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A summary of the concepts held by the Ahl al-Sunnah.

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Sincerity of intention.

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Sincerity of intention aligns with the meaning of devotion (ikhlas).

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For a person’s sincere intention to perform a deed,

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implies their devotion within it.

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However, it adds another dimension to that,

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which is linked to devotion,

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and relates to the resolve to perform the deed in the future.

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For part of sincerity in intention,

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is the sincerity of resolve to carry it out if one is able.

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A person may have a good intention to perform a certain good deed,

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yet their resolve is weak and cannot withstand the challenges and hardships of that work.

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Or their intention may be undermined by laziness and lethargy.

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This weakness, hesitation, and laziness,

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contradict the sincerity of intention and weaken it.

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This leads a person to abandon the deed and refrain from it.

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An example of this in the Noble Qur'an,

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is the story of Talut and those who believed with him.

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They resolved to fight alongside Talut and face the enemy.

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But when they were tested with thirst while at the river,

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the resolve of many of them collapsed and they drank from it,

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despite being permitted only a single scoop of water.

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Then, when Talut crossed the river with the few who passed the test,

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the resolve of many of them also faltered, and they said,

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“And when Saul set out with the army, he said: Lo! Allah will try you by (the ordeal of) a river. Whosoever therefore drinketh thereof he is not of me, and whosoever tasteth it not he is of me, save him who taketh (thereof) in the hollow of his hand. But they drank thereof, all save a few of them. And after he had crossed (the river), he and those who believed with him, they said: We have no power this day against Goliath and his hosts. But those who knew that they would meet Allah exclaimed: How many a little company hath overcome a mighty host by Allah's leave! Allah is with the steadfast.” (2:249)

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and none remained steadfast with him upon the truth except for a very few,

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those whose intentions were sincere and whose certainty in Allah and His victory was strong.

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They said,

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“And when Saul set out with the army, he said: Lo! Allah will try you by (the ordeal of) a river. Whosoever therefore drinketh thereof he is not of me, and whosoever tasteth it not he is of me, save him who taketh (thereof) in the hollow of his hand. But they drank thereof, all save a few of them. And after he had crossed (the river), he and those who believed with him, they said: We have no power this day against Goliath and his hosts. But those who knew that they would meet Allah exclaimed: How many a little company hath overcome a mighty host by Allah's leave! Allah is with the steadfast.” (2:249)

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and Allah is with the patient.

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They called upon their Lord and said,

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“And when they went into the field against Goliath and his hosts they said: Our Lord! Bestow on us endurance, make our foothold sure, and give us help against the disbelieving folk.” (2:250)

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The result was,

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they defeated them by the permission of Allah.

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Thus, sincere intention and firm resolve,

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attract the pleasure of Allah, the Almighty and Majestic,

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and achieve success and prosperity in this world and the Hereafter.