Reference:
1. SAHIH AL BUKHARI (Eng.): vol. 1, no. 1, and no. 51; and vol. 3, no. 706; vol. 5, no. 238; vol. 7, no. 8.
F. The book of Oaths and Vows, chapter: (23): The intention in taking oaths: vol. 8, pp. 444-5, no. 680.
G. The Book of Tricks, chapter: (1): Avoiding the use of tricks. And everybody will get the reward according to his intention in taking oaths and other things: vol. 9, p. 71, no. 85.
2. SAHIH MUSLIM: (Eng.): The Book Of Imaarah: (The book on Government): Chapter: (798): The value of an action depends on the intention behind it: vol. 3, p. 1056, no. 4692.
3. SUNAN AT-TIRMITHEE (ARB): Kitaab Al-Jihaad: chapter (16) Ruling about the one who fights for the sake of people and for the worldly purpose: vol. 2, p. 128, no. 1713-1343. (Albaanee).
4. SUNAN NASA’I-: (Eng.) Kitaab At-Tahaarah (Book Of Purification): Chapter: (60): Pertaining to Neeyah (intention) for Ablution: vol. 1, p. 160, no. 76.
5. SUNAN ABU DAWUD: (Eng.): Kitaab At-Talaaq (The Book of Divorce): Chapter: (727): On allusions of Divorce and on intentions: vol. 2, pp. 593-4, no. 2195.
6. SUNAN IBN-I-MAJAH: (Eng.): Kitaab Az-Zuhd (The book of Piety): Chapter: (26): Intention: vol. 5, p. 476, no. 4227.
7. MUSNAD IMAM AHMAD.
EXPLANATION OF THE HADEETH: (1):
The Prophet () said this on the occasion of someone’s emigration from Makkah to Madeenah not for the sake of the Islamic Cause but to marry a woman who was called Ummul Qays, who had stipulated that he should emigrate if he wanted to marry her. Hence, he did migrate to Madeenah, and was titled emigrant of Ummul Qays because he married her.
This hadeeth forms the sum and substance of the teaching of Islam. It is one of the fundamental principles of law in all ages. This hadeeth implies a general principle, i.e. one is rewarded for his deeds according to his real intentions not according to his actual deeds, which might be good in them but motivated, by an ill intention. The rewards for the Emigrants differ according to their intentions, i.e. whether they emigrated for worldly benefits or for the Pleasure of Allaah and His Messenger. The acceptance of an action for reward by Allaah depends on the nature of an intention for which an action is done. If the intention working behind and action is sincere and the action is done for seeking the countenance of Allaah, the action is accepted and rewarded by Allaah. Contrary to it, if the motive behind an action is to gain some worldly benefits or earn a good name in the world and there is no bit of sincerity in seeking the pleasures of Allaah, then the action will have no worth and weight in the Hereafter. Instead, the man will be punished for such action, as it is not based on good intention. In the Hereafter, everyone will be judged according to his intentions.
Significance of sincere intention in the life:
The main object of the life of a Muslim, from the beginning to the end is to achieve the pleasure of Allaah. All his energies should, therefore, be directed to the achievement of this single goal. The deed, however noble it may superficially appear, or task, however great and useful it may seem to the people, has no value in Islam if it is not done or undertaken purely for the love of Allaah. The work done for other means and ends, besides seeking the pleasure of Allaah, is valueless in Islam.
Unfortunately however, form has been more important now a day than spirit, and religion has now become unimportant thing in life of the human beings. This hadeeth is considered to be one of the great principles of the Divine Faith. It purifies the heart of a man from all kinds of impurities, e.g. mannerism, showing off, ignoble pursuits of life, love for wealth, power, pride, and vanity, and makes him a silent, honest and untiring worker in the cause of Allaah, absolutely free from the love of low desires. This hadeeth also solves one of the problems of ethics pertaining to the relationship of ends and means.
