A better motivation than this will be just seeking the pleasure of Allah (S.

A better motivation than this will be just seeking the pleasure of Allah (S.w.T.). If there is any other motivation, it is nothing else but being sanctimonious. If one has been offering prayer with such sanctimonious motives in the past, then he should offer Qadha prayer for that period with proper intent. This holds good for both Wajib and Mustahab prayers. Similarly related matters too are in the category of sanctimonious acts.

For example: If a person wants to go for a pilgrimage to Mashad but his main motive is to enjoy the good weather and abundance of fruits there, then his pilgrimage becomes secondary. Therefore, if a man performs a felicitous act, he should not become proud of that. He should think over the motive for the performance of the act.

He can say that the act was in the way of Allah (S.w.T.) only when he had, with full determination, true intent and from the depth of his heart, performed the act for the pleasure of Allah (S.w.T.). It is narrated that during the days of the Prophet (S) on an expedition of Jihad , one infidel was mounted on a white mule during the battle. One person from the ranks of the believers was attracted to this mule.

He told to himself,” I shall slay this infidel and become the owner of the mule.” With this intent he went forward. But before he could do anything to the person, the infidel took preemptive action and slayed him. The person became well known as qateel al-himaar - the man who got slayed for a mule! Just imagine, with what intent the man acted and what end he met with! In this market place there is transaction of only the truth and the right. Hypocrisy has no value here.

Pity on the unfortunate person who enslaves himself to his own psyche and that even after giving up his life, he has destroyed his Hereafter. If a person, after laying down his life in Jihad , earns - Khasr ad-duniya wal aakhira - loss in this world and the Hereafter, there is none more unfortunate than him. Therefore, it is necessary to perform acts with firm intent of earning the pleasure of Allah (S.w.T.).

This way not only the fulfilling of one's desires is assured but with Allah (S.w.T.)'s support results might be much more than expected.