In the name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful

God — Blessed and Exalted — says:

{Say, "I only advise you of one thing: that you stand up for God, in pairs and alone, then reflect; there is no madness in your companion; he is only a warner to you before a severe punishment."}
This means God — Glorious and High — says: O Prophet, say that I give you one advice: that in all your affairs you stand and rise for God.

The meaning of standing "for God" is that a person’s every action, behavior, word, and decision is solely for the sake of God Almighty, and nothing else. His looking, walking, studying, teaching, listening, spending money, earning money, marriage, traveling, eating, sleeping — all his deeds and thoughts must be purely and sincerely for God.

Gradually, through determination, practice, mindfulness, and self-discipline, a person can reach the highest and ultimate goal, which is sincerity in action (ikhlas). One can train oneself to constantly and carefully examine their intentions and strive for sincerity. For example, when receiving money, one should question themselves whether it was earned purely for God or if love of self or the world is also involved. When not receiving money, one should also check if it is truly for God or for other motives. When giving money, one must pay attention and ensure it is sincerely for God. A person who attains this will gradually reach their goal of purifying their deeds for God and steadfastness in this sincerity.

This is a very important advice — truly a fundamental and foundational admonition. It is the basis, the principle, and the pillar of all deeds. Many virtues and happiness — if not all — come to a person through this, leading them to their ultimate goal.

As stated in the Holy Quran and the luminous traditions of the Ahl al-Bayt (peace be upon them), humans are tested by their rebellious and commanding nafs (lower self). This nafs is very rebellious, cunning, and inclined to pull a person from all sides. But if a person decides that all their deeds are sincerely for God (lillah), these pressures will not harm them, because the pressures of desires and lusts lead to misery in this world and the Hereafter.

However, if one decides to act according to the verse {stand up for God} — making all their deeds for God — that person attains a happiness that even the wealthy do not have, because wealth does not bring happiness. Those with abundant knowledge or great kingdoms do not have this happiness, because money is not the source of true happiness. Standing for God is what brings true happiness and blessing.

Such a person enjoys inner peace and is less subject to the blame of the nafs (self) or its pressures. Whether they are rich or poor, they sleep peacefully and comfortably. It does not matter if people speak badly or praise them, if they are given money or have it taken away — because their deeds are lillah and pure, they are not plagued by guilt or self-reproach.

Like Abdul-Muttalib who said to Abraha, “I am the owner of the camels, and the Ka’bah has its owner.” Thus, he did not blame himself for what might happen to the House of God. Such a soul is firm and does not sway with every wind. Human desires are insignificant and fragile; they can be shaken easily. Thousands of people commit sins and crimes in this world but then confess and repent under pressure from their conscience. The nafs is light and unstable. But lillah — standing for God — is heavy, precious, and of great value.

A person becomes heavy and strong within themselves. They are given a true and genuine character. In that case, these trivial and light things do not harm them. If a person carefully observes their surroundings, they will see examples like this. In Karbala, I knew a young man who sold ice, and we ourselves used to buy ice for our home from him. You know that in the past, there were no refrigerators or freezers, and they were only for certain wealthy people. Ice sellers worked throughout the hot season selling ice. Of course, it was a weak business. So in winter, they would change their line of work to something suitable for the cold season. Due to his small capital and weak business, he was often in hardship and struggled to earn a livelihood for his family.

This was a difficult test, but because he was sincere and pure and embodied the meaning of {stand up for God} (lillah), he was not corrupted. He was calm, light-hearted, and firm during trials.

This young man had an old father, and his father was still alive. His grandfather had passed away before his father did. The grandfather was wealthy and well-off but eventually died. He left a significant amount of money behind. The young man had several aunts and uncles, and according to Islamic jurisprudence, they inherit first, and the next class of heirs does not inherit. The Quran explicitly states:

{And the relatives are nearer to each other in the Book of Allah.}

In any case, the son of a son is a more distant relative than the uncles and aunts, so he is not entitled to inherit.

In some of the 'Ammiyyah (popular) jurisprudence schools, which are distant from the Quran and unfamiliar with the Ahl al-Bayt’s teachings, they do grant inheritance to the son of a son on the same level as uncles and aunts. So in the former Iraqi government, the ruler would judge according to this popular jurisprudence.

