The connect / disconnect between the heart and tongue Ghazali says intention is not determined by what you say, but by a deeper motivation. Simply verbalising something is not a true indication that you mean it. For instance saying ‘I intend to love someone or pay zakah’ does not move you to action. These are just words. An expression. Unless it is accompanied by the motivation to achieve that end. Though we are all familiar with the intention most people pronounce before praying, the motivation to pray precedes that uttering of words. The motivation came when one decided that they would get up to pray, and went to perform wudu and lay out their mat. The verbalisation itself is not the intention, but merely the expression of the intention within you. The verbalisation does not create the motivation. The motivation is embedded in the heart. The stronger the faith, the deeper the motivation and the more one’s verbalisation will reflect their motivation. This is because there can be a disconnect between the heart and the tongue. However, the stronger one’s faith, the more their tongue is a transmitter of their heart. Even though the verbalisation is not required. Though the verbalisation of one’s intention is not necessary for one to carry out the act, saying one is about to pray salah out loud it may help one focus on the prayer, gain khushoo (tranquility and mindfulness) and cut out distractions, and help concentrate on the prayer at hand. It is worth noting that if your action is not carried out by your motivation to do it, but your fear of being criticised by others then that is not a sincere intention. Moreover, one’s intention is firmer when one knows the insignificance of this world compared to the magnitude of the … Continue reading Ghazali on sincerity – transforming an inferior act into a superior act