Question: What should be the intention of doing a good action?

The Prophet Muhammad (SAW) said that 'Actions are judged by intentions.' This made me wonder that what should be the intention for doing a good deed? Should we do something good because it is something good and we should be doing it; because Allah wants us to do that thing, or because doing that thing will lead us to Jannah?
I was also thinking, that isn't it a bit selfish and greedy to do something good just for the sake of going to heaven? It also made me think that if there was no concept of Jannat and Jahannum, should we still be doing good deeds? 
Should we as Muslims think of Jannah as an additional reward we will get if we do good actions, or as the sole purpose of doing good actions? I mean, shouldn't we be doing something good because that's what Allah wants us to do and ultimately, because it's the best thing for us?

(Question by Zainab Salman)

Comments

  1. Dr. Abid6 April 2018 at 00:14

    Zainab remember we discussed about mind map and what role it plays.
    If the awe of Allah subhanawa ta’ala is very strong the main focus of a person will be pleasing Allah and in turn expecting Jannah as a result, this will indicate the Creator occupying the main location on your mind map. It will be when you know your Creator really well.

    Think if you are told that your Creator will be pleased and you will be put to hell. This will put you in a shock as the news will be conflicting. On the other hand, reward of Jannah is for reinforcing your logical framework or mind map. Reward of Jannah reinforces your motivation for that good act and at the same time connects good rewards to obeying your creator. The sweet feeling.

    Every person has her/his own mix of psycho-cognitive framework and at different standards of connection to his/her Creator. To some Jannah carries a very strong appealing motivation and may be to others submission to Allah’s command. I see Quran uses both approaches and probably hadith uses Jannah more profusely as a reward. Probably the prophet (may peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) realizing a great majority of Muslims not at that standard of faith.

    As long as Jannah is associated with compliance of Allah’s commands it is OK. Also please consider that all good things or actions are good because Allah 'says so' and all bad things or actions are bad because Allah 'says so'. This has to be very clear in our mind. Considering that Allah subhana wa ta’ala is the only entity to decide this and no other.

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    1. Zainab Salman Siddiqui7 April 2018 at 03:37

      Thank you for replying to my question.
      You are absolutely correct and your answer clears the confusion in my mind, especially the fact that Jannah is a reward which is meant for reinforcing our motivation for doing a good act, and not as the sole purpose of doing a good act.
      Thanks once again for your reply.

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