Dear Hadi,
Dear Reader,
Many sincere Muslims struggle with this question, so the fact that you are asking it is already a sign that your heart is concerned with something noble.
The first thing to understand is that making Allah's pleasure your goal does not mean you will never feel the pull of your nafs again. Even the most righteous believers had to constantly struggle against their lower desires. The goal is not to eliminate the struggle, but to keep returning to Allah SWT whenever you notice yourself drifting.
One practical step is to begin every action with a conscious intention. Before studying, working, exercising, helping someone, or even resting, pause for a moment and ask yourself: "How can I do this in a way that pleases Allah?" Over time, this habit can transform ordinary activities into acts of worship.
It is also important to be realistic about your motives. Most people do not act from a single pure intention. You may want Allah's pleasure, but also want praise, success, comfort, or recognition. Rather than becoming discouraged when you notice these mixed motives, use them as opportunities for self-correction. When you catch your ego seeking attention or validation, gently redirect your heart back toward Allah SWT.
Regular acts of worship are essential because they train the heart to prefer Allah SWT over the demands of the nafs. Consistent prayer, Qur'an recitation, dhikr, and sincere du'a help strengthen the spiritual "muscle" that resists unhealthy desires. The battle against the nafs is not won in a single dramatic moment; it is won through thousands of small acts of obedience.
Another useful practice is to ask yourself a simple question whenever you are faced with a choice: "If nobody knew I did this except Allah SWT, would I still want to do it?" The answer can reveal a great deal about what is truly driving you.
Finally, remember that even the desire to seek Allah's pleasure comes from Allah's guidance and mercy. We often speak as though we can simply decide to have pure intentions, but the Qur'an teaches us otherwise. Every day in Surah Al-Fatihah we ask Allah, "You alone we worship and You alone we ask for help. Guide us to the straight path." We repeat this because guidance is not something we possess independently; it is something we continually seek from Allah SWT. If we need Allah's guidance for the straight path itself, then we certainly need His help to purify our hearts and intentions.
For this reason, do not rely solely on your own willpower. Ask Allah SWT often to make you sincere. One of the beautiful supplications taught in the Qur'an is: "My Lord, enable me to be grateful for Your favor which You have bestowed upon me and upon my parents, and to do righteousness that You approve of" (Surah Al-Ahqaf 46:15). Notice that the believer asks Allah SWT not only for gratitude, but even for the ability to perform deeds that please Him. Likewise, the Prophet pbuh frequently prayed, "O Turner of the hearts, keep my heart firm upon Your religion." If even the Messenger of Allah continually asked Allah SWT to guide and steady his heart, then we should be even more eager to seek that help.
The Prophet also taught that "Actions are only by intentions, and each person will have only what he intended." Because intentions are so important, they deserve continual attention, reflection, and du'a. Ask Allah SWT to purify your intentions, protect you from self-deception, save you from showing off, and make your deeds sincerely for His sake alone.
Do not measure your success by whether you never struggle with your nafs. Measure it by how quickly and how often you return to Allah SWT when you do. A heart that repeatedly turns back to Allah, seeking His guidance and help, is closer to sincerity than a heart that assumes it has already achieved it.
In peace.