Muslims do many good things. But often the purpose of the deeds we do is to eliminate the reward from Allah. Therefore, the purpose of our deeds should be reward from Allah and His pleasure. Today we are discussing 10 hadiths about the importance of ikhlas and niyyah in islam.
HADITH 01
وعن أمير المؤمِنين أبي حَفْصٍ عمرَ بنِ الخطابِ بنِ نُفَيْلِ بنِ عبدِ العُزّى بن رياحِ بنِ عبدِ اللهِ بن قُرْطِ بن رَزاحِ بنِ عدِي بنِ كعب بنِ لُؤَيِّ بنِ غالبٍ القُرشِيِّ العَدويِّ - رضي الله عنه - قالَ: سَمِعتُ رَسُولَ اللهِ - صلى الله عليه وسلم - يقُولُ: «إنّمَا الأَعْمَالُ بالنِّيّاتِ، وَإِنَّمَا لِكُلِّ امرِىءٍ مَا نَوَى، فَمَنْ كَانَتْ هجرته إلى الله ورسوله، فهجرته إلى الله ورسوله، ومن كانت هِجْرَتُهُ لِدُنْيَا يُصيبُهَا، أَوْ امْرَأَةٍ يَنْكَحُهَا، فَهِجْرَتُهُ إِلى مَا هَاجَرَ إِلَيْه». مُتَّفَقٌ عَلَى صِحَّتِهِ. رَوَاهُ إمَامَا الْمُحَدّثِينَ، أبُو عَبْدِ الله مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ إسْمَاعيلَ بْن إبراهِيمَ بْن المُغيرَةِ بنِ بَرْدِزْبهْ الجُعْفِيُّ البُخَارِيُّ، وَأَبُو الحُسَيْنِ مُسْلمُ بْنُ الحَجَّاجِ بْنِ مُسْلمٍ الْقُشَيريُّ النَّيْسَابُورِيُّ رضي اللهُ عنهما فِي صحيحيهما اللَّذَيْنِ هما أَصَحُّ الكُتبِ المصنفةِ.
MEANING
Narrated 'Umar bin Al-Khattab ( May Allah be pleased with him), reported: Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said, "The deeds are considered by the intentions, and a person will get the reward according to his intention. So whoever emigrated for Allah and His Messenger, his emigration will be for Allah and His Messenger; and whoever emigrated for worldly benefits or for a woman to marry, his emigration would be for what he emigrated for". [Al-Bukhari and Muslim].
Commentary
According to some Ahadith , the reason for this Hadith is that a person sent a proposal of marriage to a woman named Umm Qais, which she turned down saying that he should have to emigrate to Al-Madinah for it. Accordingly, he did it for this specific purpose, and the two were married there. On account of this event, the man came to be known among he Companions as Muhajir Umm Qais. On the basis of this Hadith, 'Ulama' are of the unanimous opinion that the real basis of one's actions is Niyyah (intention ) and everyone will be requited according to his Niyyah. It is true that Niyyah is founded in one's heart, that is to say, one has first to make up one's mind for what he intends to do and he should not express it verbally. In fact, the latter is a Bid`ah (innovation in religion) because no proof of it is found in Shariah. The point which becomes evident from this Hadith is that Ikhlas (sincerity) is a must for every action. In other words, in every righteous deed, one should seek only the Pleasure of Allah; otherwise, it will not be accepted by Allah.
HADITH 02
وَعَنْ أُمِّ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ أُمِّ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ عَائشَةَ رَضيَ الله عنها قالت: قالَ رسول الله صَلّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وسَلَّم: "يَغْزُو جَيْشٌ الْكَعْبَةَ فَإِذَا كَانُوا ببيْداءَ مِنَ الأَرْضِ يُخْسَفُ بأَوَّلِهِم وَآخِرِهِمْ". قَالَتْ: قُلْتُ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ، كَيْفَ يُخْسَفُ بَأَوَّلِهِم وَآخِرِهِمْ وَفِيهِمْ أَسْوَاقُهُمْ وَمَنْ لَيْسَ مِنهُمْ،؟ قَالَ: " يُخْسَفُ بِأَوَّلِهِم وَآخِرِهِمْ، ثُمَّ يُبْعَثُون عَلَى نِيَّاتِهِمْ" مُتَّفَقٌ عَلَيْهِ: هذَا لَفْظُ الْبُخَارِيِّ.
