Hadith #10795

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 Arabic Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states,

لاعَمَلَ لِمَنْ لانِيَّةَ لَهُ۔

This can be translated as,

He who has no intention has no action.

This beautiful saying of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) highlights the significance of intention in the performance of any action.

The word (laniyyah) "لانِيَّةَ" in this Hadith refers to intention or motive. It is derived from the root word (lana) "لَنَا", which means to have a purpose or aim. Intention is the driving force behind our actions, as it determines the sincerity and righteousness of our deeds.

The importance of intention in Islam is emphasized in the Quran as well. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Baqarah, verse 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 highlights that true righteousness is not merely in the external acts of worship, but also in the purity of one's intention. It is the combination of belief in Allah, sincere acts of charity, fulfilling promises, and patience in times of difficulty that defines true righteousness. This aligns with the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), as it emphasizes the necessity of intention in order for an action to hold value in the sight of Allah.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Ma'idah, verse 27, 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.'

This verse narrates the story of the sons of Adam (peace be upon him) and highlights the importance of intention in the acceptance of deeds. Both sons offered a sacrifice, but only the sacrifice of the righteous son was accepted by Allah. This indicates that the acceptance of an action is not solely based on the act itself, but also on the intention behind it.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) Hadith reminds us that our actions are meaningless if they lack a sincere and righteous intention. It is not enough to simply go through the motions of worship or perform good deeds without a genuine desire to please Allah. Our intentions must be pure and directed solely towards seeking the pleasure of Allah.

For example, if a person prays solely to show off or gain praise from others, their prayer loses its value in the sight of Allah. On the other hand, if a person prays with the intention of seeking closeness to Allah and fulfilling their duty as a servant, their prayer becomes a means of spiritual elevation and reward.

Similarly, if someone gives charity only to be recognized or to fulfill societal expectations, their act of charity loses its sincerity. However, if a person gives charity with the intention of helping those in need and seeking the pleasure of Allah, their act becomes a means of purification and blessings.

The consequences of neglecting intention can be detrimental to our spiritual growth. If we perform actions without a sincere intention, we risk falling into the trap of hypocrisy and insincerity. Our deeds may become empty rituals devoid of any spiritual significance. Therefore, it is crucial for Muslims to constantly examine their intentions and strive for sincerity in all their actions.

Reflecting on Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) Hadith, we are reminded of the importance of intention in Islam. Our actions are not judged solely on their outward appearance, but also on the purity and sincerity of our intentions. Let us strive to purify our intentions, seeking only the pleasure of Allah in all that we do. May Allah guide us to be among those who have righteous intentions and accept our actions for His sake.