Hadith #7720

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. All praise is due to Allah, the Lord of all the worlds. 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,

صَلاحُ العَمَلِ بِصَلاحِ النِّيَّةِ۔

This can be translated as,

The goodness of an action is [gauged] by the righteousness of [its] intention.

This amazing Hadith emphasizes the importance of having a pure and sincere intention behind our actions.

Let us first analyze the key words in this Hadith. The word (salah) "صَلاحُ" refers to goodness, righteousness, or rectitude. It signifies the quality of being morally upright and virtuous. The word (amal) "عَمَلِ" means action or deed. It encompasses all types of actions, whether they are physical, verbal, or even thoughts. Lastly, the word (niyyah) "نِّيَّةِ" refers to intention. It is the internal motivation or purpose behind our actions.

To understand the significance of this Hadith, we can turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Baqarah, verse 177:

It is not righteousness that you turn your faces toward the east or the west, but [true] righteousness is [in] one who believes in Allah, the Last Day, the angels, the Book, and the prophets and gives wealth, in spite of love for it, to relatives, orphans, the needy, the traveler, those who ask [for help], and for freeing slaves; [and who] establishes prayer and gives zakah; [those who] fulfill their promise when they promise; and [those who] are patient in poverty and hardship and during battle. Those are the ones who have been true, and it is those who are the righteous.

This verse highlights that true righteousness is not merely in the external acts of worship, but it lies in the sincerity of faith and the intention behind our actions. It is the combination of belief in Allah, the Last Day, and the principles of Islam, along with the practical implementation of these beliefs through acts of charity, fulfilling promises, and patience in times of difficulty.

Another verse that supports the Hadith is found in Surah Al-Ma'idah, verse 35:

O you who have believed, fear Allah and seek the means [of nearness] to Him and strive in His cause that you may succeed.

This verse emphasizes the importance of seeking nearness to Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) through our actions. It is not the external appearance of our deeds that matters, but rather the purity of our intentions and the effort we put into striving for His cause.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) statement serves as a reminder for Muslims to constantly reflect on their intentions before engaging in any action. It encourages us to purify our intentions and align them with the teachings of Islam. When our intentions are righteous, our actions become a means of attaining closeness to Allah and seeking His pleasure.

For example, if someone donates money to a charitable cause, their intention should not be to gain recognition or praise from others. Instead, their intention should be solely to please Allah and help those in need. By doing so, their action becomes a source of goodness and righteousness.

On the other hand, if someone performs a good deed with a selfish or insincere intention, such as seeking personal gain or showing off, then the goodness of their action is diminished. This highlights the importance of self-reflection and self-accountability in our actions.

Furthermore, the Hadith reminds us that the intention behind our actions can have profound consequences. If our intentions are pure and righteous, our actions will be rewarded by Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) in this life and the hereafter. Conversely, if our intentions are corrupt or insincere, our actions may be futile and devoid of any spiritual benefit.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) teaches us that the goodness of an action is determined by the righteousness of its intention. It emphasizes the importance of sincerity and purity of intention in all aspects of our lives. By aligning our intentions with the teachings of Islam and seeking the pleasure of Allah, our actions become a means of attaining righteousness and spiritual growth. May Allah guide us all to have sincere intentions and grant us the ability to perform righteous deeds.