Introduction
This is also called “the correction of intention” i.e. whenever a person intends to do something good, he must not be tempted by some worldly motive but rather do it purely for the pleasure of Allah Ta’ala and to expect its reward in the Aakhirah. This purity of intention can be achieved only when we have firm Imaan in the reward which Allah Ta’ala and His Rasul ﷺ have promised for our good deeds and therefore, the hope of attaining this reward should be our motive when doing good deeds. That is why Rasulullah ﷺ has said, “The reward for your deeds depends entirely on your intention and everyone is paid in accordance with the nature of his intention.” It means that it is not merely the action which ensures us a reward from Allah Ta’ala, but rather it is the sincerity of our intention. If an action is void of good intention and is undertaken for the sake of passion, or to please men, or to attain some worldly interest, then it is hollow, lifeless and deserves no reward from Allah Ta’ala. A Hadith to this effect says, “All the deeds of men will be gathered before Allah Ta’ala on the Day of Qiyaamah and only those deeds which were done purely for Allah Ta’ala will be separated and the rest will be thrown into Jahannum.” (Targheeb) When certain good deeds are done purely for Allah Ta’ala, it is called “Ikhlaas” and whenever a believer intends to do something based on sincerity, the nafs or Shaytaan will put obstacles in his way. Therefore, it is essential for sincerity that one should forsake the worldly temptations and should believe in the everlasting blessings and favours of the Aakhirah. Those who have realized the value of sincerity apply it to their worldly affairs also. They observe sincerity (ikhlaas) in eating, drinking, sleeping, awakening, walking, earning their livelihood, etc. This standard of sincerity cannot be achieved without the company of buzroogs (pious Allah fearing people). For example, the Ulama have told us that if someone desires reward by fasting and also good health at the same time; or if by going for Haj, one wishes reward, recreation and safety from the enemy; or if by giving Sadaqah to a beggar, one has an intention to attain reward from Allah Ta’ala, appreciation from the onlookers and to silence the beggar, then all the above-mentioned deeds will be void of sincerity. A Sahaabi of Rasulullah ﷺ asked him, “What is Imaan?” He replied, “Another name for Imaan is sincerity!” (Targheeb) In another Hadith Rasulullah ﷺ says, “Observe sincerity in your deeds, then even a few good deeds will be greatly rewarding for you!” (Targheeb) Another Sahaabi of Rasulullah ﷺ asked him, “One man participates in Jihaad for the sake of acquiring wealth and another man participates for the sake of his reputation, that he may be called a hero. O! Messenger of Allah, who is it that is really fighting in the path of Allah Ta’ala?” He answered, “Only that person who wants to propagate and establish the truth told to him (in the Qur-aan-e-Kareem) really fights in the path of Allah Ta’ala.” (Bukhaari, Muslim) Those who do not desire the pleasure of Allah Ta’ala for their deeds, but rather wish only for the worldly achievements are certainly hypocrites and this (hypocrisy) is a disease of the heart, which our Mashaaikh say is the root of all evils. Once Rasulullah ﷺ said to his Sahaabah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُمْ , “The thing I fear most in your actions is smaller shirk.” The Sahaabah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُمْ asked, “What is smaller shirk?” He answered, “Showing off (of one’s good deeds!)” Another Hadith says, “Whoever makes a show of his Salaah, fasting or Sadaqah, has committed shirk.” Another Hadith says, “There is a pit of sorrow in Jahannam, of which even Jahannam seeks the refuge of Allah Ta’ala. Those worshippers, who make a show of their Ibaadah will be thrown into it.”