Bayhaqi 18549 — The intention with which one fights

Sulayman bin Yasar (may Allah have mercy on him) said: The people dispersed from around Sayyiduna Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him), and Nabil al-Shami said to Sayyiduna Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him): Narrate to me a hadith that you heard from the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him). He said: I heard the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him); he (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "The first of people concerning whom judgement will be passed on the Day of Resurrection are three persons: a martyr; he will be brought before Allah, the Lord of Might, and Allah will make him recognise His blessings, and he will recognise them. Allah Almighty will ask: 'What did you do with them?' The servant will say: 'O Allah, I fought in Your way until I attained martyrdom.' Allah Almighty will say: 'You have lied; your intention was that it be said that so-and-so is brave, and you were called brave in the world.' Then Allah, the Lord of Might, will command the angels, and he will be dragged on his face and thrown into Hell. The second person will be a scholar of religion and a reciter of the Qur'an; he will be brought before Allah, and Allah will make him recognise His blessings, and he will recognise all the blessings. Allah Almighty will ask: 'What did you do with them?' He will say: 'I acquired knowledge, recited the Qur'an and taught it for Your sake.' Allah Almighty will say: 'You are lying; your intention was that you be called a scholar of religion and a reciter of the Qur'an, and that was said of you in the world.' Then Allah, the Lord of Might, will give a command concerning him too, and he too will be dragged on his face and thrown into Hell. And the third is a person to whom Allah gave all kinds of wealth; he will be brought before Allah, and Allah, the Lord of Might, will make him recognise His blessings, and he will recognise them. Allah Almighty will ask: 'What did you do with them?' He will say: 'I did not leave any place where You love that wealth be spent except that I spent in it for Your pleasure.' Allah, the Lord of Might, will say: 'You have lied; your only intention was that you be called generous, and you were called generous in the world.' Allah, the Lord of Might, will give a command concerning him too, and then he too will be dragged on his face and thrown into Hell."