Is it permissible for a person to make an intention from which they seek worldly benefit, such as losing weight for ease of movement, a beautiful appearance, and avoiding embarrassment? And is that considered shirk (associating partners with God)? What is the meaning of His, the Almighty's, saying: "Say, 'Indeed, my prayer, my rites of sacrifice, my living and my dying are for Allah, Lord of the worlds. No partner has He. And this I have been commanded, and I am the first of the Muslims'"? Does this verse mean that every intention must be for the sake of pleasing Allah, and everything else besides that among intentions is considered shirk? And is seeking benefit with an intention solely for a worldly purpose forbidden and an act of associating partners with Allah?

Ordinary matters, such as weight loss and perfuming oneself, if done for a worldly benefit, entail no sin. However, one is not rewarded for them unless the intention is to draw closer to Allah, such as intending to gain strength thereby for His obedience. Some scholars have differentiated between intrinsic and transitive acts regarding the attainment of reward. Transitive acts, such as benefiting one's family or farming, may be rewarded for the Muslim even without conscious intention. As for the Almighty’s saying: "Say, 'Indeed, my prayer, my rites of sacrifice, my living and my dying are for Allah, Lord of the worlds. No partner has He,'” this does not indicate the obligation of intending to draw closer to Allah in every action, but rather in acts of worship, not in ordinary habits. Therefore, continuing to lose weight for a worldly benefit is permissible and not considered polytheism, even though intending Allah's countenance in every action is better and more rewarding. Ignorance of the ruling in these matters is not considered obsessive whispering unless one indulges in it after knowing the guidelines.