Hadith #10777

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

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

بِحُسْنِ النِّيّاتِ تُنْجَحُ المَطالِبُ۔

This can be translated as,

Through good intentions, what is sought is attained.

Let us delve into the deeper meanings of this profound Hadith in light of the Quran. The word (husn) "حُسْنِ" means "good" or "excellent," and (niyyah) "النِّيَّةِ" refers to "intention" or "purpose." The word (tunjah) "تُنْجَحُ" means "is attained" or "is successful," and (almatalib) "المَطَالِبُ" refers to "what is sought" or "desired goals."

In the Quran, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) emphasizes the importance of intentions in numerous verses. 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 and purity of intention in worshiping Allah. It teaches us that our actions should be solely for the sake of Allah, without any ulterior motives or desires for worldly gains. When our intentions are pure and focused on pleasing Allah, our efforts are more likely to be successful and rewarded.

Another verse that supports the Hadith of Imam Ali is found in Surah Al-An'am, where Allah says, (Quran 42:25)

And it is He who accepts repentance from his servants and pardons misdeeds, and He knows what you do.

This verse reminds us that Allah is the one who accepts our repentance and forgives our sins. It emphasizes the importance of having sincere intentions when seeking forgiveness from Allah. When we genuinely repent and seek forgiveness with a pure heart, Allah, in His infinite mercy, accepts our repentance and grants us His forgiveness.

Now, let us reflect on the profound wisdom of Imam Ali's Hadith. When we embark on any endeavor or seek to achieve our goals, our intentions play a crucial role in determining the outcome. If our intentions are pure and aligned with the teachings of Islam, our efforts are more likely to be successful. This is because Allah rewards those who strive for His sake and seek to please Him.

For example, if a person intends to perform acts of charity solely to gain recognition and praise from others, their intentions are not pure. However, if someone's intention is to help those in need and seek the pleasure of Allah, their actions are more likely to be accepted and rewarded by Allah.

Similarly, when we seek knowledge, our intentions should be focused on seeking the truth and benefiting ourselves and others. If our intention is to show off or gain worldly recognition, our pursuit of knowledge may become tainted. However, if our intention is to gain knowledge to serve Allah and His creation, our efforts will be blessed and fruitful.

The consequences of having good intentions are not limited to this world alone. In the Hereafter, Allah will reward those with pure intentions abundantly. In Surah Al-Qasas, Allah says, (Quran 28:84)

Indeed, Allah does not allow to be lost the reward of those who do good.

This verse assures us that Allah will not let the efforts of those with good intentions go to waste. Even if we may not see the immediate results of our actions in this world, Allah, in His infinite wisdom, will reward us in the Hereafter. Therefore, it is essential for us as Muslims to constantly purify our intentions and strive to align them with the teachings of Islam.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) teaches us the profound importance of having good intentions. When our intentions are pure and focused on pleasing Allah, our efforts are more likely to be successful and rewarded. We must strive to align our intentions with the teachings of Islam in all aspects of our lives, whether it be worship, seeking knowledge, or any other endeavor. May Allah grant us the ability to purify our intentions and grant us success in this world and the Hereafter.