Importance of Ikhlas (Sincerity and Intentions)

Importance of Ikhlas (Sincerity and Intentions)

Speaker: Shaykh Mohammed Faqih

Opening

السَّلَامُ عَلَيْكُمْ وَرَحْمَةُ اللَّهِ وَبَرَكَاتُهُ

(بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَٰنِ الرَّحِيمِ - bismillahir-rahmanir-rahim)

Khutbat al-Hajah (Opening Sermon)

إِنَّ الْحَمْدَ لِلَّهِ ، نَحْمَدُهُ وَنَسْتَعِينُهُ، وَنَسْتَغْفِرُهُ وَنَسْتَهْدِيهِ، وَنَعُوذُ بِاللهِ تَعَالَى مِنْ شُرُورِ أَنْفُسِنَا، وَمِنْ سَيِّئَاتِ أَعْمَالِنَا ، مَنْ يَهْدِهِ اللهُ فَلَا مُضِلَّ لَهُ، وَمَنْ يُضْلِلْ فَلَا هَادِيَ لَهُ

وَأَشْهَدُ أَنْ لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللهُ، وَحْدَهُ لَا شَرِيكَ لَهُ، وَأَشْهَدُ أَنَّ مُحَمَّدًا عَبْدُهُ وَرَسُولُهُ، وَصَفِيُّهُ مِنْ بَيْنِ خَلْقِهِ وَخَلِيلُهُ، بَلَغَ الرِّسَالَةَ، وَأَدَّى الْأَمَانَةَ، وَنَصَحَ لِهَذِهِ الْأُمَّةِ، صَلَوَاتُ اللَّهِ وَسَلَامُهُ عَلَيْهِ

يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا اتَّقُوا اللَّهَ حَقَّ تُقَاتِهِ وَلَا تَمُوتُنَّ إِلَّا وَأَنتُم مُّسْلِمُونَ

Surah Ali 'Imran 3:102

يَا أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ اتَّقُوا رَبَّكُمُ الَّذِي خَلَقَكُم مِّن نَّفْسٍ وَاحِدَةٍ وَخَلَقَ مِنْهَا زَوْجَهَا وَبَثَّ مِنْهُمَا رِجَالًا كَثِيرًا وَنِسَاءً وَاتَّقُوا اللَّهَ الَّذِي تَسَاءَلُونَ بِهِ وَالْأَرْحَامَ إِنَّ اللَّهَ كَانَ عَلَيْكُمْ رَقِيبًا

Surah An-Nisa 4:1

Introduction: The Importance of Ikhlas

And as part of this extraordinary community, I find myself compelled to remind myself and my fellow congregants of the importance of ikhlas, of the importance of maintaining sincerity in our actions, of the importance of our intentions, for it is based on the intentions that we have and how sincere we are in whatever we do that we will be accepted and blessed.

The Hadith Qudsi: Allah Accepts No Partners

The Prophet in the hadith tells us that Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala the almighty says that he is the most sufficient and least in need of any entity that someone does something for:

Reference: Sahih Muslim, Hadith 2985

"I am the most self-sufficient of all partners from the need of any partnership. So whoever does anything in which he associates someone else with Me, I abandon him and his association."

Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala says that I don't need anything, I'm the least in need for any action in which someone dedicates that action to someone other than me. So Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala does not accept to be associated or to be partnered with anyone else.

If there is something that you want to do for Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala, it better be purely done for Allah 'azza wa jal.

The Hadith: Actions Are by Intentions

And we know also from the famous hadith of Umar radiallahu anhu that he reports when he said:

Reference: Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith 1; Sahih Muslim, Hadith 1907

"I heard the Messenger of Allah saying: Actions are judged or they are based on the intentions behind them and the individual will get whatever they intended."

The Hadith: Those Who Enter Hellfire for Show

And we know from the hadith of Abu Huraira that Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala will bring people who did actions in this life that they claimed were for Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala.

But then Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala will ask them why they did it. Why did you memorize the Quran? Why did you recite the Quran? Why did you give whatever amount you gave? Why did you struggle or fight fee sabeelillah and lose your life in the way of Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala?

And when these individuals make claims that are not authentic, that are not real, Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala will reveal to them that he was well aware, that he has been well aware of their real intentions. You did it so that it would be said qari, so that you can have that title.

You did it so that you would be referred to as the most generous person. You did it so that you would be praised for your bravery and your courage. And it was said so.

And you have nothing with me. Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala will inform that individual and that individual will be taken to hell fire. This hadith terrifies me.

And it should terrify every sincere believer.

Everything Can Be Dedicated to Allah

The Prophet in a hadith told us, brothers and sisters be mindful of this, there are certain actions that should be devoted and dedicated to none other than Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala. However, generally speaking, there is nothing that we do in life except that we can dedicate to Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala.

There is nothing good that we do or nothing bad that we stay away from except that we can dedicate that to Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala. Not only should we dedicate it to Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala, it's not worth for that action to be dedicated to other than Allah 'azza wa jal. There isn't anyone in this life, there is nothing in this life that is worthy of you dedicating that action to except Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala.

