Hadith #10779

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,

تَخْلِيصُ النِّيَّةِ مِنَ الفَسادِ أشَدُّ عَلَى العامِلينَ مِنْ طُولِ الجِهادِ

which translates to

Making intentions sincere and free from corruption is more difficult for the doers [of good deeds] than a long, hard struggle.

Let us delve into the important words of this Hadith and their meanings. (takhlees) "تَخْلِيصُ" refers to purifying or making something sincere. (niyyah) "النِّيَّةِ" means intention, the underlying motive behind an action. (fasad) "الفَسادِ" signifies corruption or impurity. (ashadd) "أشَدُّ" means more difficult or harder. (al-'amileen) "العامِلينَ" refers to the doers or performers of good deeds. (tool) "طُولِ" denotes length or duration. (al-jihad) "الجِهادِ" refers to struggle or striving in the path of Allah.

To understand the impactful message 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 emphasizes the importance of sincere intentions and righteous actions. It teaches us that true righteousness lies not in mere outward rituals, but in the purity of our intentions and the sincerity of our deeds. The struggle to purify our intentions and keep them free from corruption is indeed a greater challenge than engaging in physical battles or long-lasting struggles.

Another verse that sheds light on the significance of intention is found in Surah Al-Ma'idah, verse 27:

And recite to them the story of Adam's two sons, in truth, when they both offered a sacrifice [to Allah], and it was accepted from one of them but was not accepted from the other. Said [the latter], 'I will surely kill you.' Said [the former], 'Indeed, Allah only accepts from the righteous [who fear Him].'

This verse highlights the story of Cain and Abel, where the acceptance of their sacrifices was based on the sincerity of their intentions. Abel's sacrifice was accepted because his intention was pure and sincere, while Cain's sacrifice was rejected due to his corrupt intention. This serves as a reminder that Allah values the purity of our intentions and judges us accordingly.

Reflecting on the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), we understand that making our intentions sincere and free from corruption is a challenging task. It requires constant self-reflection, self-purification, and self-accountability. It is easier to engage in physical struggles or perform outwardly righteous acts, but the true test lies in the purity of our intentions.

For example, a person may engage in acts of charity to gain recognition or praise from others rather than seeking the pleasure of Allah. Their intention is corrupted by the desire for worldly validation, and thus, their good deed loses its sincerity and reward. On the other hand, someone who strives to purify their intention, seeking only the pleasure of Allah, faces the greater struggle of battling their ego, desires, and external influences.

The consequences of having corrupt intentions can be detrimental to our spiritual growth and relationship with Allah. It can lead to hypocrisy, insincerity, and a lack of true faith. Conversely, when we strive to purify our intentions, our actions become a means of drawing closer to Allah and attaining His pleasure. It strengthens our faith, enhances our character, and brings us closer to the path of righteousness.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) emphasizes the importance of making our intentions sincere and free from corruption. It reminds us that this task is more challenging than engaging in physical struggles or long-lasting battles. By reflecting on the Quranic verses that emphasize the significance of intention, we understand the impactful message of this Hadith. May Allah guide us to purify our intentions and grant us the strength to strive for sincerity in all our actions.