MEANING
Narrated 'A`ishah (May Allah be pleased with her) reported: Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said, "An army will raid the Ka`bah and when it reaches a desert land, all of them will be swallowed up by the earth.'' She asked; "O Messenger of Allah! Why all of them?'' He answered , "All of them will be swallowed by the earth but they will be raised for Judgement according to their intentions.'' [Al-Bukhari and Muslim].
Commentary
Everyone will be rewarded or punished according to his aim and intention. This Hadith also proves that the company of depraved persons is extremely dangerous. Whose army would it be, which has been referred to in the Hadith, and when will it invade Ka`bah, is a matter known to Allah Alone. Such prophecies are a part of the Unseen world. Since they come in the category of the miracles of the Prophet (PBUH), it is necessary to believe in their veracity and occurrence. Believing in such prophesies is also essential because they were revealed by Allah).
HADITH 03
وعَنْ عَائِشَة رَضِيَ اللهُ عنْهَا قَالَت قالَ النَّبِيُّ صَلّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وسَلَّم: " لا هِجْرَةَ بَعْدَ الْفَتْحِ، وَلكنْ جِهَادٌ وَنِيَّةٌ، وَإِذَا اسْتُنْفرِتُمْ فانْفِرُوا" مُتَّفَقٌ عَلَيْهِ. وَمَعْنَاهُ: لا هِجْرَةَ مِنْ مَكَّةَ لأَنَّهَا صَارَتْ دَارَ إِسْلامٍ.
MEANING
A`ishah (May Allah be pleased with her) narrated that the Prophet (PBUH ) said , "There is no emigration after the conquest (of Makkah) but only Jihad [(striving and fighting in the cause of Allah) will continue] and good intention. So if you are summoned to fight, go forth.'' [Al-Bukhari and Muslim].
HADITH 4
وعَنْ أبي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ جابِرِ بْنِ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ الأَنْصَارِيِّ رضِيَ اللهُ عنْهُمَا قَالَ: كُنَّا مَع النَّبِيِّ صَلّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وسَلَّم في غَزَاة فَقَالَ: "إِنَّ بِالْمَدِينَةِ لَرِجَالاً مَا سِرْتُمْ مَسِيراً، وَلاَ قَطَعْتُمْ وَادِياً إِلاَّ كانُوا مَعكُم حَبَسَهُمُ الْمَرَضُ" وَفِي روايَةِ: "إِلاَّ شَركُوكُمْ في الأَجْر" رَواهُ مُسْلِمٌ. ورواهُ البُخَارِيُّ عَنْ أَنَسٍ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ قَالَ: رَجَعْنَا مِنْ غَزْوَةِ تَبُوكَ مَعَ النَّبِيِّ صَلّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وسَلَّم فَقَالَ: "إِنَّ أَقْوَامَاً خلْفَنَا بالمدِينةِ مَا سَلَكْنَا شِعْباً وَلاَ وَادِياً إِلاَّ وَهُمْ مَعَنَا، حَبَسَهُمْ الْعُذْرُ"
MEANING
.Jabir bin Abdullah Al-Ansari (May Allah be pleasedwith them) reported: We accompanied the Prophet (PBUH) in an expedition when he said, "There are some men in Al-Madinah who are with you wherever you march and whichever valley you cross. They have not joined you in person because of their illness.'' In another version he said: "They share the reward with you.'' [Muslim]. It is narrated by Bukhari from Anas bin Malik (May Allah be pleased with him): We were coming back from the battle of Tabuk with the Prophet (PBUH) when he remarked, "There are people whom we left behind in Al- Madinah who accompanied us in spirit in every pass and valley we crossed . They remained behind for a valid excuse.''
HADITH 5
وَعَنْ أبي يَزِيدَ مَعْنِ بْن يَزِيدَ بْنِ الأَخْنسِ رضي الله عَنْهمْ، وَهُوَ وَأَبُوهُ وَجَدّهُ صَحَابِيُّونَ، قَال: كَانَ أبي يَزِيدُ أَخْرَجَ دَنَانِيرَ يَتصَدَّقُ بِهَا فَوَضَعَهَا عِنْدَ رَجُلٍ في الْمَسْجِدِ فَجِئْتُ فَأَخَذْتُهَا فَأَتيْتُهُ بِهَا. فَقَالَ: وَاللَّهِ مَا إِيَّاكَ أَرَدْتُ، فَخَاصمْتُهُ إِلَى رسولِ اللَّهِ صَلّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وسَلَّم فَقَالَ: "لَكَ مَا نويْتَ يَا يَزِيدُ، وَلَكَ مَا أَخذْتَ يَا مَعْنُ "رواهُ البخاريُّ.
