6:06 Intention is what…8:56 A normal daily…
Prayer & worshipFrom the masjid's own video, Dec 1, 2025.

Good intentions can turn daily acts into worship

SNMC · Isa Ma

“A normal daily activity can become an act of worship through the catalyst of a good niyyah.”

The khateeb, at 8:56

Watch the khutbahFamily kit
In one sentence

Niyyah determines the nature, reward, acceptance, and sincerity of every action, so believers should consciously purify their intentions for Allah.

The khutbah in 6 steps

  1. Defines niyyah as determining an action and its motivation.
  2. Explains how intention distinguishes worship from ordinary actions and differentiates acts of worship.
  3. Shows that intention determines worldly or hereafter rewards and whether deeds are accepted.
  4. Explains that sincere intentions earn reward even when good deeds are prevented.
  5. Offers five methods for developing sincerity, including dua, self-questioning, tawheed, studying righteous people, and hidden worship.
  6. Concludes with reminders about taqwa and prayers for purified hearts and accepted deeds.
Try this week
Ask Allah to purify your intentions and make you sincere.
Before each action, ask what you are doing and why you are doing it.
Renew intentions for eating, sleeping, school, work, visiting others, and consuming media.
Strengthen tawheed and rely on Allah rather than seeking people’s approval.
Study the lives and writings of the Companions and righteous scholars.
Maintain private acts of worship, such as prayer, Quran recitation, and secret charity.
Sources the khateeb cited
Sahih al-BukhariThe hadith that actions are defined by intentions establishes niyyah as foundational.
Sunan an-Nasa'iA man’s sincere intention for martyrdom is fulfilled, illustrating how intention shapes one’s return.
Sahih MuslimAllah rejects deeds performed for Him while seeking another’s reward, grounding the need for sincerity.
Sahih al-BukhariIntended good deeds and abandoned sins can be rewarded, while performed sins receive only one record.
Quotes

In the khateeb's words

“Intention is what differentiates acts of worship From normal daily behavior”
SNMC · Nepean, ON
Play from 6:06
“A normal daily activity Can become An act of worship Through the catalyst Of a good niyyah”
SNMC · Nepean, ON
Play from 8:56
Talk about it at home

For the dinner table

Niyyah means the intention and purpose behind what we do. It helps distinguish worship from ordinary actions, and even eating, sleeping, studying, or working can become worship when done for Allah’s pleasure. Our intentions also affect the reward we receive and whether Allah accepts our deeds. We can build sincerity by asking Allah for help, questioning our purpose before acting, strengthening our trust in Him, learning from righteous people, and keeping some worship private. The goal is to live with hearts that seek Allah rather than people’s praise.

  1. What everyday activity could become worship if you changed your intention?
  2. When might asking “Why am I doing this?” help you make a better choice?
  3. What is one good deed you could keep private this week?
Where it was given

The masjid

South Nepean Muslim Community3020 Woodroffe Ave, Nepean, ON K2J 4G3Jumu'ah 12:00 PM & 1:15 PMKhateebIsa MaMore khutbahsArchiveAll khutbahs at SNMC58 khutbahs
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