It was narrated by the two Imāms of the scholars of Hadīth - Abu ‘Abdullāh Muhammad ibn Ismā‘īl ibn Ibrāhīm ibn al-Mughīrah ibn Bardizbah al-Bukhāri and Abu al-Husayn Muslim ibn al-Hajjāj ibn Muslim aAuthenticVerily, the reward of deeds depends on intentions, and each person will be rewarded according to what he intended
Narrator in the source: The Commander of the Believers, Abu Hafs ‘Umar ibn al-Khattāb reported: I heard the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) say:
The Commander of the Believers, Abu Hafs ‘Umar ibn al-Khattāb (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: I heard the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) say: "Verily, the reward of deeds depends on intentions, and each person will be rewarded according to what he intended. So, he whose emigration is for the sake of Allah and His Messenger, his emigration will be for the sake of Allah and His Messenger, and he whose emigration is to achieve some worldly gain or take some woman in marriage, his migration will be for what he has migrated for."
- Grade in the source
- Authentic
- Reported by
- It was narrated by the two Imāms of the scholars of Hadīth - Abu ‘Abdullāh Muhammad ibn Ismā‘īl ibn Ibrāhīm ibn al-Mughīrah ibn Bardizbah al-Bukhāri and Abu al-Husayn Muslim ibn al-Hajjāj ibn Muslim a
Original Arabic wording
عَنْ أَمِيرِ المُؤْمِنِينَ أَبِي حَفْصٍ عُمَرَ بْنِ الخَطَّابِ رضي الله عنه قَالَ: سَمِعْتُ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ يَقُولُ: «إنَّمَا الأَعْمَالُ بِالنِّيَّاتِ، وَإِنَّمَا لِكُلِّ امْرِئٍ مَا نَوَى، فَمَنْ كَانَتْ هِجْرَتُهُ إلَى اللَّهِ وَرَسُولِهِ فَهِجْرَتُهُ إلَى اللَّهِ وَرَسُولِهِ، وَمَنْ كَانَتْ هِجْرَتُهُ لِدُنْيَا يُصِيبُهَا أَوْ امْرَأَةٍ يَنْكِحُهَا فَهِجْرَتُهُ إلَى مَا هَاجَرَ إلَيْهِ».
Understand this hadith ＋
The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) explains that all deeds are considered according to the intention behind them. This ruling generally applies to all deeds, including acts of worship and dealings. So, he who seeks by his deed some worldly benefit will attain that benefit and will not be rewarded for it. And he who performs a deed with the intention to draw close to Allah Almighty will be rewarded, even if his deed is an ordinary one, like eating and drinking.
Then, the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) provided an example to illustrate the impact of intention while both deeds apparently look equal. He pointed out that if a person migrates and leaves his homeland with the intention to win the pleasure of his Lord, his migration is a Shar‘i and accepted one, for which he will be rewarded, given his sincere intention; and if a person migrates to attain some worldly benefit, like wealth, high standing, business, or a wife, he will not attain anything from his migration except what benefit he intended, and no reward will be given to him.
Lessons from the hadith
- The Hadīth urges us to be sincere, for Allah only accepts the deeds that are intended for His sake.
- If a legally accountable person performs the deeds that are to be done to gain Allah's pleasure by way of habit, he will only be rewarded for them if he intends to draw close to Allah Almighty by doing them.
- The intention serves to distinguish between acts of worship themselves and also separates acts of worship from habits.
References (original Arabic)
صحيح البخاري (9/ 22) (6953)، (1/ 6) (1).
صحيح مسلم (3/ 1515) (1907).
التحفة الربانية في شرح الأربعين حديثًا النووية (ص5).
شرح الأربعين النووية، لابن عثيمين (ص5).
فتح القوي المتين في شرح الأربعين وتتمة الخمسين، للعباد (ص8).
شرح النووي على مسلم (13/ 54).
تاج العروس من جواهر القاموس، للزبيدي (7/ 196).
I am the One Who is most free from want of partners. So, he who does something for the sake of someone else beside Me, I discard him and his polytheism.'
Narrator in the source: Abu Hurayrah reported: I heard the Messenger of Allah say:
Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Allah Almighty said: 'I am the One Who is most free from want of partners. So, he who does something for the sake of someone else beside Me, I discard him and his polytheism.'"
- Grade in the source
- Authentic
- Reported by
- Narrated by Muslim
Original Arabic wording
عن أبي هريرة رضي الله عنه قال: قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم: «قَالَ اللهُ تَبَارَكَ وَتَعَالَى: أَنَا أَغْنَى الشُّرَكَاءِ عَنِ الشِّرْكِ، مَنْ عَمِلَ عَمَلًا أَشْرَكَ فِيهِ مَعِي غَيْرِي تَرَكْتُهُ وَشِرْكَهُ».
Understand this hadith ＋
The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) informs that Allah Almighty said: I am the One Who is most free from want of partners. He is Self-Sufficient beyond the need for anything; and if a person performs any good deed and devotes it to Allah and others, Allah discards this deed and does not accept it from him, and He turns it back to him. So, we should make our deeds sincerely devoted to Allah Almighty, for He only accepts what is done purely for His sake.
