Sahih al-Bukhari 1
Revelation
Chapter 1: How the Divine Revelation started being revealed
to Allah's Messenger
Vol. 1, Book 1, Hadith 1: Narrated 'Umar bin Al-Khattab:
I heard Allah's Messenger (‫ )ﷺ‬saying, "The reward of deeds depends
upon the intentions and every person will get the reward according to
what he has intended. So whoever emigrated for worldly benefits or
for a woman to marry, his emigration was for what he emigrated for."
https://sunnah.com/bukhari:1
Explanation
The hadith is a famous saying of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon
him) and is often referred to as the Hadith of Intentions or Hadith
of Niyyah (intention). This hadith conveys a fundamental principle in
Islamic ethics and jurisprudence, emphasizing the significance of
one's intentions in determining the moral and spiritual value of their
actions.
Here's an explanation of the hadith:
1. Importance of Intentions: The hadith underscores the idea that the
value and reward of one's deeds are contingent upon their intentions.
In other words, what truly matters to Allah is not just the outward
action but the sincerity and purity of one's intentions behind those
actions.
2. Customized Rewards: It also emphasizes that each person will be
rewarded according to their intentions. This means that two people
performing the same action may receive different rewards from Allah
if their intentions differ. For instance, two individuals praying may
have different intentions; one may be praying to seek Allah's pleasure
and guidance, while the other may be praying to show off or seek
praise from others. As a result, their rewards will differ.
3. Emigration (Hijrah) Example: The hadith provides an example to
illustrate this principle. It mentions the case of someone who
emigrates (makes the hijrah) for a particular reason. If a person's
migration is solely for the sake of Allah, for the purpose of
practicing their faith and escaping persecution or injustice, their
intention is sincere, and they will be rewarded for this act of
devotion.
However, if someone emigrates for worldly benefits or to marry a
person, their intention is not primarily for the sake of Allah and
His religion. Therefore, their emigration is considered to be for the
worldly benefits or the marriage itself, and they will not receive
Sahih al-Bukhari 1
the same spiritual reward as someone whose intention was purely for
the sake of Allah.
Conclusion: In essence, this hadith teaches believers to constantly
purify their intentions, ensuring that they are doing good deeds
solely for the pleasure of Allah and the betterment of their faith.
It encourages self-reflection and a sincere devotion to God in all
actions. This concept of sincerity and purity of intention is
fundamental in Islamic ethics and shapes the way Muslims approach
their acts of worship and daily lives.
Sahih al-Bukhari 1