اسلامی تعلیمات کی روشنی میں نیت کا مفہوم، اہمیت اور اس کی عصری معنویت

The Concept, Significance, and Contemporary Relevance of Intention (Niyyah) in Light of Islamic Teachings

Abstract

This article presents an analytical study of the Islamic concept of intention (niyyah), its significance in Shariah, and its practical relevance in the contemporary era. In Islam, the value and acceptance of actions are based on intention, as highlighted in the Prophetic saying, “Actions are judged only by intentions.” Intention is not only the basic criterion for the validity of deeds but also a means of refining a person’s inner self, thought, consciousness, and moral conduct. The study explains the linguistic and technical definitions of niyyah, its religious requirements, and its ethical implications in detail.

The article emphasizes that the true place of intention is the heart, which determines a person’s sincerity, purpose, and direction. According to Islamic teachings, intention is not limited to acts of worship; rather, sincerity and righteous purpose are essential in all aspects of life, including daily transactions, social responsibilities, economic activities, and missionary efforts. The research further highlights that, in the modern age—characterized by materialism, ostentation, superficiality, and actions lacking meaningful purpose—the cultivation and correction of sincere intention have become increasingly necessary.

The study concludes that a person’s character becomes strong, the society becomes purified, and a positive, purposeful, and value-based system emerges only when actions are grounded in sincere intentions and noble objectives. The reform of intention essentially determines the direction of one’s personality and actions, without which no deed can attain its true worth or spiritual significance.