Grand Ayatollah Shirazi: Sincerity and Intention for Divine Nearness Are Obligatory in Worship

Grand Ayatollah Shirazi: Sincerity and Intention for Divine Nearness Are Obligatory in Worship
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The daily scholarly session of Grand Ayatollah Sayyid Sadiq al-Husseini al-Shirazi was held on Thursday, 7 Jumada al-Awwal 1447 AH.

During the session, as in previous meetings, the Supreme Marja responded to various jurisprudential questions raised by attendees.

Speaking on the concept of qurbah (nearness to God), Grand Ayatollah Shirazi explained that qurbah in its linguistic sense means “to draw near,” while in religious terminology it refers to performing an act with the intention of seeking God’s pleasure.

Elaborating on the meaning of ikhlas (sincerity), His Eminence said that it means performing an action solely for the sake of God, without any motive other than His satisfaction.

Citing verse 5 of Surah Al-Bayyina — “And they were not commanded except to worship Allah, [being] sincere to Him in religion” — the Grand Ayatollah emphasized that two elements are obligatory in acts of worship: nearness (qurbah) and sincerity (ikhlas).

He further noted that when both are present in one’s worship, Islamic traditions describe such acts as “the believer’s ascension (mi‘raj al-mu’min)”, reflecting the spiritual elevation achieved through pure devotion.