Deeds depend upon intentions
‘Umar Ibn Al-Khattab (RA) said: “I heard Allah’s Messenger (SAWS) saying:
“Deeds depend upon intentions and every person will get that which he
intended. So whoever migrates for worldly benefits or for a woman to
marry, his emigration will be for that which he migrated to.” (Narrated by
Al-Bukhari and Muslim)
Explanation
In this hadith, the Prophet () explains that behind every deed there is an
intention, either good or bad; and that each of us will be judged and
subsequently rewarded by Allah accordingly. Thus, whoever performs a
deed such as migration for some material benefit or in order to marry a
woman will be so rewarded, while whoever migrates for the sake of his
religion will also be rewarded thus.
Important Note
It should not be understood from this hadith that one may perform a
bad deed with a good intention; a bad deed is a bad deed, regardless of
the intention behind it. In Islam, the end does not justify the means.
Lessons from This Hadith
That (good) deeds are judged by intentions.
That deeds are rewarded accordingly.
The permissibility of migration for worldly reasons.
The preferability of migration for the sake of one’s religion.
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