Rulings of Intention in the Islamic Jurisprudence

Abstract

This research tackled the definition of intention, its importance, the ruling of intending good deeds and the ruling of intending bad deeds, punishment for the intention coupled with the determination to commit a sin, and the intention to commit a sin in the Holy Mosque. I adopted the analytical method. The most important results of the research: there are five degrees of what happens in one’s heart: obsession, thought, self-talk, intention, and determination. Jurists agreed that he who has intended a good deed and has not done it, Allah writes it down with Himself as a full good deed. To intend a bad deed besides acting and abstaining has three cases: first: to intend a bad deed without the action of the organs, this one is not to blame according to many jurists. Second: to intend a bad deed and do it, Allah writes it down as one bad deed according to many jurists. Third: to intend a bad deed and abstain from it. In this case, the ruling shall differ based on the reason of abstention. Additionally, there are three stages of intending and determining to commit a sin; some are forgiven as stated by jurists such as obsession and hesitation, and not decisiveness to do it despite one’s inclination. However, if one inclined and determined to do it, it is called a determination which is the end of the intention. The end of the intention is divided into two types: first: to belong certainly to actions of the heart such as skepticism about the Oneness of Allah and prophethood. Second: to belong to the actions of the organs such as adultery and robbery.