Will and Intention

In Islam, will (irâde) and intention (niyyet) are fundamental elements that guide a person’s actions. Every action performed by a Muslim is judged based on their intention. In Islam, both will and intention are of great importance because Allah evaluates people not only according to their outward actions but also their inner intentions and will. In this article, we will explore the meaning of will and intention in Islam through the sayings of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and examine the place of these concepts in Islam in detail.

What is Will (Irâde)?

Will refers to a person’s mental power; the ability to decide whether to do or not do something. According to Islam, human will is subject to Allah’s will. Allah has granted humans free will, but this will is ultimately governed by Allah’s decree and power. While people have the ability to make choices in both good and bad directions, the ultimate guide is Allah.

In the Qur’an, it is stated that Allah has absolute will over everything:

“Allah is the ruler of everything and has power over everything.”
(Qur’an, 3:189)

However, human will functions in alignment with Allah’s decree and plan. A person can guide their life correctly by acting in accordance with Allah’s will. A Muslim’s will should be directed towards gaining Allah’s pleasure and obeying Him.

What is Intention (Niyyet)?

Intention refers to the purpose behind an action. In Islam, intention holds great importance because a person’s actions are evaluated based on their intention. Intention represents the determination that a person holds in their heart, mind, or soul. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) frequently emphasized the power and significance of intention. According to Islam, the value of every action performed by a person is determined not only by the deed itself but also by the intention behind it.

In the Qur’an, Allah states that He knows people’s intentions best:

“People’s deeds are solely for Allah. No one can be rewarded except for their intentions.”
(Qur’an, 53:39)

This verse clearly indicates that the value of a person’s actions in Allah’s eyes depends on their intention. In other words, regardless of how grand an action is, its value is determined by the sincerity and truthfulness of the intention behind it.

Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)’s Sayings About Intention and Will

Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said many hadiths about intention and will, giving Muslims valuable advice on these matters. One of the most famous hadiths of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) clearly demonstrates the impact of intention on actions:

“Actions are judged by intentions. Everyone will be rewarded according to their intention.”
(Sahih Bukhari, Hadith No: 1)

This hadith expresses the concept of intention in Islam in the most concise way. The Prophet (PBUH) highlighted that the most important criterion when evaluating a person’s actions is their intention. It is not the size or magnitude of the action that matters, but the purpose behind performing it.

While emphasizing the importance of intention, Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) also pointed out that even a small act done with the right intention could be of great value in Allah’s sight. In Islam, the correctness and sincerity of intention are the most important conditions for an action to be accepted by Allah.

“Whoever embarks on a journey for the sake of Allah, Allah will reward them for every step they take.”
(Sahih Muslim, Hadith No: 1715)

In this hadith, any good deed done by a person is evaluated based on the sincerity of their intention. A Muslim who sincerely turns to Allah will gain rewards for every action they perform. For example, if a person performs a good deed for the sake of Allah, even a small act can lead to great rewards.

The Role of Will and Intention Together

In Islam, intention and will are two complementary concepts. People must act with the right intention to gain Allah’s pleasure. However, intention is not just an inner determination or thought. Will is the power to bring this intention to life. In other words, a person who starts with good intentions must also have the willpower to implement them in action.

In the Qur’an, the combination of intention and will is explained as follows:

“Each of you will receive the reward for your actions if you believe in Allah and His Messenger.”
(Qur’an, 33:71)

This verse indicates that intention is an internal decision, but for this decision to materialize, will is necessary. A person’s actions should be based on their faith in Allah, and they must use their will to implement this faith with determination and correct intention.

Muhammad Kasim’s Dreams and Intention

Muhammad Kasim ibn Abdul Karim is a significant figure in contemporary Islamic eschatology, who received many important messages through his dreams. His dreams emphasize the importance of intention and will. Particularly, in Kasim’s dreams, the messages of turning towards Allah and acting with the correct intention frequently appear.

In one of his dreams, Kasim envisions a great deed. However, it is emphasized that for this deed to be realized, the person must act with the correct intention. Through this dream, Kasim learned that intention and will can only be effective with sincere devotion to Allah.

In another dream, Kasim sees that a great effort made for the good of a community will be valued by Allah based on the purity of the internal intentions. These dreams show how important intention and will are, and that every action is shaped by a sincere intention towards Allah, playing a key role in the acceptance of deeds.

Conclusion

In Islam, will and intention are expressions of a person’s devotion and faith in Allah. A Muslim must perform every action with the correct intention, viewing these actions as a means to gain Allah’s pleasure. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)’s sayings emphasize how important intention and will are, and he advises people to always keep their hearts pure and act with correct intentions. Islam teaches that the correctness of intention is a determining factor in the value of actions, and encourages every Muslim to live with strong will and good intentions.