Hadith #7803

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Praise be 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,

Deeds are the fruits of intentions.

This thought-provoking saying emphasizes the significance of our intentions in determining the value and outcome of our actions. Let us delve deeper into the words of this Hadith and explore its implications in light of the Quran.

The word (a'mal) "أعمال" in Arabic refers to actions or deeds. It encompasses all types of actions, whether they are physical, verbal, or even thoughts. Our actions are the visible manifestations of our intentions. They are the fruits that are produced as a result of the seeds of our intentions.

The word (thamar) "ثمار" means fruits. Just as fruits are the tangible outcomes of the seeds that are planted, our actions are the visible results of our intentions. Just as fruits can be sweet or bitter, our actions can be righteous or sinful, depending on the purity or corruption of our intentions.

The word (niyyat) "نيات" refers to intentions. Our intentions are the driving force behind our actions. They are the motives that determine the nature and purpose of our deeds. Our intentions shape our actions and give them meaning and direction.

The Quran provides us with numerous verses that highlight the importance of intentions in the sight of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). 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 emphasizes the importance of sincerity in our worship and obedience to Allah. It teaches us that our actions should be solely for the sake of Allah, without any ulterior motives or desires for worldly gains. Our intentions should be pure and focused on seeking the pleasure of Allah alone.

In another verse, Allah says, (Quran 6:162)

Say, 'Indeed, my prayer, my rites of sacrifice, my living and my dying are for Allah, Lord of the worlds.'

This verse reminds us that every aspect of our lives should be dedicated to Allah and done with the intention of seeking His pleasure. Our actions, whether big or small, should be infused with the consciousness of Allah's presence and the desire to please Him.

The Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) teaches us that the value and reward of our actions are determined by the purity and sincerity of our intentions. If our intentions are righteous and focused on pleasing Allah, our actions will bear good fruits and bring us closer to Him. On the other hand, if our intentions are corrupt or driven by worldly desires, our actions will bear bitter fruits and distance us from Allah.

For example, if someone performs a charitable act with the intention of showing off or seeking praise from others, their action loses its sincerity and becomes void of spiritual value. However, if the same act is performed with the intention of seeking the pleasure of Allah and helping those in need, it becomes a righteous deed that is rewarded by Allah.

Similarly, if someone prays with the intention of fulfilling a religious obligation without truly connecting with Allah or seeking His guidance, their prayer becomes a mere ritual devoid of spiritual essence. But if the same person prays with the intention of establishing a deep and sincere connection with Allah, their prayer becomes a means of spiritual growth and closeness to Him.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) reminds us that our intentions are the driving force behind our actions. It emphasizes the importance of sincerity and purity of intention in determining the value and outcome of our deeds. As Muslims, we should strive to purify our intentions, align them with the teachings of the Quran, and seek the pleasure of Allah in all that we do. May Allah guide us to have righteous intentions and grant us the ability to bear good fruits through our actions.