Intentional Change

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

Change is something everyone is aware about. One can change for the better, or for worse. 

The believer should always strive to better himself to seek the pleasure of Allah (i.e. Paradise). Such a strive includes changing the evil one has into good, praiseworthy qualities.

In this article, we will look into a theory called Intentional Change Theory (which you will be familiar with, insya Allah). The aspect which you will find difficulty in grasping are only the terms used.

Richard Boyatzis, a professor at Case Western Reserve University, developed Intentional Change Theory (ICT) as part of his work on individual and organizational change. He published it in 2006 in the Journal of Management Development.

The theory outlines five common-sense steps that you need to follow if you want to make a lasting change within yourself. These five steps are:

1. Discover your ideal self.
2. Discover your real self.
3. Create your learning agenda.
4. Experiment with and practice new habits.
5. Get support. (click here for more)

Visually, this is how it should look like:

Firstly, think where you want to be in the future (in this world and in the hereafter).

Compare that ideal self to your current self- are there differences* between the two states? If yes, then work on the differences and bridge the gap between your present self to the ideal self.

By closing up the differences, you are already on a learning agenda.

Familiarise yourself with the new (positive) changes. We as humans can fall back into our evil ways at times. Hence, we should quickly repent and seek forgiveness from Allah, the Most Merciful and Severe in punishment, coupled with regret for committing the sin, and strive to stick to the praiseworthy changes, with the willpower to never return to (commiting) the sin.

Don't forget to get help and support firstly from Allah (through supplications), and then from those whom you trust and are close with (In fact, we should get help and support throughout the change process,and not only at a later stage of change)

Remember that positive and praiseworthy changes come from Allah alone, and you (begiining with myself) should praise and give credits to Allah and not to ourselves. For if Allah wills that you do not change for the better (or change for worse), you will surely not change for good. 

Lastly, I remind myself and you to be sincere and have good noble intentions in our strive to make positive changes (i.e. pleasing Allah alone).

For more info on intentional change, please visit Mindtools.



Let's change for the better and look at how we can initiate that change.


* When comparing between our present state (in this world) with our ideal state in the hereafter (i.e. in Paradise), please note that there is a huge difference between the two states. So, what we can do is to look at the traits and qualities that qualify one for Paradise, after the mercy of Allah, and also look at those qualities that lands one into Hell, except for whomever Allah has saved from Hell. Then, we work towards attaining those praiseworthy traits and avoiding the evil traits.

A man is upon the way of his close intimate friend.