Intentions upon the Arrival of the Month of Rabīʿ al-Awwal

In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful, the Bestower of Mercy

When the month of Rabīʿ al-Awwal enters, it is recommended for the believer to renew his righteous intention therein, for verily “actions are but by intentions, and every man shall have only that which he intended.” The scholars have mentioned a number of intentions to be set forth in this noble month, among them are the following:

To intend joy at the coming of the month, for it is the month wherein was born the Master of all creation, Muḥammad ﷺ. Rejoicing at his birth is an act of devotion, as the Exalted has said: “Say: In the bounty of Allah and in His mercy – therein let them rejoice” [Yūnus: 58]. Some of the commentators interpreted “His mercy” as referring to the Prophet ﷺ.
To intend attending the gatherings of the Prophetic Sīrah, for therein is remembrance of his noble life and attributes, adherence to his guidance, and increase in love and attachment to him ﷺ.
To intend abundant reading of the Sīrah and the Shamāʾil, especially with one’s family and children, so that their hearts may be nurtured upon veneration and love.
To intend plentiful invocation of blessings and peace upon him ﷺ, in obedience to the command of Allah, and in accordance with the ḥadīth: “Whosoever sends one prayer upon me, Allah sends ten upon him” [Muslim].
To intend charity and feeding of the poor, in gratitude to Allah for the favour of existence and sustenance, and in emulation of the Prophet’s generosity ﷺ.
To intend presence at the Mawlids that are conducted in accordance with the Sharīʿah, seeking benefit and to benefit others, engaging in remembrance and mutual admonition, and giving counsel sincerely for the sake of Allah.
To intend following the righteous predecessors in their manifestation of joy at the coming of this month and their establishment of virtuous assemblies therein.
To intend bringing happiness to the hearts of the believers, for it has been related: “The most beloved of deeds unto Allah is joy that you bring to a Muslim” [Ṭabarānī].
To intend veneration of the day of Monday in this month, for it was the day of his blessed birth ﷺ, and he used to fast therein out of gratitude, as is authentically reported.
To intend increased recitation and contemplation of the Qurʾān in this month, so that the light of the Qurʾān may be joined with the light of the Sīrah.
To intend instructing the ignorant and reminding the heedless concerning the Prophet’s noble conduct and character, for teaching knowledge is among the loftiest of acts of devotion.
To intend gratitude for the divine favour of his being sent ﷺ, for were it not for him we should have remained in darkness, as the Most High has said: “Indeed Allah conferred a great favour upon the believers when He sent among them an Envoy from themselves” [Āl ʿImrān: 164].
To intend renewal of repentance in this blessed month, hoping that the heart be enlivened even as Allah enlivened hearts through his mission ﷺ.
To intend seeking nearness unto Allah by means of the Prophet ﷺ in supplication, for he is the supreme means and the greatest intercessor.
To intend reading the works of Shamāʾil and Dalāʾil, such as al-Shamāʾil al-Muḥammadiyyah of al-Tirmidhī, Dalāʾil al-Nubuwwah of al-Bayhaqī, and al-Shifāʾ of Qāḍī ʿIyāḍ, desiring to increase attachment to his blessed attributes ﷺ.
To intend renewal of the covenant of following him, outwardly and inwardly, in word, deed, and state, in emulation of his noble Sunnah.

And I have intended whatsoever the righteous and the learned have intended of pious intentions in such a noble month, of that which I know and that which I know not, in the past, the present, and the future, so long as I live and as long as days and nights endure.
If the believer gathers together these intentions, there shall be recorded for him reward in accordance with them, even if he be unable to realise them all. One of the gnostics said: “Whosoever intends good yet is overcome, he is rewarded for his intention; and whosoever intends it and is enabled to enact it, for him are two rewards: the reward of intention and the reward of action.”

We beseech Allah Most High to grant us sincerity of intention, to render our works purely for His Noble Countenance, and to bless us with complete following of His Prophet Muḥammad ﷺ, outwardly and inwardly, in pardon, well-being, and safety. May He write for us the fullest share of reward and the most complete portion of acceptance, by His grace and generosity.

Our Lord, accept from us, for verily Thou art the All-Hearing, the All-Knowing; and turn unto us in mercy, for Thou art the Oft-Returning, the Merciful.

Allahumma, Thou Who hast guided the people of righteousness to righteousness, aided them therein, and accepted it from them, guide us likewise to righteousness, aid us therein, and accept it from us. Āmīn.

From Sidi Muhammad Mbaye (translator of Book of Intentions)