Importance of Intention: A Lesson from a Unique Story

Written by: Fadhilat al-Sheikh Maulana Muhammad Zafar Iqbal al-Hamad (Hafizahullah)

Importance of Intention:​

Hazrat Umar bin Khattab (may Allah be pleased with him) was sitting on the pulpit and said: I heard the Prophet (peace be upon him) say,

"The validity of actions depends on intentions, and every person will get what they intended. Therefore, if someone's migration is for worldly gains or to marry a woman, then their migration will be considered for what they intended."

[Sahih Bukhari: 1, 53, 2392, 3685, 4783, 6311, 6553]

Key Lesson:​

This hadith emphasizes that the value and reward of actions are based on the intention behind them. If the intention is worldly, no reward is granted. However, if an action is intended for religious purposes, it will be rewarded accordingly.

Background of the Story:​

The context of this hadith, as mentioned in all authentic books of Hadith, is that a man proposed to a woman named Umme Qais. She placed a condition that he must migrate to her if he wished to marry her. Consequently, the man migrated and then married her. The companions (may Allah be pleased with them) would refer to this man as "Muhajir Umme Qais" (the one who migrated for Umme Qais).

[Al-Taleeq Al-Sabeeh, Volume 1, Page 57]

Clarification:​

This hadith highlights the significance of intention, but it does not imply that bad deeds can become good through good intentions. Instead, it means that permissible actions can become good with good intentions and bad with bad intentions.