Hadith #10793

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Praise be to Allah, the Lord of all worlds, and blessings and peace 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,

One whose intention is good is assisted with God-given success.

This Hadith emphasizes the significance of having pure and sincere intentions in all our actions. Let us delve deeper into the words of this Hadith and explore its meaning in light of the Quran.

The key words in this Hadith are (hasunat niyyatuhu) "حَسُنَتْ نِيَّتُهُ", which translates to "good intention." The word (hasunat) "حَسُنَتْ" is derived from the root word (hasana) "حَسَنَ", which means

to be good, beautiful, or excellent.

It signifies the quality of goodness and righteousness. (niyyatuhu) "نِيَّتُهُ" refers to one's intention or motive behind an action.

The Quran emphasizes the importance of good intentions in numerous verses. In Surah Al-Baqarah, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says, (2: 3)

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 necessity of sincerity and purity of intention in worshiping Allah.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Isra, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) states, (6: 162-163)

Say, 'Indeed, my prayer, my rites of sacrifice, my living and my dying are for Allah, Lord of the worlds. No partner has He. And this I have been commanded, and I am the first [among you] of the Muslims'

These verses emphasize the importance of dedicating our actions solely to Allah, with no ulterior motives or associations.

The Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) teaches us that when our intentions are pure and righteous, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) assists us with success. This assistance can manifest in various forms, such as guidance, blessings, and favorable outcomes. When our intentions align with the pleasure of Allah, He facilitates our path towards achieving our goals and grants us success in both this world and the hereafter.

For example, if a person intends to perform a good deed, such as giving charity, with the sole intention of seeking the pleasure of Allah and helping those in need, Allah will bless their efforts and grant them success. Their act of charity will not only benefit the recipient but also purify their own soul and bring them closer to Allah.

Conversely, if someone performs a seemingly righteous action but with impure intentions, such as seeking praise or recognition from others, their actions may not be rewarded by Allah. In Surah Al-Ma'un, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) warns against such behavior, saying, (107: 4-7)

So woe to those who pray [but] who are heedless of their prayer - those who make show [of their deeds] and withhold [simple] assistance

This verse highlights the importance of sincerity and warns against performing acts of worship for the sake of showmanship or worldly gains.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) reminds us of the profound impact our intentions have on our actions and their outcomes. When our intentions are pure and aligned with the pleasure of Allah, He assists us with success. It is crucial for us, as Muslims, to constantly evaluate our intentions and strive for sincerity in all our endeavors. May Allah grant us the ability to purify our intentions and bless us with success in this world and the hereafter.