"Say: Indeed, my prayer, my rites of sacrifice, my living and my death are for Allah, Lord of the worlds."

To Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala.

Actions That Must Be for Allah Alone

However, there are things as I said that can only be dedicated to Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala. And in the hadith we are told that if anyone does something that should be dedicated to Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala for other than Allah 'azza wa jal will not find the smell of Jannah.

Examples: worship should be only dedicated to Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala. And the Prophet warned us from shirk khafi, from that hidden shirk, from a form of shirk that may be minor but if it's consistent then it's very destructive. The Prophet said that he feared that for his ummah.

And in a hadith he feared that for his ummah more than he feared Dajjal for his ummah. To show off, to do something or to worship or to do an act of goodness or virtue for other than Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala or to show off or to be recognized or to get more likes or to have more followers or to be popular. However there are certain things that if they are dedicated to other than Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala it's the most destructive behavior or pattern an individual can find himself or herself in.

Reference: Sunan Abi Dawud, Hadith 3664; Sunan Ibn Majah, Hadith 252

"Whoever seeks knowledge for other than Allah will not smell the fragrance of Jannah."

And seeking knowledge is a great example of that in addition to worship. And seeking knowledge in and of itself has the capacity to help you change and purify your intention. And that's why one of the early scholars was reported to have said:

"We sought knowledge for other than Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala but it refused to be for other than Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala and it helped us purify our intentions."

Giving charity is another example of actions that should be only dedicated to Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala.

The Generosity of Allah: Intention and Reward

My dear brothers and sisters, I remind myself and you of the importance of purifying our intentions and the importance of having good intention to begin with. Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala is so generous. He is full of grace. If someone intends to do something even if they don't get to carry out the action. Even if they don't get to accomplish it.

So long they were sincere. If the project doesn't finish for some reason. If they don't live long enough to accomplish it.

Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala will reward them for whatever their intention was. And that we find in the hadith of the Prophet. That if someone intends to do something and they actually do it, Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala will reward them and he will multiply their reward ten times.

And if someone intends to do something but they don't get to do it, Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala will still reward them. And if someone intends to do something evil and stays away from it for the sake of Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala, Allah will reward them. And if someone intends to do something evil and they actually do it, Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala will hold them accountable for one bad deed.

And this hadith shows the power of intention.

The Story of the Three Men in the Cave

The Prophet—and I want our young children to pay attention to this story-he told us about a story. It's not a metaphor. It's a real story. Something that happened to three individuals long time ago.

And the Prophet did not specify the time period or the place. But he told us that there were three individuals.

Three men.

That were traveling together. And somewhere along their journey it started to rain. And that thunderstorm caused them to seek shelter.

So the Prophet said that these three men went and they found a cave. And as soon as they entered the cave, a huge piece of rock, a boulder came rolling down. And it settled at the opening or the mouth of that cave, blocking it.

And now they were trapped inside. They can't get out. And they realized that if they can't move this rock, if they can't somehow manage to escape, they will die there. And then they said to themselves:

Maybe perhaps the only thing that can save us from this is to ask Allah jalla jalaluhu to save us by the virtue of our most sincere actions. By the virtue of our most sincere actions.

The First Man: Love for His Parents

So the first man sat down. And he started begging Allah jalla jalaluhu. And he started telling Allah jalla jalaluhu the story of how he used to be so kind, and respectful, and loving and caring towards his parents.

"Allah jalla jalaluhu, they were very old and frail. And I used to take care of them. And I loved them." And this is someone whose love for his parents was real. It was authentic. It was sincere. He didn't do it out of obligation. He did it because he really loved them.

And he cared about them. So much so that he said, "Oh Allah, I had developed the habit of not eating or consuming anything before my parents. And one day I came home late. And my parents had fallen asleep. And I didn't want to break my habit. I couldn't."

"Oh Allah, I couldn't. I couldn't eat or enjoy the meal before my parents. And at the same time, I didn't want to disturb them."

And while he was standing there, with this emotional struggle of his, he ended up standing there long enough until they actually woke up. So he was struggling all night long. With the thought of, should I wake them up? Or should I give this food to my children? What should I do? And it took so long that they actually slept through the night and then they woke up.

And when they woke up, he said, "I gave them the milk. Oh Allah, if I did that for your sake, save us from this."

And the Prophet said that the rock actually moved. However, it didn't move far enough. And the opening was not big enough for them to escape. However, they knew that they were on the right track.

The Second Man: Protecting Chastity

And the second man asked Allah jalla jalaluhu and said, "Oh Allah, I had intended to have a lawful relationship with someone that I was in love with. And when that person came to me desperate for financial help, I offered her that money and I wanted to take advantage of that situation. However, she reminded me of you."

"And she told me to fear you. And oh Allah, I stayed away from that sin and I left the money for her. Oh Allah, if I did that for your sake, save us from this."

And the Prophet said that the rock moved further.