Lessons from the hadith
- This serves as a warning about polytheism in all its forms and means that it prevents virtuous deeds from being accepted.
- Our sense of Allah's self-sufficiency and greatness helps us do honorable deeds with sincerity to Him.
References (original Arabic)
صحيح مسلم (4/ 2289) (2985).
شرح النووي على مسلم (18/ 115).
الملخص في شرح كتاب التوحيد، لصالح الفوزان (ص287).
الجديد في شرح كتاب التوحيد، لمحمد القرعاوي (ص325).
Indeed, Allah does not look at your appearance and wealth, but He looks at your hearts and deeds.”
Narrator in the source: Abu Hurayrah reported: I heard the Messenger of Allah say:
Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Indeed, Allah does not look at your appearance and wealth, but He looks at your hearts and deeds.”
- Grade in the source
- Authentic
- Reported by
- Narrated by Muslim
Original Arabic wording
عن أبي هريرة رضي الله عنه قال: قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم: «إِنَّ اللهَ لَا يَنْظُرُ إِلَى صُوَرِكُمْ وَأَمْوَالِكُمْ، وَلَكِنْ يَنْظُرُ إِلَى قُلُوبِكُمْ وَأَعْمَالِكُمْ».
Understand this hadith ＋
The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) points out that Allah Almighty does not look at the appearance and bodies of His servants, as to whether they are beautiful or ugly, big or small, and sound or sick. And He does not look at their wealth as to whether they possess much or little. Indeed, Allah Almighty does not punish His servants or hold them accountable for these matters and their different levels regarding them. But He looks at their hearts and the piety, certitude, truthfulness, and sincerity existing therein or their intention to show off and attain a good reputation among people. He looks at their deeds and sees whether they are righteous or evil, and He gives the recompense accordingly.
Lessons from the hadith
- We should be careful to mend our hearts and purify them of any bad traits.
- Hearts become sound with sincerity, and deeds become sound by following the Prophet's example. It is both of them that Allah Almighty looks at and judges accordingly.
- A person should not be deceived by wealth, beauty, body, or worldly appearances.
- The Hadīth warns us against caring about outward appearance and failing to reform what is inside.
References (original Arabic)
صحيح مسلم (2564) (4/ 1986).
بهجة الناظرين شرح رياض الصالحين، لسليم الهلالي (1/ 40).
تطريز رياض الصالحين، لفيصل المبارك (ص14).
نزهة المتقين شرح رياض الصالحين، لمجموعة من الباحثين (1/ 25).
The first to be judged on the Day of Judgment is a man who was martyred. He will be brought and Allah will remind him of His favor [upon him], which he will recognize. Allah will say: What did you do as a token of gratitude for that favor? He will say: I fought for Your sake until I was martyred
Narrator in the source: Abu Hurayrah reported: I heard the Messenger of Allah say:
Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: I heard the Messenger of Allah (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) say: "The first to be judged on the Day of Judgment is a man who was martyred. He will be brought and Allah will remind him of His favor [upon him], which he will recognize. Allah will say: 'What did you do as a token of gratitude for that favor?' He will say: 'I fought for Your sake until I was martyred.' Allah will say: 'You have lied. You fought so it would be said that you were brave, and it was said.' It will be commanded that he be dragged on his face until he is thrown in the Fire. A man who acquired knowledge, taught it, and recited the Qur'an. He will be brought and Allah will remind him of His favor [upon him], which he will recognize. Allah will say: 'What did you do as a token of gratitude for that favor?' He will say: 'I acquired knowledge and taught it, and I recited the Qur'an for Your sake.' Allah will say: 'You have lied. You learned so it would be said that you were a scholar, and you recited the Qur'an so it would be said that you were a reciter, and that was said.' It will be commanded that he be dragged on his face until he is thrown in the Fire. A man for whom Allah expanded his resources and gave him from all types of wealth. He will be brought and Allah will remind him of His favor [upon him], which he will recognize. Allah will say: 'What did you do as a token of gratitude for that favor?' He will say: 'I left no path wherein You love to spend except that I spent therein for Your sake.' Allah will say: 'You have lied. You did that so it would be said that you were generous, and that was said.' It will be commanded that he be dragged on his face until he is thrown in the Fire."
