Hadith #7778

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,

Righteous action is not complete except with righteous intention.

This enlightening Hadith emphasizes the importance of having a pure and sincere intention when performing any act of righteousness. To delve deeper into the meaning of this hadith, let us analyze the key words and their implications.

The word (sālih) "صالِحُ" refers to a righteous or virtuous action. It encompasses any act that is in accordance with the teachings of Islam and is pleasing to Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). This can include acts of worship, such as prayer, fasting, and charity, as well as acts of kindness, honesty, and justice in our daily lives.

The word (ʿamal) "عَمَلِ" means action or deed. It signifies the physical manifestation of our intentions and beliefs. Our actions are a reflection of our inner state and serve as a means of worship and self-improvement.

The word (niyyah) "نِيَّةِ" refers to intention. It is the driving force behind our actions and determines their spiritual value. A righteous intention is one that is solely directed towards seeking the pleasure of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) and attaining His nearness. It involves sincerity, purity of heart, and a conscious effort to align our actions with the teachings of Islam.

The Quran provides numerous verses that support the importance of having a righteous intention. In Surah Al-Baqarah, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) 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 and the necessity of having a righteous intention. It emphasizes that true worship is not merely a physical act, but rather an act of the heart that is performed solely for the sake of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ).

Another verse that supports the hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) is found in Surah Al-Kahf, where Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says, (Quran 18:110)

Whoever would hope for the meeting with his Lord - let him do righteous work and not associate in the worship of his Lord anyone.

This verse emphasizes the importance of performing righteous actions with the correct intention. It teaches us that our actions should be solely directed towards seeking the pleasure of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) and should not be tainted by any form of association or polytheism.

The hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) serves as a reminder for Muslims to constantly evaluate their intentions and purify them for the sake of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). It highlights that the true value of any righteous action lies not in its outward appearance, but in the sincerity and purity of the intention behind it.

For example, if a person prays with the intention of showing off or seeking praise from others, their prayer loses its spiritual essence and becomes void of any reward. On the other hand, if a person prays with a sincere intention to worship Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) and seek His pleasure, their prayer becomes a means of spiritual elevation and closeness to Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ).

Similarly, acts of charity, fasting, and other righteous deeds must be performed with a pure and sincere intention to attain the pleasure of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) and seek His reward. This intention should be the driving force behind our actions, motivating us to perform them in the best possible manner and with utmost sincerity.

In conclusion, the hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) reminds us that righteous actions are incomplete without righteous intentions. It emphasizes the importance of purifying our intentions and aligning them with the teachings of Islam. By doing so, we can ensure that our actions are accepted by Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) and bring us closer to Him. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the ability to always have sincere and righteous intentions in all our actions.