We’ve all had those moments: staring at a blank page before a big project, standing at the crossroads of a life-changing decision, or whispering a quiet prayer before stepping into the unknown. What separates those who drift through life from those who shape it? Intention.
In Arabic, it’s called niyyah, a word so profound that the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) taught us our actions are judged based on the intentions behind them.
Imagine two people donating to charity. One does it for Instagram views; the other, solely for Allah’s pleasure. The amount may be the same, but their niyyah makes one an act of worship; the other is just a transaction.
Not only that, a study found that people who wrote down their goals were more likely to achieve their goals simply by writing them down. Because when your “why” is rooted in something greater, even mundane tasks carry weight.
Ever noticed how Olympic athletes visualize their wins before competing? That’s intention in motion, which is training the mind before the body. But Islam takes it deeper. With just Bismillah, it’s a mental reset. Starting with Allah’s name aligns your energy with divine will. When it is paired with sincerity (ikhlas), you will be able to withstand more against burnout.
Wishing is Not Intending
People often fall into the trap where they are asking for something without doing anything about it, thinking it will just happen. For example, wishing to start a business is different from actually finding ways to start a business. This is different from intending, where it is paired with actions. Muslims with the right intention will probably say, “I’m taking a course on entrepreneurship this month for Allah’s sake and to serve others.”
Steps to Transforming Niyyah for Success
For someone to succeed, they need to start with the niyyah of doing it for Allah’s sake. However, this intention should be asked daily so the progress is aligned with the right intention. By asking, “Am I doing this for applause or Allah’s pleasure?” we will remind our hearts daily to stay on the right track.
Then, attach every small act to big purposes. Cooking for family? The niyyah would be: “I’m maintaining the Sunnah of family bonds.” When this is frequently done, it becomes a good habit that everything is done for the sake of Allah and also following the sunnah. Always remember to pair intention with action.
There is no such thing as perfection in making progress. If we are not able to make any actions with every intention, it is best to just let go of it. A Hadith Qudsi soothes us: Even an unfulfilled good intention is recorded as a full deed.
Final Reflection: Your Life Is a Mirror of Your Niyyah
The Quran tells us Ibrahim (AS) didn’t just want to build the Ka’aba, but he intended to create a house for humanity to worship Allah. Centuries later, we still circle that same sanctuary.
That’s the power of niyyah: It turns ordinary moments into legacies and daily hustle into worship. So tonight, before you sleep, ask yourself, “If all my actions tomorrow were judged ONLY by my intentions, what would my day look like?” The answer might just reshape your destiny.
