The next characteristic of the true servants of the Most Merciful is mentioned in chapter 25 Al Furqan, verse 68:
“And those who do not invoke with Allah another deity…”
This verse indicates the importance of a pure intention to only please Allah, the Exalted, when performing deeds. The true servants of the Most Merciful put aside all other intentions and desires and only obey Allah, the Exalted, in order to fulfil the purpose of their creation which is servanthood to Allah, the Exalted. Chapter 51 Adh Dhariyat, verse 56:
“And I did not create the jinn and mankind except to worship Me.”
Polytheism can be classified as greater and minor. The greater type is when one believes in more than one God. If a person dies in this state they will not be forgiven. Chapter 4 An Nisa, verse 48:
“Indeed, Allah does not forgive association with Him…”
This is the greatest sin one can commit which has been confirmed by the Holy Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, in a Hadith found in Sahih Bukhari, number 6273. It is considered a great treachery to firstly deny the favours one has done to another and it is even worse to use these favours against the one who gave them. If this is true between two people can one imagine the greatness of the treachery of a person who behaves like this with Allah, the Exalted, when He alone provides the creation with countless blessings?
The minor type of polytheism is when one shows off their actions. This has been confirmed in many Hadiths such as the one found in Sunan Ibn Majah, number 3989. On Judgment Day those who performed deeds to please others besides Allah, the Exalted, will be commanded to gain their reward from them which will not be possible. This is confirmed in a Hadith found in Jami At Tirmidhi, number 3154. This is the one who has taken their desire as their lord as they act in order to fulfil their desires instead of acting to please Allah, the Exalted. Chapter 45 Al Jathiyah, verse 23:
“Have you seen he who has taken as his god his [own] desire…”
One only acts for the sake of another as they believe the person will somehow either grant them a blessing or protect them from some harm. This quality is only possessed by Allah, the Exalted, therefore, acting for the sake of other than Allah, the Exalted, is polytheism and simply foolish.
If a muslim firstly intends to please Allah, the Exalted, and then changes their intention because of some external factor as long as they struggle with themself and try to return to their initial intention it is hoped that they will be granted reward for their original intention and inner struggle to keep it purified.
For those who mix their intention in religious acts to please Allah, the Exalted, and to gain some worldly thing it is debatable whether they receive any reward in the hereafter for the deed. Some scholars believe they will receive full reward as long as the worldly desire is not unlawful. Some believe a muslim will be rewarded partially because of their duel intention. Other scholars believe they will gain no reward as they partnered their intention with pleasing Allah, the Exalted, which can be considered an aspect of minor polytheism. Therefore, a wise muslim should choose the safest option and only perform religious deeds to please Allah, the Exalted and not mix their intention with some lawful worldly gain.
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