Man will Also Account for His Thoughts and Intentions

In the Qur'an, God commands man to live by the principles of the religion voluntarily and devoutly:

In the Qur'an, God draws our attention to the existence of some people who perform prayers or who give away their wealth only to show off. However, as seen in the verses above, while performing one's prayers, fasting, giving alms or showing obedience, what really matters is one's real intention and heartfelt thoughts. It may well be that these people do not reflect on God, and consider their feebleness and submissiveness before God while praying, but only perform the rituals. Alternatively, one may do charity works, may found schools or help the poor. However, unless done for the sole purpose of earning the good pleasure of God, reflecting on the fact that one is weak and in need before God and feeling fear of the hereafter, these acts may not be acceptable by God. God tells us that the blood of the sacrificial animals does not reach Him, but the devotion (taqwa) is what reaches Him:

Among the major erroneous beliefs is that people assume they will be held responsible only for their actions. Yet, God informs us that man will account for his intentions, thoughts and even what he conceals deep in his heart.

God has knowledge of one's heart, subconscious, thoughts and what he keeps hidden from others. God intervenes between a man and his heart. Therefore, man cannot possibly keep anything hidden from God. Any doubt that crosses his mind, any whispering of Satan, his actual thoughts about believers, his faith in the Qur'an, what crosses his mind while performing the prayers are all known one by one by God and recorded by angels. For example, God knows when one performs prayers lethargically, or when he harbours contradictory thoughts. Man will meet each one of these on the Last Day. Purifying one's heart, living by the religion, not by observing the rituals only but also by being sincere and committed, are the ways we will attain salvation. It would simply be imprudence to neglect the eternal and real life of the hereafter for a brief and fleeting life. Below are some verses in which God warns mankind about the temporary nature of the life of the world: