In Islam, Hadith refers to the sayings, actions, and approvals of the Prophet Muhammad; peace be upon him. These traditions are considered a source of guidance and wisdom for Muslims and are often referred to alongside the Qur’an in matters of faith and practice.
One concept repeatedly emphasized in the Hadith is the importance of intentions. It is believed that one’s intentions behind their actions will ultimately determine their reward or punishment in the hereafter.
The Prophet Muhammad is reported to have said, “Actions are but by intention, and every man shall have only that which he intended.” (Sahih Bukhari)
This Hadith highlights the idea that it is not the action being judged but rather the motivations and desires behind it.
In this post, we will explore the significance of intentions in Islam and provide some examples and tips for developing good intentions in daily life.
Narrated ‘Umar bin Al-Khattab:
I heard Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) saying, “The reward of deeds depends upon the intentions, and every person will get the reward according to what he has intended.
So whoever emigrated for worldly benefits or for a woman to marry, his emigration was for what he emigrated for.”
حَدَّثَنَا الْحُمَيْدِيُّ عَبْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ الزُّبَيْرِ ، قَالَ : حَدَّثَنَا سُفْيَانُ ، قَالَ : حَدَّثَنَا يَحْيَى بْنُ سَعِيدٍ الْأَنْصَارِيُّ ، قَالَ : أَخْبَرَنِي مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ التَّيْمِيُّ ، أَنَّهُ سَمِعَ عَلْقَمَةَ بْنَ وَقَّاصٍ اللَّيْثِيَّ ، يَقُولُ : سَمِعْتُ عُمَرَ بْنَ الْخَطَّابِ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ عَلَى الْمِنْبَرِ، قَالَ : سَمِعْتُ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ، يَقُولُ :
” إِنَّمَا الْأَعْمَالُ بِالنِّيَّاتِ، وَإِنَّمَا لِكُلِّ امْرِئٍ مَا نَوَى، فَمَنْ كَانَتْ هِجْرَتُهُ إِلَى دُنْيَا يُصِيبُهَا أَوْ إِلَى امْرَأَةٍ يَنْكِحُهَا، فَهِجْرَتُهُ إِلَى مَا هَاجَرَ إِلَيْهِ”
It was narrated from Abu Hurairah that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said:
“People will be resurrected (and judged) according to their intentions.”
حَدَّثَنَا أَحْمَدُ بْنُ سِنَانٍ، وَمُحَمَّدُ بْنُ يَحْيَى، قَالاَ حَدَّثَنَا يَزِيدُ بْنُ هَارُونَ، عَنْ شَرِيكٍ، عَنْ لَيْثٍ، عَنْ طَاوُسٍ، عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ، قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ـ صلى الله عليه وسلم ـ : “ إِنَّمَا يُبْعَثُ النَّاسُ عَلَى نِيَّاتِهِمْ ” .
Abu Huraira reported Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) as saying:
An oath is to be interpreted according to the intention of the one who takes it.
وَحَدَّثَنَا أَبُو بَكْرِ بْنُ أَبِي شَيْبَةَ، حَدَّثَنَا يَزِيدُ بْنُ هَارُونَ، عَنْ هُشَيْمٍ، عَنْ عَبَّادِ بْنِ، أَبِي صَالِحٍ عَنْ أَبِيهِ، عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ، قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم “ الْيَمِينُ عَلَى نِيَّةِ الْمُسْتَحْلِفِ ” .
It was narrated from Abu Hurairah that the Prophet (ﷺ) said:
“Whoever takes people’s wealth with the intention of destroying it, Allah (SWT) will destroy him.”
حَدَّثَنَا يَعْقُوبُ بْنُ حُمَيْدِ بْنِ كَاسِبٍ، حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ الْعَزِيزِ بْنُ مُحَمَّدٍ، عَنْ ثَوْرِ بْنِ زَيْدٍ الدِّيلِيِّ، عَنْ أَبِي الْغَيْثِ، – مَوْلَى ابْنِ مُطِيعٍ – عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ، أَنَّ النَّبِيَّ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ “ مَنْ أَخَذَ أَمْوَالَ النَّاسِ يُرِيدُ إِتْلاَفَهَا أَتْلَفَهُ اللَّهُ ” .
Narrated Abu Huraira:
The Prophet (ﷺ) said, “Whoever takes the money of the people with the intention of repaying it, Allah will repay it on his behalf, and whoever takes it to spoil it, then Allah will spoil him.”
حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ الْعَزِيزِ بْنُ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ الأُوَيْسِيُّ، حَدَّثَنَا سُلَيْمَانُ بْنُ بِلاَلٍ، عَنْ ثَوْرِ بْنِ زَيْدٍ، عَنْ أَبِي الْغَيْثِ، عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ ـ رضى الله عنه ـ عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ “ مَنْ أَخَذَ أَمْوَالَ النَّاسِ يُرِيدُ أَدَاءَهَا أَدَّى اللَّهُ عَنْهُ، وَمَنْ أَخَذَ يُرِيدُ إِتْلاَفَهَا أَتْلَفَهُ اللَّهُ ”.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the concept of intentions is central to Islam and is emphasized repeatedly in the Hadith. It is believed that one’s intentions behind their actions will ultimately determine their reward or punishment in the hereafter. The Hadith’s “Actions are but by intention” highlights the idea that it is not the action being judged but rather the motivations and desires behind it.