How to Transform Worldly Intentions into Divine Intentions?

Transforming worldly intentions into divine intentions is one of the most profound and fundamental concepts on the path to drawing closer to God, a concept explicitly emphasized in the teachings of the Holy Quran. This process implies that every action a person undertakes, whether minor or significant, personal or social, transcends mere material and fleeting objectives to connect with the goal of gaining divine pleasure and achieving eternal reward. The Quran repeatedly highlights the importance of intention and sincerity in deeds, emphasizing that the true value of any action depends not merely on its outward appearance but on the inner state and purpose of the doer. Intention is the spirit of action, and without it, an act, no matter how grand or impressive it may seem, might be considered worthless or of little value in the sight of Allah. This foundational principle stems from the fact that Allah Almighty does not merely look at the outward forms of actions, but rather at the depth of hearts and the sincerity of His servants' intentions. Therefore, for every believer who desires to achieve perfection and gain the pleasure of their Lord, changing their perspective from material goals to spiritual and divine goals is a vital necessity. This transformation also reshapes a person's daily life, imbuing all their activities with divine meaning and value. To better understand this, we must turn to numerous verses in the Quran that underscore the centrality of sincerity (Ikhlas) and mindfulness of God in all affairs. For instance, 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 clearly indicates that worship, and by extension any act performed for God, must be accompanied by complete sincerity. Sincerity means purifying one’s intention from any trace of polytheism (shirk), showing off (riya), seeking fame, or any other material or worldly objective. This applies not only to pure acts of worship like prayer and fasting but also extends to all aspects of human life, from earning a livelihood and pursuing knowledge to family and social relationships. This means that even a smile directed at another person, or helping a neighbor, if done with a pure intention for the sake of God, acquires immense spiritual value. One of the most crucial steps in this transformation is a “change in perspective.” A person must understand the truth that this world and everything in it are transient and fleeting, whereas the Hereafter and divine rewards are eternal and enduring. This viewpoint is clearly articulated in several Quranic verses, such as Surah Al-Kahf, verse 46, which says: “Wealth and children are [but] adornment of the worldly life. But the enduring good deeds are better to your Lord for reward and better for [one's] hope.” When a person internalizes this perspective, they no longer pursue purely worldly goals but rather see every worldly activity as a bridge to achieving their ultimate objectives in the Hereafter. They understand that acquiring knowledge, gaining wealth, or even starting a family are tools that can be used in the path of divine pleasure, and instead of being ultimate goals, they become means to achieve a greater purpose: proximity to God and eternal felicity. The next step is “remembrance and awareness of God” (Dhikr) during all activities. When a person is working, studying, or engaged in any other activity, if they consciously intend that this action is for the pleasure of God, to help God’s creation, or to earn a lawful livelihood for their family so they can worship God in the best way, their action takes on a divine quality. For example, earning a lawful income is by itself a worldly intention, but if the intention is to use this income to help the needy, provide for one’s family, or spend it in good causes, this seemingly worldly act transforms into a great act of worship. In Surah Al-Baqarah, verse 272, we read: “And you do not spend except seeking the countenance of Allah.” This verse shows that even charitable acts must be performed with pure divine intention to be accepted and to acquire true value. This is a form of continuous remembrance of God that makes a person aware of His presence and pleasure at all times of their life. “Self-accountability” (Muhasabah al-nafs) and “continuous review of intentions” are also essential requirements of this process. A person should constantly examine their intentions and ask themselves whether they are truly doing this for God or if other objectives are involved. This self-awareness helps individuals gradually purify their intentions and make them more sincere. Imam Sadiq (AS) said: “The intention of a believer is better than his deed.” This Hadith emphasizes the extraordinary importance of intention in Islam, because a pure intention can turn a small act into a great one, while an impure intention can render a great act worthless. This continuous review helps a person free themselves from the traps of showing off, self-display, and worldliness, and to direct their actions solely for the sake of Allah. This consistent effort towards purification is itself a form of worship and a greater jihad. Finally, “reliance on God” (Tawakkul) and “supplication” (Du’a) for guidance and the steadfastness of divine intentions are crucial. A person cannot maintain pure intentions without God's help. One must ask God to keep them firm on the path of sincerity and to make their deeds solely for His pleasure. This process does not happen overnight; rather, it is a long spiritual journey that requires patience, consistency, and continuous effort. With this approach, worldly life transforms into a field for cultivating good seeds and harvesting rewards in the Hereafter, and every step in life becomes a step on the path of drawing closer to God. This inner peace and contentment, which springs from pure intention, is itself the greatest worldly reward and helps a person to be more resilient in the face of life's challenges and difficulties. In summary, to transform worldly intentions into divine ones, there is a need to shift perspective from the transient to the eternal, to link every action to divine pleasure, to avoid showing off and seeking fame, to practice self-accountability, and to rely on and supplicate to the Almighty God. This approach not only imbues human actions with spiritual value but also brings inner peace and contentment to the individual, making their worldly life blessed. This path is what the Holy Quran repeatedly invites humanity to, considering it the way to true salvation and success, both in this world and the Hereafter.