Abstract: Within hadith literature, a sound narration warns that the corrupt intention (niyyah) of a Muslim scholar may lead to condemnation in the Hereafter. This ethical concern highlights the central role of intention in Islamic intellectual life and provides the backdrop for examining its meaning in the pursuit of knowledge. Al-Ghazali, an eminent figure in Islamic thought, conceives intention not merely as a moral imperative but also as an epistemic condition shaping the orientation and ultimate purpose of knowledge. Although his conception of intention has been widely discussed in theological and practical contexts, its potential as a foundation for research remains largely overlooked. Consequently, the epistemological and ethical dimensions that could guide Islamic research are often underdeveloped, with discourse tending to emphasize paradigmatic alternatives rather than the spiritual and intellectual orientation that gives research its integrity. In response, this article examines al-Ghazali’s perspective on intention and its implications for the practice of Islamic research. Two objectives guide the study: first, to delineate al-Ghazali’s account of intention; and second, to assess its implications for research as an ethical practice. Using qualitative thematic analysis of al-Ghazali’s key texts, the study finds that intention consists of knowledge (‘ilm) and will (iradah), both of which must be harmonized to achieve sincerity (ikhlaṣ). The findings highlight research as a spiritually grounded activity in which etiquette (adab) and passion (‘ishq) yield enduring benefit (barakah), reaffirming the epistemic and ethical unity of the Islamic scholarly tradition.

Keywords: Adab, al-Ghazali, epistemology, ethics, intention