The Power of Pure Intention: Imam Hasan’s Path to Answered Prayers

Introduction

On the 26^th of Rabi‘ al-Awwal, Muslims commemorate the peace treaty of Imam Hasan (peace be upon him) with Mu‘awiya. On this occasion, we also reflect on one of Imam Hasan’s profound sayings:

الإمام الحسن (ع): أَنَا اَلضَّامِنُ لِمَنْ لَمْ يَهْجُسْ فِي قَلْبِهِ إِلاَّ اَلرِّضَا أَنْ يَدْعُوَ اَللَّهَ فَيُسْتَجَابَ لَهُ. (بحارالأنوار، ج 43، ص 351)

Imam Hasan (peace be upon him) said:

“Whoever allows nothing to enter his heart except the desire for Allah’s pleasure, I guarantee that Allah will answer his supplication.” (Bihar al-Anwar, vol. 43, p. 351)

Educational messages from the hadith for teenagers and youth

1. Purify Your Intentions

Ask yourself: Why am I doing this action? A pure intention makes even simple deeds meaningful.

Practical Challenge: Before starting any task today, pause and set an intention to please Allah.

2. Everyday Actions for Allah

Studying, eating, exercising – all can be elevated when done with the ultimate aim of pleasing Allah.

Practical Challenge: Choose one routine task today and consciously dedicate it to Allah’s pleasure.

3. Remember the Power of Du‘a

Prayer connects you to the source of existence and reminds you that nothing is beyond Allah.

Practical Challenge: Set a time daily, even two minutes, to raise your hands and make du‘a.

4. Seek Peace in Acceptance

Contentment protects your heart from envy and disappointment.

Practical Challenge: When something does not go your way, say aloud: “Allah knows best.”

Educational messages from the hadith for parents

1. Teach True Value to Children

Show your children that actions are only valuable when done for Allah’s sake, not for worldly praise.

Practical Challenge: When praising your child, remind them: “This is valuable because it pleases Allah.”

2. Make Du‘a with Divine Purpose

Your prayers for your children should focus on what brings them closer to Allah.

Practical Challenge: Add one du‘a daily for your child’s faith and moral strength, not just material success.

3. Model Contentment in the Home

Children learn satisfaction when parents show calm acceptance of Allah’s decree.

Practical Challenge: When faced with a setback, explain to your children: “We trust Allah’s plan.”

Educational messages from the hadith for imams and religious leaders

1. Teaching the Hierarchy of Intentions

Explain how every action can carry multiple layers of intention, with the highest being Allah’s pleasure.

Practical Challenge: Dedicate a class to unpacking how ordinary actions can be elevated through intention.

2. Clarifying the Power of Rida (Contentment)

Show your community how contentment unlocks both peace of heart and the acceptance of du‘a.

Practical Challenge: Share real-life examples of how practising rida transformed people’s outlook.

3. Connecting Prayer with Inner Purity

Teach that du‘a is most powerful when the heart is free from resentment and filled with trust in Allah.

Practical Challenge: Encourage your congregation to spend a week focusing on purifying intentions before du‘a.

4. Using Imam Hasan’s Life as a Model

Highlight how Imam Hasan embodied contentment and reliance on Allah in his peace treaty and personal life.

Practical Challenge: In a sermon, link this hadith to Imam Hasan’s historical decisions as examples of lived rida.

5. Guiding Against Modern Anxiety

Address how dissatisfaction fuels today’s mental stress and show the Islamic path to calmness through rida.

Practical Challenge: Organise a workshop on overcoming stress through gratitude and reliance on Allah.