Sincerity and Intention
This subtopic gathers questions on sincerity, intention and riya, doing a good deed so people notice and praise it. It also holds presence of heart and its hardness, and renewing the intention in worship and daily deeds.
Questions readers ask here:
- I fear nothing in the world, why is that? Has the heart died?
- Is the spouses' mention to each other of their good deeds considered a form of showing off?
- When is a servant's deed accepted, and what conditions make a righteous deed accepted by Allah?
- Is a suitor's mention that he has memorized the Quran to his fiancée's father considered showing off?
Showing off asked as a question of creed belongs mainly under Oneness of God.
69 questions
Is the Muslim's intention to do what is most pleasing to Allah, most beneficial, and most beloved to Him—when he is perplexed whether to proceed with something or refrain from it, given people's differing opinions about it—sufficient for Allah to open his heart to what he intends?
How can one reconcile the fact that intention (niyyah) is the resolve to do something and does not require its recollection before the act, with the multiplicity of intentions before worship for those with excuses or in charitable acts?
If hypocrisy (riya') befalls the Imam and he indulges in it without repelling it, is he obligated to interrupt his prayer and appoint someone else to lead, due to the invalidity of his prayer?
How was the intention during the time of the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, and what is its simple definition?
Is one who performs the obligatory prayer at the beginning of its prescribed time out of ostentation, without being aware of this ostentation, considered sinful, and is his prayer nullified?
Does the prayer become invalid if the worshipper imagines forbidden images in his mind, despite seeking refuge with Allah from Satan?
Can the light in prayer be physically felt by some people, in addition to it being spiritual? If so, what are the ways to magnify this light, and what are its characteristics?
What are the obligatory and recommended matters concerning sincerity and intentions, and is it necessary to perform heartfelt actions before prayer, ablution, and ritual bathing?
How can one achieve devotion (khushu') in prayer, and is contemplating God's verses a means to that, and what are the ways to get rid of Satan's whispers in it, especially during prostration and bowing?
How can one achieve humility and devotion in prayer, and is prayer considered unacceptable if humility and devotion are not maintained throughout it?
Is it necessary to repeat the prayer if one feels rivalry and competition while performing it, even if the pillars and duties are maintained?
Is devotion in prayer merely a psychological feeling, or is it a connection between the servant and his Lord, and how do non-Muslims feel it?
How do we apply the Hadith "Deeds are but by intentions" to the Hadith "Indeed, a servant may utter a word pleasing to Allah, not thinking much of it, but Allah raises him by it in ranks. And indeed, a servant may utter a word displeasing to Allah, not thinking much of it, but it casts him into Hell"?
How do I sincerely make God my goal in everything, and not a false pretense?
Is humility (khushu') required in supererogatory (nafl) prayers and regular sunnah prayers, similar to the obligatory prayers for which a person will be held accountable on the Day of Judgment?
Is it obligatory to repeat a prayer—whether a fard or a nafl—due to excessive daydreaming and the worshiper's unawareness of what was recited therein?
Is feigning ablution and prayer in front of one's parents, for fear of their discovering an act of adultery, considered hypocrisy that expels one from the religion?
Is it permissible to work as a muezzin with the intention of remaining steadfast in religion and maintaining congregational prayers, along with the intention of securing a monthly income and housing that facilitates marriage, and does the presence of the second intention affect the primary intention?
Is a Muslim's feeling of humility and brokenness during prostration considered a prompting from Satan?
Is the one who is compelled to pray due to health or social circumstances, and who finds no devotion in it, considered sinful, and will Allah excuse Muslims due to unbearable hardship?
Is the prayer of one who started praying in response to a marriage proposal condition accepted?
What is your interpretation of my situation and ruling, and how can I rid myself of the daily dreams and worldly thoughts that accompany me during prayer, especially considering that I am 16 years old?
Is it permissible to verbalize the intention secretly in the heart, such as saying "I intend to perform ablution," or "I intend to perform ghusl," or "I intend to pray Asr"?
Is each of the following considered shirk (polytheism) in intention and invalidates prayer: rushing through it due to waiting for others or fearing their mockery for prolonging prayer due to obsessive thoughts, or being careful not to wet the floor with water during ablution so as not to inconvenience others, or using a special prayer rug to avoid people's comments despite not minding praying on the ground?