{"_id":"682ce5e993563519c0afda3b","title":"{\"ops\":[{\"insert\":\"Do we have to make an intention to please Allah or is it enough to just obey Him?\\n\"}]}","question":"{\"ops\":[{\"insert\":\"In the Shafi'i school of law, do you always have to state your intention? Or is it sufficient if the ultimate goal is to please Allah?\\n\\nFor example: Someone goes to work because Allah SWT has obligated the man to work in order to pay nafaqa to his wife. The man does it because Allah swt has commanded it, and therefore the man hopes for His approval.\\n\\nBut what if my goal, my intention, is to acquire a lot of money and material value, but I adhere to Allah's commandments and prohibitions? Will I still receive a reward from Allah?\\n\"}]}","answer":"{\"ops\":[{\"insert\":\"The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: \"},{\"attributes\":{\"italic\":true},\"insert\":\"“Actions are only by intentions, and every person will have only what they intended. So whoever's migration was for Allah and His Messenger, then his migration is for Allah and His Messenger. But whoever's migration was for worldly gain or to marry a woman, then his migration is for what he migrated for.” \"},{\"insert\":\"[\"},{\"attributes\":{\"link\":\"https://sunnah.com/bukhari:6689\"},\"insert\":\"Bukhārī\"},{\"insert\":\"]\\n\\nThe takeways from the ḥadīth are:\\nEvery deed is judged by its underlying intention\"},{\"attributes\":{\"list\":\"bullet\"},\"insert\":\"\\n\"},{\"insert\":\"Even the same outward act, like hijrah, may be rewarded differently based on what the person hoped to gain.\"},{\"attributes\":{\"list\":\"bullet\"},\"insert\":\"\\n\"},{\"insert\":\"The ḥadīth is foundational for all matter of worship, daily dealings, and spiritual discipline.\"},{\"attributes\":{\"list\":\"bullet\"},\"insert\":\"\\n\"},{\"insert\":\"\\nThat said, for worldly, like going to work, eating, and exercising, they do not require a specific intention for validity, because they are not acts of ritual worship (ʿibādah) like prayers and fasting, but they can become acts of worship if they are done with the intention of fulfilling or pleasing Allah.\\n\\nSo in your example, if someone works because Allah has obligated him to provide for his family, and he keeps this in mind (even if only in a general sense), then his work becomes a rewardable act. Even if he doesn’t consciously say, “I am doing this for Allah,” the fact that he’s motivated by Allah’s command is sufficient for reward.\\n\\nIf your primary intention is material gain, but you still avoid ḥarām and fulfill your obligations, then you are not sinning. But, you might not receive reward from Allah for the act unless you renew your intention.\\n\\nA short duʿāʾ you can say to renew your intention before starting daily work:\\n\"},{\"attributes\":{\"italic\":true},\"insert\":\"O Allah, make this work of mine purely for Your sake, bless it for me, and grant me sincerity and acceptance in it.\"},{\"insert\":\"\\n\"}]}","tags":[{"_id":"668d9ff00b76658b4c2329a9","tag":"Contemporary Life: Jobs and Career","count":120},{"_id":"668d9fe30b76658b4c232829","tag":"Worship: Dua","count":109},{"_id":"668d9ff20b76658b4c2329d9","tag":"Worship: Intention","count":103},{"_id":"668d9ff70b76658b4c232a7b","tag":"Worship: Sins","count":100},{"_id":"668d9fe30b76658b4c232823","tag":"Worship: Remembrance","count":40}],"createdOn":"2025-05-20T20:28:25.333Z"}