MEANING
Ma`n bin Yazid bin Akhnas (May Allah be pleased with them) (he, his father and his grandfather, all were Companions) reported: My father set aside some dinars for charity and gave them to a man in the mosque. I went to that man and took back those dinars. He said: "I had not intended you to be given.'' So we went to Messenger of Allah (PBUH), and put forth the matter before him. He said to my father, "Yazid, you have been rewarded for what you intended.'' And he said to me, "Ma`n , you are entitled to what you have taken.'' [Al-Bukhari].
Commentary
1. This Hadith leads us to the conclusion that if Sadaqah (charity), goes to a needy son of a Muslim, there is no need to take it back from him for the reason that the father had intended to give it to a deserving person. The former gets the reward for it on account of his Niyyah (intention). This however, will be reckoned as Nafli Sadaqah (voluntary charity) because the obligatory Zakat (Sadaqah) cannot be given to the donor's own dependents. 2. It is permissible in Shari`ah to make someone a Wakil (attorney or agent) for Sadaqah. 3. It does not amount to disobedience on the part of a son to take his father to a competent authority or scholar to know the legal position on any issue, in the same way, as mutual discussion and debate on matters of Shari`ah does not amount to insolence. (Fath Al-Bari, chapter on Zakat).
HADITH 6
وَعَنْ أبي إِسْحَاقَ سعْدِ بْنِ أبي وَقَّاصٍ مَالك بنِ أُهَيْبِ بْنِ عَبْدِ مَنَافِ بْنِ زُهرةَ بْنِ كِلابِ بْنِ مُرَّةَ بْنِ كعْبِ بنِ لُؤىٍّ الْقُرشِيِّ الزُّهَرِيِّ رضِي اللَّهُ عَنْهُ، أَحدِ الْعَشرة الْمَشْهودِ لَهمْ بِالْجَنَّة، رضِي اللَّهُ عَنْهُم قَالَ: "جَاءَنِي رسولُ اللهِ صَلّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وسَلَّم يَعُودُنِي عَامَ حَجَّة الْوَداعِ مِنْ وَجعٍ اشْتدَّ بِي فَقُلْتتُ: يَا رسُول اللَّهِ إِنِّي قَدْ بلغَ بِي مِن الْوجعِ مَا تَرى، وَأَنَا ذُو مَالٍ وَلاَ يَرثُنِي إِلاَّ ابْنةٌ لِي، أَفأَتصَدَّق بثُلُثَىْ مالِي؟ قَالَ: لا، قُلْتُ: فالشَّطُر يَارسوُلَ اللهِ؟ فقالَ: لا، قُلْتُ فالثُّلُثُ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّه؟ قَالَ: الثُّلثُ والثُّلُثُ كثِيرٌ -أَوْ كَبِيرٌ - إِنَّكَ إِنْ تَذرَ وَرثتك أغنِياءَ خَيْرٌ مِن أَنْ تذرهُمْ عالَةً يَتكفَّفُونَ النَّاس، وَإِنَّكَ لَنْ تُنفِق نَفَقةً تبْتغِي بِهَا وجْهَ اللهِ إِلاَّ أُجرْتَ عَلَيْهَا حَتَّى ما تَجْعلُ فِيِّ امْرَأَتكَ قَال: فَقلْت: يَا رَسُولَ اللهِ أُخَلَّفُ بَعْدَ أَصْحَابِي؟ قَال: إِنَّك لَنْ تُخَلَّفَ فتعْمَل عَمَلاً تَبْتغِي بِهِ وَجْهَ اللهِ إلاَّ ازْددْتَ بِهِ دَرجةً ورِفعةً ولعَلَّك أَنْ تُخلَّف حَتَى ينْتفعَ بكَ أَقَوامٌ وَيُضَرَّ بِكَ آخرُونَ. اللَّهُمَّ أَمْضِ لأِصْحابي هجْرتَهُم، وَلاَ ترُدَّهُمْ عَلَى أَعْقَابِهم، لَكن الْبائسُ سعْدُ بْنُ خوْلَةَ"يرْثى لَهُ رسولُ اللهِ صَلّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وسَلَّم"أَن مَاتَ بمكَّةَ" متفقٌ عليهِ.
