Abu Musa said “A beduoin came to the Apostle of Allaah(ﷺ) and said “One man fights for reputation, one fights for being praised, one fights for booty and one for his place to be seen. (Which of them is in Allaah’s path?)”. The Apostle of Allaah(ﷺ) replied “The one who fights that Allaah’s word may have pre-eminence is in Allaah’s path.”
Hadith Commentary: Purification of Intentions in Jihad
This noble hadith from Sunan Abi Dawud (2517) addresses the fundamental principle of sincerity (ikhlas) in warfare, distinguishing between valid and invalid intentions for engaging in jihad.
Analysis of Worldly Motivations
The bedouin's question enumerates four corrupt intentions: fighting for reputation (sum'ah), for praise (riya'), for booty (ghanimah), and for visible status. These represent the hidden shirk (shirk al-khafi) that invalidates deeds.
Scholars explain that seeking worldly gain as the primary motive transforms jihad from worship into worldly transaction, rendering the fighter deserving of punishment rather than reward.
The Criterion of Valid Jihad
The Prophet's response establishes the sole legitimate intention: "that Allah's word may have pre-eminence" (li-takuna kalimatullahi hiya al-'ulya). This means establishing Tawhid, removing obstacles to Islam, and elevating divine truth above all human systems.
Classical commentators emphasize that this includes defending Muslim lands, protecting the vulnerable, and removing tyranny that prevents people from hearing Allah's message.
Scholarly Elaboration on Mixed Intentions
Imam Nawawi and other scholars clarify that if the primary intention is for Allah's cause, but secondary benefits like booty occur, the jihad remains valid. However, if worldly motives dominate, the action loses its spiritual reward.
The hadith serves as a timeless reminder that external actions are judged by internal states, and that jihad's essence lies in pure devotion to Allah rather than worldly objectives.