Fatwa #287863 April 2014United Kingdom
How to deal with confusion in intention?
Question
Sometimes i get confused and ask myself twice am I doing this for the sake of Allah, or am i doing it for me?for eg, university - i am thinking of leaving due to the riba in the tuition fees. I am considering this because I fear Allah's punishment. Now im confused. Am i doing this for myself or Allah's sake? Many a times I find myself asking the same question.
Answer
In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
As-salāmu ‘alaykum wa-rahmatullāhi wa-barakātuh.
There is no need to be confused. Shariah encourages us to work hard and become successful. As such, if you study for yourself to become successful, that is actually following the dictates of Shariah. You are thus doing both, pleasing Allah and making yourself successful. Do make tawbah for the riba in the tuition fees and make intention to serve the Deen of Allah in whatever way you can.
And Allah Ta’āla Knows Best
Muhammad Haris Siddiqui
Student Darul Iftaa
Melbourne, Australia
Checked and Approved by,
Mufti Ebrahim Desai.