MEANING
Abu Ishaq Sa`d bin Abu Waqqas (May Allah be pleased with him) (one of the ten who had been given the glad tidings of entry into Jannah) narrated: Messenger of Allah (PBUH) visited me in my illness which became severe in the year of Hajjat-ul-Wada` (Farewell Pilgrimage). I said , "O Messenger of Allah, you can see the pain which I am suffering and I am a man of means and there is none to inherit from me except one daughter. Should I give two-thirds of my property in charity?'' He (PBUH) said, "No". I asked him, "Then half?'' He said, "No". Then I asked, "Can I give away one-third". He said, "Give away one-third, and that is still too much. It is better to leave your heirs well-off than to leave them poor, begging people. You will not expend a thing in charity for the sake of Allah, but you will be rewarded for it; even the morsel of food which you feed your wife''. I said, "O Messenger of Allah, would I survive my companions?'' He said, "If you survive others and accomplish a thing for the sake of Allah, you would gain higher ranking and standing. You will survive them ... your survival will be beneficial to people (the Muslim) and harmful to others (the enemies of Islam). You will survive others till the people will derive benefit from you, and others would be harmed by you.'' Messenger of Allah (PBUH) further said, "O Allah, complete for my Companions their emigration and do not cause them to retract.'' Sa`d bin Khaulah was unfortunate. Messenger of Allah (PBUH) lamented his death as he died in Makkah. [Al-Bukhari and Muslim].
Commentary
In spite of all their love for it, the Companions of the Prophet (PBUH) did not like to die in a city from which they emigrated for the sake of Allah. For this reason Sa`d (May Allah be pleased with him) was afraid of dying in Makkah. The Prophet (PBUH ) prayed for the accomplishment of Sa`d's emigration and expressed regret over the misfortune of Sa`d bin Khaulah. The latter died in Makkah. Conclusion: 1. The Hadith lays down that in the course of a disease which seems to prove fatal, one cannot give more than one- third of the property in charity. 2. It is also emphasized that one gets reward even for what he spends on his wife and children. 3 . One can report to others his ailment or to seek treatment and ask them to supplicate from him. 4. In the matter of Sadaqah (charity), which one gives to seek the Pleasure of Allah, his closest relatives. should always have priority and preference over others.
HADITH 7
وَعَنْ أبي هُريْرة عَبْدِ الرَّحْمن بْنِ صخْرٍ رضي الله عَنْهُ قَالَ: قالَ رَسُولُ اللهِ صَلّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وسَلَّم: "إِنَّ الله لا يَنْظُرُ إِلى أَجْسامِكْم، وَلا إِلى صُوَرِكُمْ، وَلَكِنْ يَنْظُرُ إِلَى قُلُوبِكُمْ "رواه مسلم.
MEANING
Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) narrated: Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said , "Allah does not look at your figures, nor at your attire but He looks at your hearts and accomplishments". [Muslim].
Commentary
This Hadith highlights the importance of sincerity and good intention. It is, therefore, essential that every noble action should be based on these two virtues; and heart should be free from all such things that destroy noble deeds. Hypocrisy, ostentation, greed for wealth, riches and other wordly things fall in the category of such evils. Since the true condition of heart is known to Allah alone, the true position of one's actions will be known on the Day of Resurrection when one will be requited for them by Alah. In this world, one will be treated according to his apparent condition while his insight will be left to Allah.
HADITH 8
وعن أبي موسى عبدِ اللهِ بنِ قيسٍ الأشعريِّ - رضي الله عنه - قَالَ: سُئِلَ رسولُ الله - صلى الله عليه وسلم - عَنِ الرَّجُلِ يُقاتلُ شَجَاعَةً، ويُقَاتِلُ حَمِيَّةً، ويُقَاتِلُ رِيَاءً، أَيُّ ذلِكَ في سبيلِ الله؟ فقال رَسُول الله - صلى الله عليه وسلم: «مَنْ قَاتَلَ لِتَكونَ كَلِمَةُ اللهِ هي العُلْيَا، فَهوَ في سبيلِ اللهِ». مُتَّفَقٌ عَلَيهِ.
MEANING
Abu Musa Al-Ash`ari ( May Allah be pleased with him) reported that Messenger of Allah (PBUH) was asked about who fights in the battlefield out of valour, or out of zeal, or out of hypocrisy, which of this is considered as fighting in the cause of Allah? He said: "He who fights in order that the Word of Allah remains the supreme, is considered as fighting in the cause of Allah". [Al-Bukhari and Muslim].
Commentary
Since one's action will be evaluated in terms of intention, so he alone would be a Mujahid (warrior in the cause of Deen) who fights to glorify the Name of Allah.
