WEBVTT 00:00:00.180 --> 00:00:09.019 A summary of the concepts held by the Ahl al-Sunnah. 00:00:09.019 --> 00:00:12.269 Sincerity of intention. 00:00:12.269 --> 00:00:16.269 Sincerity of intention aligns with the meaning of devotion (ikhlas). 00:00:16.269 --> 00:00:19.269 For a person’s sincere intention to perform a deed, 00:00:19.269 --> 00:00:21.269 implies their devotion within it. 00:00:21.269 --> 00:00:24.269 However, it adds another dimension to that, 00:00:24.269 --> 00:00:26.269 which is linked to devotion, 00:00:26.269 --> 00:00:30.269 and relates to the resolve to perform the deed in the future. 00:00:30.269 --> 00:00:32.270 For part of sincerity in intention, 00:00:32.270 --> 00:00:36.270 is the sincerity of resolve to carry it out if one is able. 00:00:36.270 --> 00:00:41.270 A person may have a good intention to perform a certain good deed, 00:00:41.270 --> 00:00:48.270 yet their resolve is weak and cannot withstand the challenges and hardships of that work. 00:00:48.270 --> 00:00:52.270 Or their intention may be undermined by laziness and lethargy. 00:00:52.270 --> 00:00:55.270 This weakness, hesitation, and laziness, 00:00:55.270 --> 00:00:58.270 contradict the sincerity of intention and weaken it. 00:00:58.270 --> 00:01:02.429 This leads a person to abandon the deed and refrain from it. 00:01:02.429 --> 00:01:05.430 An example of this in the Noble Qur'an, 00:01:05.430 --> 00:01:08.430 is the story of Talut and those who believed with him. 00:01:08.430 --> 00:01:13.430 They resolved to fight alongside Talut and face the enemy. 00:01:13.430 --> 00:01:17.430 But when they were tested with thirst while at the river, 00:01:17.430 --> 00:01:21.430 the resolve of many of them collapsed and they drank from it, 00:01:21.430 --> 00:01:25.430 despite being permitted only a single scoop of water. 00:01:25.430 --> 00:01:31.430 Then, when Talut crossed the river with the few who passed the test, 00:01:31.430 --> 00:01:35.430 the resolve of many of them also faltered, and they said, 00:01:35.430 --> 00:01:39.430 “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) 00:01:39.430 --> 00:01:43.430 and none remained steadfast with him upon the truth except for a very few, 00:01:43.430 --> 00:01:48.430 those whose intentions were sincere and whose certainty in Allah and His victory was strong. 00:01:48.430 --> 00:01:50.430 They said, 00:01:50.430 --> 00:01:57.430 “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) 00:01:57.430 --> 00:01:59.430 and Allah is with the patient. 00:01:59.430 --> 00:02:02.430 They called upon their Lord and said, 00:02:02.430 --> 00:02:10.430 “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) 00:02:10.430 --> 00:02:12.430 The result was, 00:02:12.430 --> 00:02:15.430 they defeated them by the permission of Allah. 00:02:15.430 --> 00:02:19.500 Thus, sincere intention and firm resolve, 00:02:19.500 --> 00:02:22.500 attract the pleasure of Allah, the Almighty and Majestic, 00:02:22.500 --> 00:02:26.500 and achieve success and prosperity in this world and the Hereafter.