📖 Narrated by Umar ibn al-Khattab (RA):
> “I heard the Messenger of Allah ﷺ say: ‘Actions are only by intentions, and every person will have only what they intended. So whoever emigrated for Allah and His Messenger, his emigration is for Allah and His Messenger; and whoever emigrated for worldly gain or for a woman to marry, his emigration is for that for which he emigrated.’”
(Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith 1; Sahih Muslim, Hadith 1907)
1. The Importance of Intention in Islam
Islam teaches that the value of an act is not only in the act itself, but in the intention behind it.
Two people may perform the same act—such as giving charity—but one may gain reward while the other gains nothing, depending on sincerity.
Intention distinguishes between worship and habit. For example:
Bathing for cleanliness is habit.
Bathing with the intention of purification for prayer is worship.
👉 Lesson: Every believer must train their heart to purify intentions before action.
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2. The Role of Niyyah (Intention) in Worship
The Prophet ﷺ said in another narration: “Verily Allah does not look at your bodies or your wealth, but He looks at your hearts and your deeds.” (Muslim)
Prayer without intention is invalid.
Fasting is not just abstaining from food but requires the niyyah to fast for Allah.
Zakat without intention becomes mere payment, not worship.
Thus, niyyah is what transforms daily actions into acts of worship. Even sleeping, eating, or working—if done with the intention of seeking Allah’s pleasure—becomes rewarded.
👉 Lesson: Islam spiritualizes ordinary life by attaching intention to every act.
3. The Example of Hijrah (Migration)
The Prophet ﷺ gave a practical example:
Sincere Hijrah: If a person left Makkah for the sake of Allah and His Messenger, his migration is rewarded as an act of worship.
Worldly Hijrah: If another left to gain wealth or to marry a woman, his reward is only what he sought—no spiritual value.
This example shows that the same outward action (migration) can have very different values in Allah’s sight depending on intention.
👉 Lesson: The heart determines the reward. Outward deeds may look similar, but Allah judges the inner reality.
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4. Sincerity (Ikhlas) as the Core of Faith
Ikhlas means doing something solely for Allah, without showing off or seeking recognition.
The Quran emphasizes:
> “And they were not commanded except to worship Allah, making the religion sincerely for Him alone.” (Quran 98:5)
Hidden intentions such as pride, seeking praise, or worldly benefit can corrupt good deeds.
The scholars warn against riya’ (showing off), which the Prophet ﷺ called a “hidden shirk” (Ahmad). It is when a person does good for the sake of people’s approval rather than Allah.
👉 Lesson: A small deed done sincerely is greater than a large deed done for show.
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5. The Transformative Power of Intention
Intention has the power to:
1. Elevate simple acts: Eating with the intention of gaining strength to worship becomes ibadah.
2. Change the ruling of acts: Killing in battle may be martyrdom if for Allah, but a sin if for pride.
3. Multiply reward: Sleeping with the intention of resting to wake up for tahajjud may be rewarded.
Imam Ibn al-Qayyim said: “A habit becomes worship with intention, and worship becomes habit without intention.”
👉 Lesson: Intention is the spiritual lens through which every action is judged.
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6. Practical Steps to Purify Intention
1. Remind yourself before action: Ask, “Why am I doing this?”
2. Renew intention during action: If your heart slips, re-correct it.
3. Check intention after action: Was it truly for Allah, or for showing off?
4. Hide good deeds: Keeping deeds secret helps sincerity.
👉 Lesson: The believer must constantly monitor the heart, as intentions can change.
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7. Application in Daily Life
Studying: If done to gain knowledge for worldly success, it is neutral. If done to benefit people and earn Allah’s pleasure, it becomes worship.
Work: If you work just for money, it is a job. If you work to support your family and give charity, it is ibadah.
Marriage: If you marry just for beauty or status, it is worldly. If you marry to follow the Sunnah and build a righteous family, it is worship.
👉 Lesson: The believer turns every act of life into worship by purifying intention.
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8. The Greatness of This Hadith
Imam al-Shafi’i said: “This hadith covers seventy percent of knowledge of fiqh.”
Imam Ahmad said: “The foundations of Islam are based on three hadith: actions by intentions, halal is clear and haram is clear, and whoever innovates in this matter.”
Imam al-Bukhari placed it as the first hadith in his Sahih to remind students to purify their intention when studying knowledge.
👉 Lesson: This hadith is a universal principle in all acts of worship and daily life.
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CONCLUSION:
This hadith teaches that the heart is the compass of action. Deeds are judged not by how they appear to people, but by the intention behind them. Sincerity transforms habits into worship, while corruption of intention can nullify even great deeds. A Muslim must therefore live consciously, attaching every action to Allah’s pleasure.
The words of the Prophet ﷺ are timeless: “Actions are only by intentions, and every person will have only what they intended.” It is a call to live every moment with awareness, sincerity, and devotion to Allah.
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