This young man gained a good sum of money, but it was unjustly acquired. During the period between the grandfather’s death and the government’s ruling, the young man came to me with the question.

This is a heavy soul that does not shake with every breeze. Spiritually and psychologically, it has a lofty spirit. Such a person never experiences psychological or nervous problems. Because their goal is God, and they want to act solely for God and to earn His pleasure, they never break down. They never experience spiritual turmoil.

Of course, it should not be left unmentioned that naturally, when a problem or incident arises, a person is affected and becomes a little distressed, but after a short time, they recover themselves. During this time, they return to themselves and say, “My goal is God, so what does it matter to me what happens to me? God has willed it this way, and my duty is to obey Him.” Thus, they quickly repair and restore themselves. Their free spirit solves issues and problems very quickly.

What use is this transient, fleeting world of four days? Even if we gain a little comfort, compared to the Hereafter it is like a moment compared to a year, or a millennium of the Hereafter that is thousands, millions of times greater than this world. The world is like a blink, which is less than a second, and the Hereafter is like the lifespan of a human—and even more than that.

Another example I witnessed myself was a scholar residing in Iraq whose house was confiscated, during the time of the tyrannical Iraqi regime. Someone hastily came to him and informed him that his house had been seized. Ordinary people spend years struggling to acquire a home.

Obtaining a home is difficult, hard, and time-consuming. When he was informed that his house was confiscated, he said that even if all the houses in the city belonged to him and he heard that all of them were confiscated, his sleep would never be disturbed. Which is worse, losing a house or losing oneself? Or losing one’s nerves? Or losing one’s morale? How much is such a lofty spirit and pure soul worth? The Prophets and the Saints were like this. Let us not pass by this lightly—let us put ourselves in his place. If his house were confiscated and instead of being upset, he said, “Even if all the houses in the city belonged to me and all were confiscated, I would be so indifferent that my sleeping time would never be disturbed, and I would sleep on schedule just like the nights before.”

Reaching the station of sincerity (ikhlas) is something anyone can attain. These matters can be achieved by anyone with firm determination, perseverance, diligence, and seeking help (tawassul). One can reach the state of contentment (rida). This state, whatever its level, can be attained and grown over time—reaching the state of {أَن تَقُومُوا لِلَّهِ} (standing for God).

  The Method to Reach This Station

The way to reach this station—doing all actions purely for God—is not very difficult. First, as mentioned, one must make a serious decision and determination. One must decide and remain steadfast in this decision, constantly encouraging oneself to uphold it. Secondly, one should not neglect tawassul (seeking intercession). To attain {أَن تَقُومُوا لِلَّهِ} (standing for God), one must sincerely and humbly beseech God — with a broken heart and earnest prayer — and follow this by seeking intercession through the Ahl al-Bayt (the Holy Household). That is, we must turn to the Imams and ask them to be means of grace and acceptance of our prayers. Just as we take seriously supplication and intercession for worldly needs, we must be even more serious and persistent in asking for spiritual matters. We must ask God to help us and request intercession and steadfastness from the Ahl al-Bayt. According to the Quran, they are the means and intermediaries. To connect with God Almighty, one must first go to the Infallibles^ and ask them to aid us.

Therefore, with determination, resolve, prayer, and intercession, one can reach the station of sincerity in action such that all one’s deeds are “for God.” That means if one wants to marry and build a family, or study or teach, or give or receive money—whatever one does—one’s intention must be that it is for God Almighty and to gain His pleasure.

The more one succeeds in this resolve, the more one attains worldly and eternal happiness. It must also be said that there is no other way or escape except that our deeds be like this. There is no alternative.

God Almighty accepts pure and sincere deeds and rejects those that are impure. It is also obvious and clear that this decision and this mode of action—acting “for God”—applies to all deeds without exception. A woman who cares for her husband and raises her children to be faithful, a man who lives with his wife at home, a neighbor with whom we coexist, interactions with relatives and fellow townspeople—without exception, every action and behavior towards anyone falls under this rule. The smallest deed, which may seem worthless or insignificant, up to the greatest deed, must be based on {أَن تَقُومُوا لِلَّهِ} — that is, done sincerely and purely for God. The Quran also states that this is an admonition, a warning, and guidance. It is an admonition for man to rise and act for God.

I hope God Almighty grants this success to everyone. And peace and blessings be upon Muhammad and his pure household.