whereas the other man’s heart is fully present, seeking through his prayer only the Face of Allah and conformity with the Sunnah of the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him.

Between the two lies a vast gulf. Deeds take their value from what resides in the heart, and on the Day of Resurrection recompense will be determined by what the heart contains. Allah the Exalted says, “He is indeed able to bring him back (to life), on the Day when all secrets will be laid bare” (Q 86:8-9)—meaning that what is hidden will be examined, not merely what is outward.

In this world judgments among people are passed according to what is apparent, for the Prophet, peace be upon him, said, “I am only a human being, and you bring your disputes to me. Perhaps one of you is more eloquent in presenting his argument than another, so I rule in his favor according to what I hear…” But in the Hereafter judgment will rest on the hidden realities. We ask Allah to purify the innermost thoughts of us all.

True knowledge, then, concerns what is concealed within. If one’s inner state is sound and upright, rejoice in all that is good; but if it is corrupt, every good is lost. Allah, glorified be He, says, “Does he not know that when whatever is in the graves is overturned and what is in the breasts is brought forth…” (Q 100:9-10). Thus, the decisive matter is what abides in the heart.

Since Allah in His Book and His Messenger, peace be upon him, in his Sunnah both emphasize the rectification of intention, it is incumbent upon every person to set his intention right, to purify his heart, and to purge any doubt from it, replacing doubt with certainty. How is this achieved? By contemplating the signs of Allah: “Indeed, in the creation of the heavens and the earth and the alternation of night and day there are signs for people of understanding” (Q 3:190).