. In Surah Al-Bayyinah, verse 5, Allah states: “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.” This verse explicitly states that the core of religion and worship is sincerity (ikhlas); meaning to purify actions from any form of partnership or non-divine motive. This applies not only to specific acts of worship but to everything a person does in life, from business dealings to social and family interactions, all of which can be transformed into acts of worship with a pure intention. To continuously examine our intentions in life, we must first deeply understand the concept of ikhlas (sincerity). Ikhlas means that one has no other aim or purpose than the pleasure of Allah. This implies negating any desire for fame, hypocrisy, or seeking material gains. Truly, a sincere person is one whose behavior does not differ whether in solitude or in public, and it makes no difference to them whether people see them or not, praise them or criticize them. Their only goal is for their action to be accepted by Allah. This is what is alluded to in Surah Al-Kahf, verse 110: “So whoever would hope for the meeting with his Lord - let him do righteous work and not associate in the worship of his Lord anyone.” This verse provides a golden criterion for examining intention: if you perform a righteous deed, ensure that there is no partnership in your intention with God – neither from people nor from worldly desires and personal whims. One of the most crucial steps in examining intention is constant self-reflection and self-accountability (muhasabah). Before starting any action, a person should ask themselves, “Why am I doing this?” Is it for the pleasure of Allah, or to gain the attention of others? Am I seeking people's praise or divine reward? These recurring questions gradually lead an individual towards purifying their intention and refining their inner self. After performing the action, reviewing the intention is also essential. An action might begin with a pure intention, but during its course, selfish temptations and satanic whispers might lead one towards hypocrisy. This is where repentance (tawbah) and seeking forgiveness (istighfar) play a vital role; repenting from any impure intention and returning to sincerity. Furthermore, the Holy Quran emphasizes in Surah Al-Hajj, verse 37, that what reaches Allah is not merely the outward appearance of deeds, but the truth of intention and piety: “Their meat will not reach Allah, nor will their blood, but what reaches Him is piety from you.” This verse clearly states that Allah pays attention to the essence of the deed, which is the piety hidden within the heart and the pure intention, not merely its volume or external form. This is a powerful criterion for assessing intention: Is my action performed out of piety, fear of God, and love for Him, or merely to fulfill a ritual or gain prestige? Practically, to check one's intention, one can also utilize various methods. For example, striving to perform good deeds secretly and without others' knowledge is an excellent practice for strengthening sincerity. When a person performs a good deed without expecting praise from others, their intention becomes purer. Avoiding speaking about one's good deeds to others, except when the purpose is to promote good and not to show off, is also very effective. Supplication (Du'a) and earnest pleading to Allah for sincerity of intention and protection from hypocrisy are among the most potent tools. It is narrated that the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) used to seek Allah's protection from hidden hypocrisy. This indicates that even the greatest spiritual figures paid special attention to this matter and sought divine assistance. Ultimately, examining intention is a continuous and ongoing process that continues throughout one's life. Intention is like the beating heart of actions; if the heart becomes sick, the entire body will also become sick. Therefore, inspired by the verses of the Quran and the teachings of the Prophet (PBUH), we must constantly strive to purify our intentions and set our goals solely for the pleasure of the Creator. This path may be challenging, but its fruits – inner peace in this world and eternal happiness in the Hereafter – are infinitely valuable. Every time you check your intention, you are, in essence, paving your way closer to Allah and ensuring that the main destination is not forgotten in every step of life.