The Third Man: Honoring Trust

And then the third man said, "Oh Allah, you know that I hired a group of men to do some work for me. Laborers that came and they did some work for me. And I gave everyone whatever wage I had promised him. Except for one man who according to some narrations actually was disgruntled."

"And he left because he was not happy. He wanted to get more for his work. So oh Allah, I didn't get to give him the money. And he left. And I took that money and he did not save it, but he rather actually invested it. And that money grew into a huge amount of wealth."

"And when that man came back to me and he asked me for his money, I gave him whatever that money made. So imagine someone left a few dollars with you. And it's good enough for someone to actually save it and keep it. But he actually took it and he invested it and Allah jalla jalaluhu blessed it and it grew into a huge amount of wealth."

"So when that man came to me, oh Allah, and I told him that this is his money, he thought that I was making fun of him. Now this is, mind you, this is all in the hadith. The Prophet is mentioning all these details. This is an intimate conversation that these individuals had with their creator. And Allah jalla jalaluhu revealed that to His Prophet to show us the power of intention."

"Oh Allah, the man came to me and he thought that I was making fun of him. And he said, 'Don't make fun of me.' And I told him, this is your money. This is what it has become. And he took it all. And he did not leave anything behind."

"Oh Allah, if I did that for your sake, save us from this."

The Prophet said, the rock rolled away from the opening. And they were saved.

Conclusion of First Khutbah

I ask Allah jalla jalaluhu to make you and I of those who purify their intention, do whatever they do for His sake, accept from us, forgive our sins, forgive our shortcomings, make us of those who listen and follow the best of what they listen to.

"I say this, and ask Allah jalla jalaluhu to forgive me and you, so ask Him jalla jalaluhu to forgive you. Indeed, He is the Forgiving, the Merciful."

Second Khutbah: The Value of Sincerity

A sincere individual, the least man, someone who cannot bring a lot, but is sincere, brings more value than the most talented hypocrite. What we need in our lives, and what the community needs, brothers and sisters, is sincere individuals who continue to struggle to purify their intentions. Who see Allah jalla jalaluhu in everything that they do.

Who ask themselves the question, am I doing this for the sake of Allah? Or why am I doing this? And try to do it for the right reason.

Allah jalla jalaluhu in the Quran praises those who do whatever they do for the sake of Allah:

"We feed you for the sake of Allah. We seek no reward from you or any payment."

And that's why, whether it is our Prophet or the noble Prophets and Messengers of Allah jalla jalaluhu before him, they taught their followers to always engage those whom they don't seek anything from. To always engage those whom they don't have, someone that cannot necessarily repay you or do anything for you for the sake of Allah jalla jalaluhu. We need to train ourselves to be sincere in whatever we do.

We need to make sure that we are in public as good as we are in private. We need to make sure that we are as kind to those whom we take for granted like our family members or our employees. We are as kind to them as we are to people that we don't want to offend.

We need to make sure, brothers and sisters, that whatever Allah jalla jalaluhu knows of us and about us is something that will make us proud before Him. And instead of obsessing about how people perceive us, we need to make sure that whatever we do, if we believe it's for the sake of Allah jalla jalaluhu and if we believe that it's right, we do it even if it's going to rub some people the wrong way or offend them. We need to make sure that we do all of that while maintaining humility.

And let us not be deceived by the praise of people who come to us and tell us anything that ever happened to them. For only Allah jalla jalaluhu knows.

The Companions and Praise

I conclude by saying the companions of our beloved Prophet Muhammad, whenever someone came to praise them, they used to be offended. They used to find it to be a matter that brings them great level of discomfort. And they would seek refuge in Allah jalla jalaluhu from the evil of such practices. Because they want to maintain the purity of their intentions.

Closing Du'a

I ask Allah jalla jalaluhu to help you and I purify our intentions and accept the little that we do. For whatever we do for Allah jalla jalaluhu, no matter how great and how significant we may think it is, it is little. We ask Allah jalla jalaluhu to bestow His mercy and peace upon those who pass away and our relatives and our loved ones. I ask Allah jalla jalaluhu to grant them maghfirah.

And I ask Allah jalla jalaluhu to grant full recovery and heal those who are wounded or those who are suffering any sickness. I ask Allah jalla jalaluhu to alleviate the pain and the suffering of our brothers and sisters everywhere in the world.

And I ask Allah jalla jalaluhu to bless every single one of you. I ask Allah jalla jalaluhu to bless you and bless your family members and bless your livelihood and your wealth and your health. I ask Allah jalla jalaluhu to allow you and I to dedicate whatever we have for His sake and for His pleasure.

Closing Verses

Allah jalla jalaluhu says in the Quran:

اذْكُرُوا اللهَ يَذْكُرْكُمْ وَاشْكُرُوهُ عَلَى نِعَمِهِ يَزِدْكُمْ وَلَذِكْرُ اللَّهِ أَكْبَرُ وَاللَّهُ يَعْلَمُ مَا تَصْنَعُونَ

End of Khutbah