Why does the Quran give great importance to the intention behind actions?

In the profound and elevated teachings of the Holy Quran, one of the most fundamental and destiny-shaping concepts is 'Niyyah,' which refers to the inner intention or purpose behind human actions. The Quran considers Niyyah not merely an inseparable component of every action, but rather the very spirit and essence that grants value to that action. This foundational importance stems from the monotheistic worldview of Islam, where Allah, the All-Knowing of both the manifest and the hidden, encompasses not only the outward appearances of deeds but also what transpires within hearts and intentions, judging accordingly. This principle elevates outward actions to a state of true worship and connection with God, or diminishes their worth. From the Quran's perspective, an action without a pure intention is like a lifeless body, ultimately devoid of spirit and truth, thus lacking spiritual and otherworldly value. The significance of intention is so great that even outwardly similar actions can acquire entirely different values based on a change in intention; a financial contribution might be for showing off, while another is for God's pleasure, and the difference in their reward and standing with Allah originates from this. The Quran repeatedly emphasizes the concept of 'Ikhlas' (sincerity), which is inextricably linked to intention. Ikhlas means purifying one's intention solely for Allah, meaning performing every act purely to gain His pleasure, and not for gaining people's attention, fame, material gain, or any other worldly motive. 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 demonstrates that the essence of religiosity and worship is the sincerity of intention. Without sincerity, even great acts of worship like prayer and zakat may be stripped of their true content. This emphasis on sincerity guides humanity towards deep self-reflection and continuous contemplation of their heart's motives, ensuring that the ultimate goal of their actions is divine proximity. The importance of intention in the Quran is also manifested in the discussion of reward and punishment for deeds. Allah, the Just and Wise, bestows rewards based on pure intentions. In Surah Al-Baqarah, verse 265, Allah provides an example of charity given with pure intention, stating: "And the example of those who spend their wealth seeking means to Allah's pleasure and assuring [reward for] themselves is like a garden on high ground which receives much rain, so its fruit is doubled. And if it does not receive much rain, then a drizzle [is sufficient]. And Allah is Seeing of what you do." In contrast, the preceding verse (Baqarah 264) refers to those who invalidate their charities by reminders or injury, like one who spends his wealth to be seen by the people. This comparison illustrates how intention can completely transform the effect of an action; a similar act can lead to growth and blessing in one case, and destruction and fruitlessness in another. The Quran strongly condemns ostentatious acts and showing off, as these actions indicate corruption of intention and lack of sincerity in one's relationship with Allah. Hypocrisy (Nifaq), which is severely condemned in the Quran, is in fact a clear manifestation of inconsistency between intention and action; where a person's outward appearance is that of a believer, but their inner self is devoid of faith, and their motives are worldly and selfish. In Surah An-Nisa, verse 142, Allah states: "Indeed, the hypocrites [think to] deceive Allah, but He is deceiving them. And when they stand for prayer, they stand lazily, showing [themselves to] the people and not remembering Allah except a little." This verse clearly shows that even performing prayer without a pure intention turns into a worthless and even reprehensible act. Furthermore, the concept of intention helps individuals transform their daily lives into acts of worship. Many ordinary and permissible acts of life, such as earning a lawful living, resting to regain strength for worship, eating to maintain health, and performing duties, if done with divine intention and seeking Allah's pleasure, transform into acts of worship for which otherworldly rewards are designated. This perspective fills the believer's life with purpose and meaning, making every moment an opportunity for closeness to Allah. In other words, a righteous intention is a gateway that connects worldly actions to the heavens of spirituality. Intention also determines the overall direction of a person's life. One whose intention is always to gain Allah's pleasure and serve creation paves their way towards eternal happiness, while one whose intention is solely worldly gain and selfishness may outwardly succeed in this world but be deprived of true blessings and otherworldly rewards. Therefore, the Holy Quran considers intention the cornerstone of human spiritual character, the criterion for evaluating the worth of actions, and the key to true happiness in this world and the hereafter, calling upon believers to continuously purify their intentions to always tread the path of divine pleasure.