Herein the Messenger of Allaah clearly told us that for the achievement of the good ends, it is essential that the means should also be good and above all the intention for which those means are to be employed should also be good. The golden lock is opened with golden key. It is with pious intention one should pursue noble ends and one should achieve noble goals. If the intention is not noble, the end is bound to be ignoble, though it may not appear to be so to the superficial observer.
Sincere intention and worship:
According to all jurists and Imaams that sincere intention (NEEYAH) is a condition precedent to the validity of an action, and an action without Neeyah is void. All kind of worship like, Prayer, Fasting, Pilgrimage, and Zakaat will be accepted or rejected based on the intention. Allaah will accept these acts of worship only when it is carried out purely to please Him alone. One must have sincere intention before carrying out any act of worship. The Prophet has not specified any particular words of expression while making intention (neeyah). Therefore, it is bid‘ah (innovation in the religion) to utter words while making neeyah.
Bid ‘ah or Innovation in Islam:
The Messenger of Allaah has said very serious statement regarding the innovation in the religion. He said:
“The best word is the Book of Allaah and the best way is that of Muhammad (). The worst deed is innovation and each innovation is a deviation from Islam.”
Reference:
Imaam Muslim has recorded this hadeeth in his book SAHIH MUSLIM (Eng.):Kitaab As-Salaah (The book of Prayer): Chapter: (309): Shortness of Prayer And Sermon: vol. 2, p. 410, no. 1885.
The above hadeeth is very clear that nothing can be better than the Glorious Qur’aan and the Sunnah of the Prophet (). It is also very clear that innovation in the religion is the worst of deeds, and it will deviate an innovator from Islam. He further said in another hadeeth:
“Every deviation from Islam leads to Hell-fire.”
Reference:
Imaam An-Nasaaee recorded the above hadeeth in his book SUNAN NASA’I (Eng.): Kitaab Salaat Al-‘Idain: Chapter: (948): On Delivering of Sermon: vol. 2, pp. 343-4, no. 1581.
It is clear from the above statement that innovation in the religion will lead an innovator to the Hell-Fire. Further, it is mentioned in the hadeeth that the innovator’s deeds are not accepted. The Messenger of Allaah did not considered him amongst Muslims.
Aayshah has reported another hadeeth saying that the Messenger of Allaah said:
“Whoever invents something in our faith which does not originally exist, has nothing to do with us.”
Imaam Muslim has recorded the above hadeeth in his book SAHIH MUSLIM (Eng.): Kitaab Al-Aqdeeyah (The Book Pertaining to Judicial Decisions): vol. 3, p. 931, nos. 4266-7.
The innovator in the above hadeeth is not considered amongst Muslims.
‘Aayshah reported that the Prophet () said:
“Whoever does an act which is not in agreement with our faith, such an act is rejected.”
Imaam Al-Bukhaaree has mentioned this hadeeth in his book SAHIH AL BUKHARI; (Eng.): Kitaab As-Sulh(The book of peacemaking or reconciliation): Chapter: (5): If some people are reconciled on illegal basis, their reconciliation is rejected: vol. 3, p. 535, no. 861.
‘Irbaad ibn Saariyah reported that the Prophet () said:
“Whoever survives me would observe many differences. However, you should follow my sunnah and that of my rightly guided caliphs. Adhere to it firmly. Beware! Avoid innovation, for each innovation is a deviation from Islam.”
Imaam Abu Dawud has mentioned this hadeeth in his book SUNAN ABU DAWUD (Eng.):Kitaab As-Sunnah (Adherence to the Sunnah): chapter: (1683): Adherence to Sunnah: vol. 3, p. 1294, no. 4590.
Sincere intention and worldly actions:
Any worldly action like, sleeping, eating food, walking, etc. if done with the intention to seek Allaah’s pleasure and done according to the correct teaching of the Prophet, then such act becomes act of worship and hence will get reward from Allaah. All kind of good done to the relatives or other men or women or any act towards progress of Islam, such act is considered as a religious act.