Both The Intent And The Method Must Be Righteous


To have a coherent purpose in carrying out any task is the main pillar for all endeavors. Islam stipulates that the main condition for every deed (to be acknowledged) is for a person to have an upright intention and this is after ensuring that his akidah (creed) is safe and sound. The Propet s.a.w said, “The reward of deeds depends upon the intentions” (Reported by al-Bukhari and Muslim)

Therefore, the same deed is judged differently based on the person’s intention. Someone who falls from a high building because he accidentally slips does not have the same position alongside Allah with someone who falls from a high building because he wants to kill himself. Although those who look at their dead bodies will think that they may have died for the same reason but in the eyes of Allah, there is a difference between the two.

The one who accidentally slips is forgiven by Allah and probably receives rewards from Allah if his intention of being on top of the building is noble whereas the one who kills himself commits a major sin in the eyes of Allah. However, an honest intention is not enough if the means used to achieve it is wrong.

If the person who accidentally slips has deliberately chosen a deadly method to do his work whereas it can be avoided, then his death is regarded as throwing himself into harm and this is forbidden by Allah. Islam does not acknowledge the Robin Hood method that steals from others with the intention to donate to others. In issues concerning politics, economy, specific ibadah (act of worship) and others, the Islamic principle is the same that is the end does not justify the means.

Thus, in Islam, after it is required to have a correct intention, for a deed to be regarded as pious or deserving rewards in Islam is for its means to be correct that is conforming to the guidance from Allah and al-Sunnah. In matters of specific ibadah such as salat, fasting, hajj and the likes of it, the second condition after a good intention is that the deed must be deemed acceptable based on what had been demonstrated by Allah’s Messenger s.a.w.

One who has a good intention but performs a salaat that had never taught by Allah’s Messenger s.a.w is regarded as wrong and contradicts the sunnah. For instance, if someone fabricates a new salaat linking it to a certain event or giving it a specific name such as ‘salaat of reduction in fuel price’ then it is considered wrong albeit the intention is good.

Because of that, it is not surprising to see the ulama vehemently voicing their objections against the newly fabricated acts of worship that are not found stated in any sahih hadith. For instance, the outstanding scholar of Mazhab al-Syafi’I, al-Imam al-Nawawi (deceased in 676H) was being very stern in objecting the Salaat Raghaib that is the salaat specifically performed on the first Friday night in the month of Rejab.

We can see this from his writing when he expounded a hadith from the Prophet s.a.w reported by al-Imam Muslim. From Abi Hurairah r.a, the Prophet s.a.w said, “Do not single out the night (preceding) Friday among the nights for prayer and do not single out Friday among days for fasting but only when anyone among you is accustomed to fast (on dates) which coincide with this day (Friday).” (Reported by Muslim)

Al-Imam al-Nawawi said, “In this hadith, there is a clear prohibition against singling out Friday night to perform a salaat that is not performed in the other nights and to observe fasting during the day as stated. It is a unanimous consensus among the ulama to judge it as makruh (disliked, detested). The ulama use this hadith to provide a contention for attesting the fault of salaat bid’ah called salaat al-Raghaib. May Allah destroy the fabricator and creator of this salaat. This is because it is a wicked bid’ah from the type of bid’ah that is deviant and ignorant. In it is a clear wickedness. Verily, a group of ulama have produced valuable writings that are abundant in condemning and asserting the deviancy of those performing that saalat as well as the fabricator. The ulama have stated the reasoning for the badness and the wickedness and the deviancy of its fabricator.” (Al-Nawawi, Syarh Sahih Muslim, 3/211. Beirut: Dar al-Khair).

Similarly, another scholar of Mazhab al-Syafi’I named al-Imam al-Sayuti (deceased in 910H) also said, “You should know that, may Allah bless you, verily the act of glorifying that day and its night (the day and night of the first Friday in Rejab) is a newly fabricated deed in Islam which emerged after four hundred years. There is a hadith judged as fabricated by the consensus of ulama that narrates the benefits of observing fasting during the day and performing salaat during the night. They call it salaat Raghaib.” He then said, “Know that verily this fabricated salaat contradicts the Islamic way in many forms..” (Al-Sayuti, Al-Amr bi al-Ittiba’ wa al-Nahy ‘an al-Ibtida’ pg. 52. Beirut: Dar al-Fikr ).

We can see that these ulama were being very stern and the words they used were even more burning and harsh in objecting the specific ibadah not originated from the Prophet s.a.w. They all had the same intention that was to preserve the genuineness of this religion of revelation to inhibit meddling by humankind. Allah says (translated as): “What! Have they partners (in godhead), who have established for them some religion without the permission of Allah?” (Surah al-Syura: verse 21)

The Prophet s.a.w said, “He who innovates things in our affairs for which there is no valid (reason) (commits sin) and these are to be rejected.” (Reported by al-Bukhari and Muslim)

I am so fascinated by the dialogue that occurred between al-Imam Malik and a person who aspired to perform a deed that he deemed are more commendable than the deed of the Prophet s.a.w. A man approached al-Imam Malik and said, “O Abu ‘Abd Allah (appellation of al-Imam Malik), which place shall I start my ihram from?” He answered, “From Zu Hulaifah, the same place that Allah’s Messenger s.a.w started his ihram from.”

That man then said, “I would like to start my ihram from the Prophet’s Mosque.” Al-Imam Malik answered, “Do not do that.” That man said, “I would like to start my ihram from the Prophet’s grave.” Al-Imam Malik answered, “Do not do that. I am afraid that fitna (the corruption of religion) will befall you.”

