A good read on a Sunday at 7am. Alhamdulilah! As a new Muslim, this was what I needed to read. May Allah bless you.

I have been trying to actively set myself goals for this Ramadhan. What does it mean to utter the words ‘for the sake of Allah?’ this article has really permeated my soul and given me a different perspective on how I should really approach life.
I was able to appreciate the meaning behind some of the phrases in the Quranic text. Please all the Muslims around the world, make dua so that Allah will imprint the love and understanding of Qur’an in all our hearts.
Article has driven motivation in me. Jazakallahu khayran, Ramadhan Kareem.

As Salamu Alaikum!

Jazakum Allahu Khayran for such a detailed and thorough response to my questions. Your thoughtful answer really touched my heart and made me feel better in so many ways.

Regarding my past actions, I now have hope. Insha Allah I can learn from my past, and, in that way, my past can be of use to me and perhaps even be accepted by Allah. And, as you mention, perhaps He can even turn them into good! Allah is indeed the All-Powerful, the Most Merciful, and All Forgiving.

2. Loving for the sake of Allah. With your answer, I understand the concept more intellectually. However, its still a bit of a mystery to me – I think most likely because, thinking about it, I have never to date really loved someone solely for the sake of Allah.

I hope Allah grants me the ability to love others for solely for His sake – I can see that doing so, or even trying to do so, will really help me grow as a person.

Once again, thanks so much for such a comprehensive answer! May Allah reward you greatly.

-Sithara

1.) One of the misunderstood concepts when it comes to being sincere towards Allah in one’s action is that intentions are purified only in the beginning of an action. That once you make the intention, that’s the end of it. In reality, when one undertakes any action, one needs to understand that our intentions are constantly changing and fluctuating. Thus, one needs to renew and purify their intentions before taking an action, during the action itself and after taking that action. For example, if you are planning an event you strive to renew your intentions in the beginning stages of the planning and you constantly renew your intentions as you go through the planning process and the event itself. After the event has passed, you also renew your intentions and ask Allah (swt) to accept from you. Sincerity is an all-encompassing factor of life and the one who strives for it succeeds in this life and the next.

However, when we strive to improve our relationship with Allah (swt) and continue on the journey to Him, we sometimes start to fall down a spiral path, getting stuck in the past instead of moving on. While none of us truly know if our good deeds are accepted, we know our Lord is Allah and He is the Most Merciful and Oft-Forgiving and that it is easy for Him to change our past deeds to good, if we are truly sincere in our repentance and our efforts to be His faithful and committed servant.

Allah (swt) mentions in the Quran:

And perform the Salah, at the two ends of the day and in some hours of the night. Verily, the good deeds remove the evil deeds. That is a reminder for the mindful. And be patient; verily, Allah wastes not the reward of the doers of good. (Qur’an 11:114)

When you start doing good deeds for His Sake, Allah will make it easier for you to continue to do good deeds. When our understanding of what it means to be truly sincere to Allah grows and we strive to live a life of Pleasing Him and doing things only for His Sake, it changes our lifestyle completely. Does this mean that our past deeds are void because they were not done with sincerity for the Sake of Allah? Not necessarily. A sincere individual is constantly worried about whether or not he has fulfilled his duties to Allah (swt). All that is done for the Sake of Allah (swt) remains while everything else perishes for sure. But as Muslims, we have supreme hope in His Love and Forgiveness and know that He is Just. Thus, our past sins can be easily forgiven and our past deeds accepted just as easily by Allah. For example, an individual who performs a complete Hajj that is accepted is as sinless as a newborn child. Isn’t it Allah, the Lord of the seven Heavens and the Earth the One who forgave and wiped his/her slate clean? Then verily, He can also do so with our past deeds. This is why it is crucial to keep renewing our intentions and asking Allah (swt) to grant us sincerity in our actions and to accept from us. Have hope and faith that Allah (swt) will accept those deeds from you and constantly turn to Him to accept from you all the good that you put forth.

2.) To love someone for the Sake of Allah (swt) is to truly appreciate and recognize the worth of an individual because of their connection to their Creator. You love them dearly simply to Please Allah (swt) and because they believe and love Allah. The Prophet (saws) mentioned in a Hadith:

“Anyone who possesses three attributes will experience the sweetness of Iman (Faith): that he loves Allah and His Messenger more than anything else; that he loves someone for the sake of Allah alone; and that he hates the idea of reverting to disbelief, after Allah has released him from it, as much as he would hate being thrown into fire.’ (Sahih al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim)

To love for the Sake of Allah is to realize that the bond between you and the individual is not based on any worldly desire or motive, but based on the One who created your hearts. It is not a bond that is formed merely for one’s benefit, but a bond whose foundation is firmly rooted in the Pleasure of Allah. Keep in mind, that anything done for Allah (swt) remains while all else perishes. It is a love that stems from the simple fact that YOU love Allah (swt) and this person loves Allah. Thus, the believers are all brothers and sisters under the weight of the Shahadah, “There is no god but Allah and Muhammad (saws) is His Messenger”. It doesn’t matter their race, culture, background, wealth, etc. Their love for Allah (swt) and His Messenger (saws) is the basis of your love for them. It is not based on any favors or gifts one receives from individuals, it is not based on how well the person treated you or their character. It is based on Allah, the First and the Last. Thus, when two individuals love each other for the Sake of Allah (swt) their love is pure and endless. For example, look at the love between the Prophet (saws), Abu Bakr (RA), and Umar (RA). They were together in this Dunya, they are buried next to each other in the life of Al-Barzakh (Grave) and they will be together in Jannah bi’ithni Allah. Subhana Allah! It is a beautiful love indeed. To love one for the Sake of Allah is to truly value the creation of Allah, especially His believing Servants and to not be distracted by worldly standards.

When the love of Allah (swt) is the basis for any friendship or relationship, many problems and difficulties are avoided. You fulfill the rights they have upon you and you do not distress or cause them harm. You are motivated to forgive them easily and give them more than 70 excuses if they wronged you. You will make dua for them in their absence and you are a source of support for them, advising them and working together to get closer to Allah (swt).

People who love on another for the Sake of Allah (swt) are amongst the 7 types of people who will receive the Shade of Allah (swt) on Reckoning Day. Abu Hurayrah relates that the Prophet (saws) said:

“Allah will ask on the Day of Judgment: ‘Where are those who loved each other for the sake of My glory? Today, on a day when there is no shade but Mine – I shall shade them with My shade.” [Sahih Muslim]

That’s the power of loving your fellow Muslim brother and sister for the Sake of Allah. Subhana Allah, this is an in-depth topic which I only scratched the surface. If you would like more information or for me to expand on any particular point, please feel free to let me know insha Allah. Anything khair that I have said is from Allah (swt) and anything wrong is from me and Shaytan.

Jazakil Allahu Khairan!

Jazak Allahu Khayran for this awesome article! I’m really trying to change my ways and really trying to do things ‘for the sake of Allah’ so, this article is just what I needed.

Two questions in this regard:
1. Looking back in my life, I found most of what I have done was not for truly for the sake of Allah. Is all of this past completely lost?

2. People are always saying, ‘I love you for the sake of Allah’ – what does this really mean?

Jazakum Allahu Khayran in advance any help!