Q: Recently we've been hearing alot about this 8 intentions. Can you please provide us with a clear response as many people are lost.
The 8 intentions that we should try to do before and during every action however small or big the action is.
1. Oh Allah only you are giving me the Taufeeq to do this Amal (action) and its outcome is only in your hands.
2. Oh Allah I am doing this Amal because it is your command and a Sunnah of Nabi Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam. (Think of some commands of Allah and Sunnahs related to the action)
3. Think of some virtues of the action that are promised by Allah and Nabi Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam.
4. Oh Allah You are watching me, You can hear me, You know what is in my heart and You are with me.
5. Oh Allah I am not fit to do this action. (Think of your sins at this point). Oh Allah all others who are doing this action are your slaves through the blessing of their action accept mine too.
6. Oh Allah I am doing this Amal only for Your pleasure. Grant me the ability to please You and protect me from Your anger.
7. Oh Allah accept this action of mine and make it a means for my Hidayat (guidance) and the Hidayat of humanity till Qiyamah.
8. After the action make Shukr to Allah and Tauba with remorse.
Note: The value of an action will be determined by the intentions it is done with. The intention with which an action is done is more valuable than the action itself. (Hadeeth)
The above are just a few from the many intentions that one can make. (Moulana Ilyaas Rahmatullah Alaih)
A: Making these intentions is not proven in any hadith, and hence does not have any sharee status to be done in any specific way. Therefore, when one is alone and not engaged in any ibaadat, one may make these intentions in his heart.
However, at the time when one is about to commence any ibaadat or one is engaged in the ibaadat (e.g. performing salaah, reciting Quraan, making wudhu, etc) then at that time one should turn his heart towards Allah Ta'ala and be concerned about the ibaadat and action he is doing. At that time, he should not engage his heart in thinking of these eight intentions as this is moving away from the ibaadat which he is engaged in.
While engaged in the ibaadat, the law of Allah Ta'ala is that one should be concerned about fulfilling the ibaadat. For one to be concerned about the eight intentions at that time is moving away from the purpose of that ibaadat and getting engaged in something else. Therefore, this should not be done at that time.
And Allah Ta'ala (الله تعالى) knows best.
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