Hadith #10784

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 purified progeny, and his noble companions.

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

رُبَّ نِيَّة أنْفَعُ مِنْ عَمَل۔

This can be translated as,

Many an intention is more beneficial than action.

Let us delve into the essence of this Hadith by examining the important words and their implications.

The word (niyyah) "نِيَّة" in this Hadith refers to intention. It is the internal state of mind that precedes any action. Intention is the driving force behind our actions, as it determines the sincerity and purpose of our deeds. It is through intention that we seek to please Allah and gain His rewards.

The word (amal) "عَمَل" means action. It refers to the physical and tangible acts that we perform in our daily lives. These actions can be acts of worship, such as prayer and fasting, or acts of kindness and charity towards others. Our actions are a manifestation of our intentions and reflect the state of our hearts.

To understand the profound wisdom behind Imam Ali's statement, let us turn to the Quran for guidance. 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 emphasizes the importance of sincerity in worship and the intention behind our actions. It reminds us that our worship should be solely for the sake of Allah, without any ulterior motives or desires for worldly gains. It is the purity of our intentions that elevates our actions and makes them truly beneficial.

Another verse that sheds light on the significance of intention is found in Surah Al-Mumtahanah, where Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says, (Quran 60:8)

Allah does not forbid you from those who do not fight you because of religion and do not expel you from your homes - from being righteous toward them and acting justly toward them. Indeed, Allah loves those who act justly.

This verse highlights the importance of having good intentions and treating others with justice and kindness. It reminds us that our intentions should be rooted in righteousness and fairness, even towards those who may not share our beliefs or values. Our intentions to do good and act justly towards others can have a profound impact on their lives and our own spiritual growth.

Imam Ali's statement,

Many an intention is more beneficial than action,

serves as a reminder that the sincerity and purity of our intentions hold great significance in the eyes of Allah. It is not merely the outward actions that matter, but the intentions behind them that truly determine their worth.

For example, if a person intends to perform a good deed, such as giving charity, but is unable to do so due to circumstances beyond their control, their intention is still rewarded by Allah. This is because Allah judges us based on our intentions and the efforts we make, rather than solely on the outcomes of our actions.

Similarly, if a person performs an action without a sincere intention, seeking only praise or recognition from others, then their action loses its true value in the sight of Allah. It is the intention behind the action that gives it its spiritual weight and elevates it to a higher level of righteousness.

Imam Ali's profound statement serves as a reminder for Muslims to constantly reflect on their intentions and strive for sincerity in all their actions. It encourages us to purify our hearts and align our intentions with the teachings of Islam. By doing so, we can ensure that our actions are not only beneficial to ourselves but also to the wider community and society as a whole.

In conclusion, Imam Ali's Hadith reminds us that intentions hold great significance in Islam. It is through sincere and pure intentions that our actions become truly beneficial and pleasing to Allah. Let us strive to purify our intentions, seeking the pleasure of Allah in all that we do, and may He accept our intentions and actions.