A Beautiful Mind

Taking our Intentions to the Next Level and Beyond

Most of us are familiar with the ever so famous hadith that actions are taken to account by their intentions (maybe it’s about time we memorized it eh? – hint hint, wink wink, yes YOU!)

Most of us struggle with our intentions day in and day out and – subhan’Allah (glorified is God) – we’ve found that it’s no easy task; in fact, it’s a life long battle. One aspect we often miss, however, is that our actions are also judged by the size of our intentions! As recorded by Imam Bukhari, `Aisha radiya Allahu `anha (may God be pleased with her) narrated: Allah’s Apostle ﷺ said, “When a woman gives in charity some of the foodstuff (which she has in her house) without spoiling it, she will receive the reward for what she has spent, and her husband will receive the reward because of his earning, and the storekeeper will also have a reward similar to it. The reward of one will not decrease the reward of the others.” Allahu akbar (God is greater!)

Someone once mentioned to me that Islam is the best pyramid scheme ever, subhan’Allah, nobody loses! As humans we are often shortsighted and fail to see beyond the obvious. Our actions have implications much beyond our perception and Allah readily rewards us for those benefits. When we gain knowledge do we gain it solely for our benefit or also for the benefit of our family and friends? When we help a brother or sister move do we look beyond the labor and see the growth of a family and community? When we donate to a charity organization do we donate for that one time or do we also donate to the success of the organization? Imagine the individuals who first financed and put time into Islamic Relief! Talk about return on investment! When we give da`wah (call to Islam) do we give da`wah to one person or to an entire family, lineage, and social network?

So what are we waiting for? Let’s make our intentions grand!