Hadith #10787

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 pure progeny, and his noble companions.

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

When the intention becomes corrupt, blessings are taken away.

This enlightening Hadith highlights the significance of having a pure and sincere intention in all our actions. Let us delve deeper into the meaning of this Hadith in light of the Quranic teachings.

Firstly, let us examine the key words in this Hadith. The word (fasad) "فَسَاد" refers to corruption or deviation from the right path. It implies a distortion or deterioration of something that was once sound and upright. The word (niyyah) "نِيَّة" means intention, which is the driving force behind our actions. It is the inner motive that determines the value and righteousness of our deeds. Lastly, the word (barakah) "بَرَكَة" signifies blessings, divine favor, and abundance.

The Quran emphasizes the importance of a pure intention in numerous verses. For instance, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Ma'idah (5:27),

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 illustrates that the acceptance of one's sacrifice is contingent upon the righteousness of their intention.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-An'am (6:162), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) states,

Say, 'Indeed, my prayer, my rites of sacrifice, my living and my dying are for Allah, Lord of the worlds.'

This verse emphasizes that all our actions should be solely dedicated to pleasing Allah, and our intentions should be directed towards seeking His pleasure alone.

The Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) serves as a reminder that when our intentions become corrupted, the blessings and divine favor are taken away from our actions. This corruption of intention can manifest in various ways. For example, performing acts of worship to show off or seeking worldly gains rather than seeking the pleasure of Allah can taint our intentions. When our intentions are not sincere and solely focused on pleasing Allah, our actions lose their spiritual essence and become devoid of blessings.

The consequences of a corrupt intention are far-reaching. Not only do we lose the blessings and rewards of our actions in this world, but it also affects our Hereafter. In Surah Al-Kahf (18:103-104), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says,

Say, 'Shall We inform you of the greatest losers as to [their] deeds? [They are] those whose effort is lost in worldly life, while they think that they are doing well in work.'

Reflecting on this Hadith, we must strive to purify our intentions in all aspects of our lives. Whether it is in our acts of worship, interactions with others, or pursuing our worldly endeavors, we should constantly check our intentions and align them with the pleasure of Allah. By doing so, we ensure that our actions are filled with blessings and are accepted by Allah.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) serves as a profound reminder of the importance of a pure and sincere intention. It highlights that when our intentions become corrupt, the blessings are taken away from our actions. We must strive to purify our intentions in all aspects of our lives, seeking the pleasure of Allah alone. May Allah guide us to have sincere intentions and grant us the blessings and rewards for our righteous deeds.