HADITH 9
وعن أبي بَكْرَة نُفيْعِ بْنِ الْحارِثِ الثَّقفِي رَضِي الله عنه أَنَّ النَّبِيَّ صَلّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وسَلَّم قَالَ: "إِذَا الْتقَى الْمُسْلِمَانِ بسيْفيْهِمَا فالْقاتِلُ والمقْتُولُ في النَّارِ"قُلْتُ: يَا رَسُول اللَّهِ، هَذَا الْقَاتِلُ فمَا بَالُ الْمقْتُولِ؟ قَال: " إِنَّهُ كَانَ حَرِيصاً عَلَى قَتْلِ صَاحِبِهِ" متفقٌ عليه.
MEANING
Abu Bakrah Ath-Thaqafi (May Allah be pleased with him) reported : The Prophet (PBUH) said : "When two Muslims are engaged in a combat against each other with their sword's and one is killed, both are doomed to Hell". I said, "O Messenger of Allah! As to the one who kills, it is understandable, but why the slain one?" He (PBUH) replied: "He was eager to kill his opponent". [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]
Commentary
This Hadith leads to the conclusion that one would be punished for such sinful intention for which he has made a firm determination, and for the commitment of which he has adopted necessary measures, even if he does not succeed in committing it because of certain obstruction. Thus determination is different from a suggestion of the devil. The latter is excusable while one is accountable for his determination. However, what is mentioned in the Hadith will happen when Muslims fight among themselves for worldly honour and prejudices, and no religious issue would be the cause of their conflict, because in the latter case, it is possible that both might be depending on their own Ijtihad (exercise of opinion) for which they may be excused.
HADITH 10
وَعَنْ أبي هُرَيْرَةَ رَضِيَ الله عنه قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ الله صَلّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وسَلَّم: "صَلاَةُ الرَّجُلِ في جماعةٍ تزيدُ عَلَى صَلاَتِهِ في سُوقِهِ وَبَيْتِهِ بضْعاً وعِشْرينَ دَرَجَةً، وذلِكَ أَنَّ أَحَدَهُمْ إِذا تَوَضَّأَ فَأَحْسَنَ الْوُضُوءَ، ثُمَّ أَتَى الْمَسْجِد لا يَنْهَزُهُ إِلاَّ الصَّلاَةُ، لا يُرِيدُ إِلاَّ الصَّلاَةَ، لَمْ يَخطُ خُطوَةً إِلاَّ رُفِعَ لَهُ بِها دَرجةٌ، وَحُطَّ عَنْهُ بِهَا خَطيئَةٌ حتَّى يَدْخلَ الْمَسْجِدَ، فَإِذَا دَخَلَ الْمَسْجِدَ كانَ في الصَّلاَةِ مَا كَانَتِ الصَّلاةُ هِيَ تحبِسُهُ، وَالْمَلائِكَةُ يُصَلُّونَ عَلَى أَحَدكُمْ مَا دَامَ في مَجْلِسهِ الَّذي صَلَّى فِيهِ، يقُولُونَ: اللَّهُمَّ ارْحَمْهُ، اللَّهُمَّ اغْفِرْ لَهُ، اللَّهُمَّ تُبْ عَلَيْهِ، مالَمْ يُؤْذِ فِيهِ، مَا لَمْ يُحْدِثْ فِيهِ "متفقٌ عليه، وهَذَا لَفْظُ مُسْلمٍ. وَقَوْلُهُ صَلّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وسَلَّم: "ينْهَزُهُ"هُوَ بِفتحِ الْياءِ وَالْهاءِ وَبالزَّاي: أَي يُخْرِجُهُ ويُنْهِضُهُ.
MEANING
Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported that: The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said: "The reward for Salat performed by a person in congregation is more than 20 times greater than that of the Salat performed in one's house or shop. When one performs Wudu' perfectly and then proceeds to the mosque with the sole intention of performing Salat, then for every step he takes towards the mosque, he is upgraded one degree in reward and one of his sins is eliminated until he enters the mosque, and when he enters the mosque, he is considered as performing Salat as long as it is the Salat which prevents him (from leaving the mosque); and the angels keep on supplicating Allah for him as long as he remains in his place of prayer. They say: 'O Allah! have mercy on him; O Allah! forgive his sins; O Allah! accept his repentance'. This will carry on as long as he does not pass wind". [Al-Bukhari and Muslim].
Commentary
This Hadith shows that although it is permissible to perform Salat individually in market places and houses, but its collective performance in the mosque is 25, 26, or 27 times more meritorious, as mentioned in other Ahadith.
Today we discussed 10 hadiths about the importance of ikhlas and niyyah in islam.