Hadith #10766

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

The Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states,

Righteous intention is one of the two actions.

This beautiful Hadith highlights the significance of having a pure and sincere intention in our actions. Let us delve deeper into the words of this Hadith and explore its meaning in light of the Quran.

The word (niyyah) "نِيَّة" in Arabic refers to intention. It is the conscious decision and motive behind our actions. The term (saliha) "صَالِحَة" means righteous or good. Therefore, the Hadith emphasizes the importance of having a virtuous and sincere intention in our deeds.

The Quran provides numerous verses that emphasize the significance of intention in our actions. 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 highlights the essence of sincerity and purity of intention in worshiping Allah. It reminds us that our acts of worship should be solely for the sake of Allah, seeking His pleasure and not for any worldly gain or recognition. Our intention should be to fulfill our duty towards Allah and to seek His pleasure alone.

Another verse that emphasizes the importance of intention is found in Surah Al-Kahf, where Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says, (Quran 51:18)

And they were [in their estimation] awake [and alert] during the night, seeking forgiveness before dawn.

This verse refers to the people of the cave who sought forgiveness from Allah in the depths of the night. Their intention was to repent sincerely and seek Allah's mercy. Their actions were driven by a righteous intention, which led to their ultimate salvation and the preservation of their faith.

The Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) reminds us that our intentions are not mere thoughts or feelings, but they have a profound impact on the value and reward of our actions. It teaches us that our deeds are not judged solely based on their outward appearance, but also on the purity and sincerity of our intentions.

For example, if someone performs a good deed, such as giving charity, with the intention of showing off or seeking praise from others, their action loses its value in the sight of Allah. On the other hand, if someone performs the same act of charity with a sincere intention of seeking Allah's pleasure and helping those in need, their action becomes a means of attaining closeness to Allah and earning His rewards.

The Hadith also highlights the concept of intention being one of the two actions. This implies that our intention holds great significance and can have a profound impact on the outcome and consequences of our actions. It serves as a reminder that our intentions shape our actions and ultimately determine their value and impact.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) teaches us the importance of having a righteous and sincere intention in our actions. It reminds us that our deeds are not judged solely based on their outward appearance, but also on the purity and sincerity of our intentions. By aligning our intentions with the teachings of the Quran and the guidance of the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), we can strive to make our actions more meaningful and pleasing to Allah. May Allah grant us the ability to purify our intentions and make all our actions righteous and sincere.