the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace:

“Whoever performs a deed that does not accord with our command, it is rejected.”

The Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, also said:

“Actions are judged only by intentions, and each person will have only what he intended. Whoever migrates for Allah and His Messenger, his migration is for Allah and His Messenger. But whoever migrates for some worldly gain or to marry a woman, his migration is for whatever he migrated for.”

This principle is the foundation of religion, and religion is fully realized to the extent that this principle is fulfilled. Allah sent the messengers and revealed the Books with it. The Messenger called people to it and strove for it; he enjoined it and encouraged people to embrace it. It is the central axis around which religion revolves.

Associating partners with Allah is prevalent among human souls. As stated in the hadith:

“Among this community, it is more imperceptible than the creeping of ants.”

Another hadith relates:

“Abū Bakr said, ‘O Messenger of Allah, how can we escape it when it is more imperceptible than the creeping of ants?’

The Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said to Abū Bakr, ‘Shall I not teach you words which, if you say them, will save you from it, small and great? Say: “O Allah, I seek refuge in You from knowingly associating partners with You, and I seek Your forgiveness for what I do unknowingly.”’”

ʿUmar used to say in his supplication:

“O Allah, make all my deeds righteous, make them sincerely devoted to seeking Your Face, and let no one else have any share in them.”

Hidden desires often mingle with human souls, undermining their full realization of