Our intentions matter more than outcomes
“Our lives may be limited, but our intentions are eternal.”
As the new Islamic year begins, believers should judge success by sincere intentions to please Allah rather than outcomes they cannot control, trusting that those intentions endure beyond limited time.
The khutbah in 5 steps
- Frames the new Islamic year through the Hijra and reflection on the past year's success.
- Introduces the prophetic teaching that intention matters more than measurable outcomes.
- Retells the story of charity unknowingly given to a thief, a sinful woman, and a wealthy man.
- Contrasts eternal intentions with a scarcity mindset, overcommitment, and burnout.
- Uses Viktor Frankl's idea of a deep purpose to encourage renewed intentions for 1448.
In the khateeb's words
“Our lives may be limited, but our intentions are eternal.”
“I don't care that I messed up. I care that I did it for your sake, that's all.”
“What if the true KPI is your intention at the end of the day?”
“Whoever has a why, a deep why, a deep intention, they can go through whatever what there is.”
For the dinner table
Today's khutbah reminded us to pay attention to why we do things and to seek Allah's pleasure in our everyday efforts. The khateeb told a story about a man who gave charity three times and thought he kept giving it to the wrong people, but each gift brought good he could not see. He also described how feeling short of time can make us take on too much, become exhausted, and struggle to keep going. He encouraged us to dream big and remember that our sincere intentions matter even when we cannot control the results. As a family, we can renew our intentions when we learn, work, care for one another, and help others.
- What is something kind you could do quietly, like the man who gave charity before daylight?
- When have you tried to help but felt unsure whether it made a difference?
- What intention could you bring to school or helping at home tomorrow?
More on the Islamic calendar
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