What is ikhlaas?
Ulama Institute #1
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• In Islam, ikhlaas has to do with having a sincere intention. The Muslim’s intention is pure if his acts are done for the sake of Allah ﷻ , in the hope that Allah ﷻ will reward him/her.
• To do something only for the sake of Allah ﷻ means that whatever a person does should be only to seek Allah’s ﷻ pleasure. Primarily, it should not be done with any other motive or intention.
Muslims must stay away from all forbidden things and try to do all types of good and kind actions. They must fulfill everyone’s rights in seeking Allah’s ﷻ reward. If Muslims do it in this way, then they will please Allah ﷻ .
Muslims can gain ikhlaas by:
– Not showing off.
– Not doing good actions only for the purpose of gaining riches.
– Not doing anything for the sake of pleasing any creation. Muslims should do actions for the sake of pleasing Allah ﷻ and gaining His favor and blessings.
Whatever you do should be for the sake of Allah ﷻ
When you please your parents,
When you help a blind man across the street,
When you give a poor man sadaqah,
When you perform your Salah,
When you read the Qur’aan beautifully,
When you build a well in a poor land,
When you build a masjid in a faraway land,
When you earn money for your daily needs…
All this must be only for the pleasure of Allah ﷻ and to seek the reward from Him alone.
“Discussion:”
- Name three ways in which Muslims can gain Ikhlaas ?
- A man gave some money in charity, and another man prayed in the masjid, but both of them did not get any reward from Allah. Can you think of a few reasons why they were not rewarded for their actions.
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The Significance of Ikhlaas
Understanding the significance of Ikhlaas
- Ikhlaas is the basis of worship. Allah ﷻ will not accept any worship that is not done only for Him. If worship is done for anyone other than Allah ﷻ , then it will not be accepted.
- Actions that are done with a sincere intention and for the sake of Allah ﷻ will be rewarded by Allah ﷻ .
- If the intention for any act is to please Allah ﷻ follow the Sunnah, it will be a virtuous act. But if the intention is to worship or please others or to show off, the act will have no virtue.
- Acts of worship and other good deeds must be based on knowledge and ikhlaas. Ikhlaas comes from the heart.
- Those who do good deeds Deeds and fulfill their religious duties with pure and clean intentions will be rewarded by Allah ﷻ .
A man came to the Prophet ﷺ , and asked, “What is the position of a man who has gone to battle wanting to be paid and be talked of for it.” The Prophet ﷺ replied, “He has nothing.” He then said, “Indeed Allah ﷻ accepts nothing except what was done with ikhlaas for His sake.” (Al-Bukhaari)
The Messenger of Allah ﷻ said, “If anybody comes on the Day of Resurrection who has said: ‘Laa ilaaha illallaah, sincerely, with the intention to win Allah’s ﷻ Pleasure, Allah ﷻ will make the Hell-Fire forbidden for him.” (Al-Bukhaari)
The Prophet ﷺ said, “The happiest people to get my intercession (asking Allah ﷻ for them not to be punished) are those who said, ‘Laa ilaaha illa-llaah’ with ikhlaas from their hearts or themselves.” (Al-Bukhaari)
“Discussion:”
- Which two things are needed for acts of worship and good actions ?