The man asked, “What is the fitna? It is just a distance I am planning to add.” Al-Imam Malik answered, “Is there a bigger fitna than your perception of thinking that you have put forward one good thing in an area where Allah’s Messenger s.a.w had cut down? Verily, I have heard the saying of Allah (translated as): “Then let those beware who withstand the Messenger’s order, lest some trial befall them, or a grievous penalty be inflicted on them.” (Surah al-Nur: verse 63)” (Al-Syatibi, Al-I’tisam, pg. 102 Beirut: Dar al-Kitab al-‘Arabi)

Although the man wanted to start his ihram from a venerable place that was the Prophet’s mosque (s.a.w) or his grave but al-Imam Malik bin Anas objected to it because it was an ibadah never performed by the Prophet s.a.w. He stated that it was fitna because it seemed like the man deemed himself as having the chance to perform a better ibadah than the Prophet s.a.w.

It is clear that a good intention is not enough if the corresponding action is not based on the right guidance. In matters of muamalah or life’s routine, the scope provided by the religion is very vast. It is not as narrow as matters in specific ibadah involving salaat, fasting, dua (recitations of prayer) and the likes of it. Nevertheless, as we keep ourselves occupied with the worldly affairs, let us not perform noble deeds in ways that contradict the principles of Islam.

For instance, the intention of collecting donation for the orphans is commendable. However, if the method includes organizing the kind of concert that promotes negative elements to the youth then it is no longer considered as commendable. This is because the end does not justify the means.

That is why I objected the ceremony of meditation and salutations performed to the National Monument. That ceremony cannot be performed by a Muslim who holds fast to the akidah of genuine tauhid (belief). His intention was probably good that was to commemorate our national heroes but that was not the right way to do it. That ceremony contained a clear element of idolatry. It contradicted the principles of Islamic belief that is uncontaminated from elements of shirk (joining others in worship with Allah).

How else can we regard a ceremony that involves meditation, offering salute and presenting garlands to a statute if not similar to idolatry? Is this kind of ceremony not performed by idol worshippers? If the person performing the ceremony stated that he did not have any conviction or intention that the monument could give any benefit or harm but rather, it was only an empty ceremony then it means that he had performed a worthless and stupid task. At the same time, it is still regarded as haram by syarak since it resembles the religious ceremony of idol worshippers.

If that person thought that the ceremony could bring forth peace and tranquility to the country or bliss to the soul of those heroes then that conviction and deed carries a clear element of shirk. Have we forgotten about the criticism Prophet Ibrahim a.s gave to his people? Allah says (translated as): “We bestowed aforetime on Abraham his rectitude of conduct, and well were We acquainted with him. Behold! He said to his father and his people, “What are these images, to which ye are (so assiduously) devoted?” They said, “We found our fathers worshipping them.” He said, “Indeed ye have been in manifest error - ye and your fathers.”” (Surah al-Anbiya: verse 51-54)

Fatwa was issued at state and national level to rule this deed as haram. Unfortunately, it has been officially resurrected and the Muslim community just keeps mum about it. I am taking the risk to remind all of the Muslims of this matter specifically the new generation whose akidah is starting to slacken.

Do not let them to think that this action is acceptable in embracing the religion just because they see it is being done at higher level. Tomorrow they will probably give their salute or present a garland or fruits to any statue or monument or mound that they regard as holy. Do not anyone who bears religious title try to justify that action. It is hoped that those flatterers or ‘remunerated advisors’ will not cause a downfall.

Have we forgotten about the name of the idols revered by the people of Prophet Nuh a.s. Allah says (translated as): “And They have said (to each other), ‘Abandon not your gods: abandon neither Wadd nor Suwa’, neither Yaguth nor Ya’uq, nor Nasr’ They have already misled many; and grant Thou no increase to the wrong- doers but in straying (from their mark).” (Surah Nuh: verse 23-24)

In a hadith reported by al-Bukhari, Ibn ‘Abbas narrated that the name Wadd, Suwaa, Yaghuth, Ya’uuq and Nasr formerly belonged to some pious men of the people of Noah, and when they died Satan inspired their people to prepare and place idols at the places where they used to sit, and to call those idols by their names. The people did so, but the idols were not worshipped till those people (who initiated them) had died and the origin of the idols had become obscure, whereupon people began worshipping them. (Reported by al-Bukhari)

That is how some matters that start with a good intention can lead to a wicked outcome because there is no analysis done to foresee the outcome of a specific action. Politicians are fond of things that produce instantaneous result for their political gains. Sometimes they even do not have the time to look up the sky and think about the long term effect of their actions.

The Prophet s.a.w gave us this reminder, “He who called (people) to righteousness, there would be reward (assured) for him like the rewards of those who adhered to it, without their rewards being diminished in any respect. And he who called (people) to error, he shall have to carry (the burden) of its sin, like those who committed it, without their sins being diminished in any respect.” (Reported by Muslim)

The execution of a good intention must be done in a righteous manner. This is applicable to the various political issues arising these days. The enthusiasm to change the political landscape must be realized with a good intention and using a virtuous method. Many claim that they have good intentions but we do not know what lies deep in their hearts. We can only see their actions.

Sometimes actions translate the intention buried deep within. Just like the concert in which there was an incident of dropping the pants. Its objective was allegedly noble but we know for sure that the method used was evil and thus, it is valued with a bad evaluation. Again, we are not followers of Robin Hood who legalize all actions that clearly contradict ethical codes only because of slogans or alleged righteous intention