Confirm Dr. Ali Fakhr, Fatwa Secretary at the Egyptian Fatwa HouseAchieving a balance between the requirements of daily life and religious commitment does not require difficulty or complexity, but rather begins with “reforming the intention” and its devotion to God Almighty, explaining that a Muslim can transform his daily actions and habits into acts of worship that will be rewarded if they are combined with good intentions.
During his speech on the “Fatawa Al-Nas” program, Fakhr explained that the concept of “repairing the intention” is based on invoking the intention of getting closer to God in the various affairs of life, whether during work, striving for livelihood, or caring for the family, indicating that Islam does not separate religion from the world, but rather makes worldly deeds a means of getting closer to God if the intention is correct.
Good intentions are the basis for accepting actions
The Fatwa Secretary pointed out that intention is the criterion that gives work its value and reward, explaining that when a person goes out to work with the intention of earning a lawful livelihood, spending on his family, and abstaining from asking people, then he is engaging in an act of worship for which he will be rewarded.
He added that spending time with the family, taking care of the children, and striving to provide them with a decent life are all acts that fall under the category of acts of obedience if they are linked to a sincere will to seek the pleasure of God Almighty.
Protection from hypocrisy and preoccupation with the world
Dr. Ali Fakhr emphasized that a good intention represents a bulwark for a Muslim from falling into hypocrisy or bragging in front of people, pointing out that the place of the intention is the heart, and it is not required to utter it in all circumstances.
He explained that many actions that some consider to be purely daily habits, such as eating, drinking, working, and spending, turn into acts of worship when a Muslim intends them to strengthen obedience and perform the rights owed to himself, his family, and his community.
Good deeds are not limited to rituals
The Fatwa Secretary at the Egyptian Fatwa House stressed that the concept of worship in Islam is broader than performing devotional rituals only, as it includes every useful work that a person performs with sincerity, mastery, and seeking the face of God.
He added that a Muslim who seeks to benefit people through his work, and strives to perform his professional and family duties honestly and sincerely, will receive reward as long as his work is linked to good intentions.
He concluded his speech by emphasizing that correcting intentions is one of the most important keys that help a person combine success in the affairs of this world with winning the reward of the afterlife, pointing out that devotion to God makes a Muslim’s entire life a field for worship and good deeds.
