Do it for ALLAH!

The Prophet (Saw) has said,

 'Indeed actions are according to intentions, for every person is what he has intended....' [Al Bukhatir and Muslim] 

 Many of the great Scholars of Islam have begun their magnificent books with the above mentioned hadeeth. Take for example Imaam Nawawwi (Ra)  author of Riyadhus Saliheen, the great Imaam Bukhari (Ra) and the author of Zaad Ut Talibeen, each had started their work with this saying of the Beloved Prophet (Saw). Each of them placed this as the very first hadeeth in their kitaab.

The question is why did these great Scholars do this? What is the importance of intentions? 

Imaam Shaf'ii has said that this hadeeth constitutes a third of all knowledge. 

Each and every Scholar beginning with this hadeeth have understood that intentions are the foundations of all actions. Before learning of other matters of Deen it is important for one to correct their intentions. This is why these Scholars placed this hadeeth first, to make the reader understand the importance of intentions.

Before beginning an act a person must ensure he makes a firm intention, to do a deed for Allah's sake only for actions will be judged accordingly. If their is any fault in the intention then one may not gain the full reward. So it can be said that an intention IS the foundation of all actions. 

If someone intends to do good then he will get good and if he intends bad then he will get bad (referring to deeds). The reward and punishment the will be judged according to intentions. Prophet (Saw) has said; 'People will be gathered upon their intentions.' [Ibn Majah] 

Other Scholars would make their intention of eating, drinking and sleeping for Allah too in order to get reward. Zayd As Shami (Ra) has said, 'Verily I like to make an intention for everything I do even if it is eating and drinking.' 

If we are to sleep then make an intention to sleep so we can gain strength to wake and worship Allah the next day, we will be rewarded for all the time we have slept. Similarly when we eat make an intention to eat to gain power so we are able to pray, we will be rewarded for every morsel of food which enters our mouths. SubhanAllah what as easy way to gain reward don't you think?

Ibn Al Mubarak has said, 'Maybe a small action is made great by its intention and maybe a big action is made small by its intention.' Wallahu'A3lam.

So dear Muslims and Muslimahs correct your intentions today. Islam teaches us to perform good deeds and stay away from bad. To ensure we do this we must make an intention before all our actions. Do it to please Allah the Almighty of only. Make your worship solely for Allah and not to show any human, as this could lead to shirk. 

Think before you begin an action:.  Are my intentions correct? Am I doing it solely for Allah? When I look deep deep down inside do I have the correct firm Niyyah??

May Allah help us all correct our intentions. Ameen.