Renew your intention for Allah
“Whatever the individual intends is what will happen.”
Sincere intention for Allah directs our actions and endings, so believers should continually renew their intentions and prioritize the afterlife.
The khutbah in 7 steps
- Introduces the hadith that actions are judged by intentions and explains intention as the direction of a deed.
- Contrasts Abu Talib’s outward support for the Prophet with Umar’s initially misguided but ultimately sincere concern.
- Shows how ordinary work, prayer, honesty, humility, and avoiding harm become worship when done for Allah.
- Uses Iblis as an example of outward piety ruined by pride and corrupted intention.
- Explains that good intentions bring reward, while repentance can erase sins after wrongdoing.
- Warns against worldly distraction through Umar’s concern for the Prophet’s simple life and emphasis on the akhirah.
- Concludes with accountability for every deed, including those as small as an atom, and prayers for steadfastness.
In the khateeb's words
“Whatever the individual intends is what will happen, the direction that they truly want to go in.”
“Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala gives us exactly what it is we seek. depending on what it is we're seeking.”
“If we strive for things in this life, we're gonna get them. They're not gonna make us as happy as what Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala has for us in the afterlife.”
For the dinner table
Today’s khutbah taught that our intentions give direction to our actions and shape where they lead. The speaker contrasted Abu Talib, who protected the Prophet for family honor, with Umar, whose sincere concern ultimately led him to Islam and great service. We were reminded that work, prayer, honesty, humility, and helping others can become worship when done for Allah. The afterlife should matter more than worldly status, because even tiny good and bad deeds will be accounted for. We can renew our intentions, avoid harming people, repent after mistakes, and make dua for others.
- What is one ordinary task you could turn into worship by changing your intention?
- How can we remember the akhirah when worldly success starts to feel most important?
- What does sincere intention look like in the way we treat other people?
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