- Grade in the source
- Authentic hadith
- Reported by
- Narrated by Muslim
Original Arabic wording
عن أبي هريرة رضي الله عنه قال: سمعت رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم يقول: «إن أول الناس يُقضى يوم القيامة عليه رجُل اسْتُشْهِدَ، فأُتي به، فعرَّفه نِعمته، فعرَفَها، قال: فما عَمِلت فيها؟ قال: قَاتَلْتُ فيك حتى اسْتُشْهِدْتُ. قال: كَذبْتَ، ولكنك قَاتَلْتَ لأن يقال: جَرِيء! فقد قيل، ثم أُمِرَ به فَسُحِب على وجهه حتى أُلقي في النار. ورجل تعلم العلم وعلمه، وقرأ القرآن، فأُتي به فعرَّفه نِعَمه فعرَفَها. قال: فما عملت فيها؟ قال: تعلمت العلم وعلمته، وقرأت فيك القرآن، قال: كَذَبْتَ، ولكنك تعلمت ليقال: عالم! وقرأت القرآن ليقال: هو قارئ؛ فقد قيل، ثم أُمِر به فَسُحِب على وجهه حتى ألقي في النار. ورجل وَسَّعَ الله عليه، وأعطاه من أصناف المال، فأُتي به فعرَّفه نِعَمه، فعرَفَها. قال: فما عملت فيها؟ قال: ما تركت من سبيل تُحِبُّ أن يُنْفَقَ فيها إلا أنفقت فيها لك. قال: كَذَبْتَ، ولكنك فعلت ليقال: جواد! فقد قيل، ثم أُمِر به فَسُحِب على وجهه حتى ألقي في النار».
Understand this hadith ＋
Three types of people will be the first to be judged on the Day of Judgment: an ostentatious fighter, an ostentatious learner, and an ostentatious charity-giver. Allah, the Almighty, will bring them and remind them of His favor upon them, which they will acknowledge. When asked about what they did with such a divine favor, they will say, respectively, that they fought, learned and taught, and gave charity for Allah's sake. The fact is that they did such things to show off, without intending them for Allah's sake. Therefore, they will be dragged on their faces and thrown in Hellfire.
References (original Arabic)
نزهة المتقين، تأليف: جمعٌ من المشايخ، الناشر: مؤسسة الرسالة، الطبعة الأولى: 1397 هـ الطبعة الرابعة عشر 1407 هـ.
بهجة الناظرين، تأليف: سليم بن عيد الهلالي، الناشر: دار ابن الجوزي، سنة النشر: 1418 هـ - 1997م.
صحيح مسلم، تأليف: مسلم بن الحجاج النيسابوري، تحقيق: محمد فؤاد عبد الباقي الناشر: دار إحياء التراث العربي – بيروت.
رياض الصالحين، تأليف: محيي الدين يحيى بن شرف النووي، تحقيق: د. ماهر بن ياسين الفحل، الطبعة: الأولى، 1428 هـ.
شرح رياض الصالحين، تأليف: محمد بن صالح العثيمين، الناشر: دار الوطن للنشر، 1426 هـ.
Allah does not accept any deed except what is done purely for Him and in pursuit of His Countenance
Narrator in the source: Abu ’Umāmah al-Bāhili reported: I heard the Messenger of Allah say:
Abu ’Umāmah al-Bāhili (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: A man came to the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) and said: "What do you think of a man who fights seeking reward and fame - what will he have?" The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "He will not have anything." He repeated it three times, and the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) would say to him: "He will not have anything." Then, he said: "Allah does not accept any deed except what is done purely for Him and in pursuit of His Countenance."
- Grade in the source
- Authentic
- Reported by
- Narrated by An-Nasā’i
Original Arabic wording
عَنْ أَبِي أُمَامَةَ الْبَاهِلِيِّ رضي الله عنه قَالَ: جَاءَ رَجُلٌ إِلَى النَّبِيِّ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ، فَقَالَ: أَرَأَيْتَ رَجُلًا غَزَا يَلْتَمِسُ الْأَجْرَ وَالذِّكْرَ، مَا لَهُ؟ فَقَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ: «لَا شَيْءَ لَهُ» فَأَعَادَهَا ثَلَاثَ مَرَّاتٍ، يَقُولُ لَهُ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ: «لَا شَيْءَ لَهُ» ثُمَّ قَالَ: «إِنَّ اللَّهَ لَا يَقْبَلُ مِنَ الْعَمَلِ إِلَّا مَا كَانَ لَهُ خَالِصًا، وَابْتُغِيَ بِهِ وَجْهُهُ»
Understand this hadith ＋
A man came to the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) to ask him and seek his Fatwa about the ruling on a man who goes out for battle and Jihad seeking reward from Allah and desiring praise and commendation from people, as to whether he will receive a reward? The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) answered him that he will have no reward because he associates others with Allah in his intention. The man repeated his question to the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) three times, and he (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) responded to him and confirmed the same answer - that he will have no reward. Then, the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) informed him about the rule governing the acceptance of deeds by Allah: Allah does not accept any deeds unless they are purely devoted to Allah, without associating others with Him, and for His sake, Exalted be He.
Lessons from the hadith
- Allah does not accept deeds unless they are purely done for Allah's sake and in compliance with the guidance of His Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him).
- One aspect of a good answer by a Mufti is that his Fatwa should fulfill the questioner's need and more.
- An emphasis can be placed on an important matter by repeating the question.
- A true fighter of Jihad is one who strives to make the word of Allah supreme, seeking reward and recompense in the Hereafter with sincere intention; his Jihad should not be for the sake of worldly life.
References (original Arabic)
سنن النسائي (6/ 25) (3140)، الترغيب والترهيب (2/194)، جامع العلوم والحكم (1/75)، نيل الأوطار (7/245)، ذخيرة العقبى في شرح المجتبى (26/205).