The Value Of A Sincere Intention

Hadhrat Junaid Baghdadi (Rahimahullah) was an Imaam of Tasawwuf and the Auliya. After he passed away a pious person saw Hadhrat Junaid in a dream. The person enquired about his state by Allah Ta'ala. Hadhrat Junaid replied: "Alhamdulillah, I was forgiven and Allah Ta'ala bestowed lofty Ranks to me. However my neighbour has surpassed me."

Hadhrat Junaid's (Rahimahullah) neighbour was an ordinary cobbler, mending shoes all day long and earning to support his family. Hadhrat Junaid had no wife and children to care for.
The shoemaker always yearned for proximity with Allah Ta'ala. He frequently supplicated to Allah Ta'ala to liberate him from his worldy responsibilities so that he too could devote all his time to Zhikrullah as Hadhrat Junaid was doing. He yearned to be like Hadhrat Junaid for the sake of worshipping and remembering Allah Ta'ala.
The cobbler never gained the opportunity to be set free from his worldly duties and obligations. However, the sincerity of his intention and yearning was accepted by Allah Ta'ala, and he was awarded loftier spiritual ranks of 'Qurb-e-Ilaahi(Divine Proximity) than the elevated status of Hadhrat Junaid Baghdaadi (Rahimahullah)

This episode illustrates the value and acceptability of a sincere intention.