The Purification of the Soul: The Nature of Intention
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Identifier: http://www.jannah.org/articles/purific2.html
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Subject: tazkiyah
Title: The Purification of the Soul: The Nature of Intention
Created on: Wed Dec 26 14:20:10 -0500 2007
Updated on: Wed Dec 26 14:20:10 -0500 2007
Version: 1
Abstract: ... Allah has required of us."(4) Some of our predecessors said: "Many small actions are made great by the intentions behind them. Many great actions, on the other hand, are made small because the intentions behind them are lacking." Yahya Ibn Abu Kathir said: "Learn about intentions, for their importance is greater than the importance of actions." Ibn Umar once heard a man who was putting on his ihram say: "O Allah! I intend to do the Hajj and Umrah." So he said to him: "Is it not in fact the people whom you are informing of your intention? Does not Allah already know what is in your heart?"(5) It is because good intentions are exclusively the concern of the heart, that they should not be voiced during worship. The Excellence of Knowledge and Teaching There are many proofs in the Qur'an concerning the excellence of knowledge and its tranmission. Allah, the Mighty and Glorious, says: "Allah will raise up to high ranks those of you who believe and those who have been given knowledge. (58:11)" And also: "Are those who know equal to those who do not know? (39:9) Also , in the Hadith, the Prophet (saw) says, "When Allah desires good for someone, He gives him understanding of the deen."(6) He (saw) also said, "Allah makes the way to the Garden easy for whoever treads a path in search of knowledge."(7) Travelling on the path to knowledge refers both to walking along an actual pathway, such as going on foot to the assemblies of the ulama', as well as to following a metaphysical road, such as studying and memorising. The above saying of the Prophet (saw) probably means that Allah makes learning the useful knowledge that is sought after easier for the seeker, clearing the way for him and smoothing his journey. Some of our predecessors used to say: "Is there anyone seeking knowledge, so that we can assist him in finding it?" This hadith also alludes to the road leading to the Garden on the Day of Judgement, which is the straight path and to what precedes it and what comes after it. Knowledge is also the shortest path to Allah. Whoever travels the road of knowledge reaches Allah and the Garden by the shortest route. Knowledge also clears the way out of darkness, ignorance, doubt and scepticism. This is why Allah called His Book, "Light". Al-Bukhari and Muslim have reported on the authority of Abdullah ibn Umar that the Messenger of Allah (saw) said: "Truly, Allah will not take away knowledge by snatching it away from people, but by taking away the lives of the people of knowledge one by one until none of them survive. Then the people will adopt ignorant ones as their leaders. They will be asked to deliver judgements and they will give them without knowledge, with the result that they will go astray and lead others astray." When 'Ubadah ibn as-Samit was asked about this hadith he said: If you want, I will tell y... [Full Article...]
