Hadith #7713

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Praise be to Allah, the Lord of all the worlds. Peace and blessings be upon our beloved Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), his pure progeny, the Ahl al-Bayt, and his noble companions.

The Arabic Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states,

رُبَّ عَمَل أفْسَدَتْهُ النِّيَّةُ۔

This Hadith is translated as,

Many an action is corrupted by the intention.

Let us first delve into the meanings of the important words in this Hadith. The word (amal) "عَمَل" refers to an action or deed. It encompasses all types of actions, whether they are physical, verbal, or even thoughts. (afsadat) "أفْسَدَتْ" means to corrupt or spoil, indicating that the intention has the power to ruin or invalidate an action. Finally, (niyyah) "النِّيَّةُ" refers to the intention or motive behind an action.

To understand the enlightening message of this Hadith, we turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Baqarah (2:197),

It is not their meat nor their blood that reaches Allah, but it is your piety that reaches Him.

This verse emphasizes that the intention behind our actions is what truly matters to Allah. It is not the external form of the action that holds significance, but rather the purity and sincerity of our intentions.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Isra (17:84), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) states,

Say: 'Each works according to his manner, but your Lord best knows who is best guided on the way.'

This verse highlights that Allah is fully aware of our intentions and judges us based on our individual circumstances and intentions. It is not the quantity or outward appearance of our actions that determines our righteousness, but rather the sincerity and purity of our intentions.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) Hadith serves as a reminder to Muslims that the intention behind our actions holds immense importance. It is not enough to merely perform acts of worship or engage in good deeds; we must ensure that our intentions are pure and solely for the sake of Allah. If our intentions are corrupted by worldly desires, seeking praise from others, or any other ulterior motives, then even the most virtuous actions can be rendered void in the eyes of Allah.

For example, if a person donates a large sum of money to a charitable cause, but their intention is to gain recognition or show off their wealth, then their action loses its spiritual value. On the other hand, if a person gives a small amount of money with a sincere intention to help those in need and seek the pleasure of Allah, their action becomes immensely valuable in the sight of Allah.

This Hadith also serves as a reminder that our intentions have consequences and impact the outcomes of our actions. If our intentions are pure and aligned with the teachings of Islam, our actions will be blessed and rewarded by Allah. Conversely, if our intentions are tainted, our actions may not receive the desired spiritual benefits.

Reflecting on this Hadith, we should constantly examine our intentions before engaging in any action. We should strive to purify our intentions, seeking only the pleasure of Allah and the betterment of ourselves and others. By doing so, we can ensure that our actions are accepted and rewarded by Allah, and that they contribute to our spiritual growth and the betterment of society.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) serves as a powerful reminder to Muslims that the intention behind our actions holds great significance. It is not the external form of the action that matters, but rather the purity and sincerity of our intentions. We must strive to purify our intentions, seeking only the pleasure of Allah, and ensure that our actions are aligned with the teachings of Islam. May Allah guide us to have pure intentions and accept our actions.