Hadith #1707

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. All praise is due to Allah, the Lord of all the worlds. May peace and blessings be upon our beloved Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), his pure progeny, and his noble companions.

The Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states,

The grant [of reward] from Allah is proportionate to the [sincerity of] intention.

This beautiful Hadith emphasizes the importance of intention in our actions and highlights the divine principle that Allah's blessings and rewards are directly linked to the purity and sincerity of our intentions.

Let us delve into the key words of this Hadith to gain a deeper understanding. The word (niyyah) "نِيَّة" refers to intention, which is the driving force behind our actions. It is the conscious decision and motivation that precedes any deed. The word (atiyyah) "عَطِيَّة" means grant or gift, indicating that the rewards bestowed by Allah are given as a gift in accordance with the sincerity of our intentions.

The importance of intention in Islam is emphasized in the Quran as well. In Surah Al-Baqarah, Allah says, (Quran 98:5)

And they were not commanded except to worship Allah, [being] sincere to Him in religion, inclining to truth, and to establish prayer and to give zakah. And that is the correct religion.

This verse highlights the significance of sincerity in worship, which is directly related to the purity of intention.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Isra, Allah states, (Quran 6:162-163)

Say, 'Indeed, my prayer, my rites of sacrifice, my living and my dying are for Allah, Lord of the worlds. No partner has He. And this I have been commanded, and I am the first [among you] of the Muslims.'

These verses emphasize the need for our actions to be solely for the sake of Allah, without any association of partners or hidden motives.

The Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) serves as a reminder for Muslims to constantly evaluate their intentions before engaging in any act of worship or good deed. It teaches us that the rewards we receive from Allah are directly proportional to the purity and sincerity of our intentions. If our intention is solely for seeking the pleasure of Allah and fulfilling our duty as His servants, then the blessings and rewards from Him will be abundant.

For example, if a person prays with the intention of showing off or seeking praise from others, their reward will be diminished as their intention was not purely for the sake of Allah. On the other hand, if a person prays with a sincere intention of seeking closeness to Allah and fulfilling their obligation as a Muslim, their reward will be multiplied.

This Hadith also serves as a motivation for Muslims to constantly purify their intentions and strive for sincerity in all aspects of their lives. It reminds us that our actions are not merely judged by their outward appearance, but rather by the intentions behind them. It encourages us to reflect upon our intentions and rectify them if they are tainted with any worldly desires or egoistic motives.

Moreover, this Hadith highlights the consequences of having sincere intentions. When our intentions are pure, our actions become a means of attaining closeness to Allah and seeking His pleasure. We become more conscious of our deeds and strive to perform them in the best possible manner. Our sincerity in worship and good deeds enhances our spiritual growth and strengthens our relationship with Allah.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) teaches us that the rewards and blessings from Allah are directly linked to the sincerity of our intentions. It emphasizes the importance of constantly purifying our intentions and striving for sincerity in all our actions. By doing so, we can attain closeness to Allah, seek His pleasure, and receive abundant rewards from Him. May Allah grant us the ability to purify our intentions and make our actions solely for His sake.