Hadith #10774

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. All praise is due to Allah, the Lord of all worlds. May peace and blessings be upon our beloved Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), his pure and noble Ahl al-Bayt, and his righteous companions.

The Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states,

Intention is the basis of action.

This impactful Hadith emphasizes the importance of having a sincere and pure intention in all our actions. Let us delve into the deeper meaning of this Hadith in light of the Quran.

The Arabic word (niyyah) "نِيَّةُ" refers to one's intention or motive behind an action. It is the driving force that determines the purpose and sincerity of our deeds. The word (asas) "أساسُ" means the foundation or basis upon which something is built. Therefore, this Hadith teaches us that our intentions form the very foundation of our actions.

The Quran provides numerous verses that highlight the significance of intention in our worship and deeds. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Baqarah (2:177),

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 that true righteousness lies not in mere external acts, but in the sincerity of our belief and the purity of our intentions. It is not enough to perform acts of worship for show or to seek praise from others. Rather, our actions should be driven by a genuine desire to please Allah and seek His pleasure alone.

Another verse that supports the Hadith is found in Surah Al-Ma'idah (5:27), where Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says,

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].'

In this story of Cain and Abel, we see that the acceptability of their sacrifices was not solely based on the outward form, but rather on the sincerity and righteousness of their intentions. Abel's sacrifice was accepted because it was offered with a pure heart, while Cain's was rejected due to his insincere and corrupt intention.

Reflecting on the Hadith, we understand that our intentions have a profound impact on the consequences and rewards of our actions. If our intentions are pure and solely for the sake of Allah, our actions will be blessed and rewarded accordingly. Conversely, if our intentions are tainted with worldly desires or seeking praise from others, our actions may lose their value in the sight of Allah.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), known for his deep knowledge and wisdom, reminds us that our intentions should be the driving force behind all our actions. Whether it is in our worship, interactions with others, or striving for excellence in our work, we should constantly examine our intentions and purify them for the sake of Allah.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) teaches us that intention is the foundation upon which our actions are built. It reminds us to constantly purify our intentions and seek the pleasure of Allah in all that we do. By aligning our intentions with the teachings of the Quran, we can ensure that our actions are sincere, righteous, and deserving of Allah's acceptance and reward. May Allah guide us to have pure intentions and grant us success in this world and the Hereafter.