Manumission of Slaves - Sahih al-Bukhari 2529

The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "The (reward of) deeds depend on intentions, and every person will get the reward according to what he intends. So, whoever migrated for Allah and His Apostle, then his migration will be for Allah and His Apostle, and whoever migrated for worldly benefits or for marrying a woman, then his migration will be for what he migrated for."

Commentary on the Hadith of Intentions

This foundational hadith establishes that the spiritual value and reward of all actions are determined by the intention (niyyah) behind them. The migration (hijrah) serves as an example - the same physical act yields different spiritual outcomes based on the purity of intention.

Scholars explain that intention distinguishes between acts of worship and mere habits, and between different categories of worship themselves. An action performed for Allah's pleasure becomes an act of worship, while the same action performed for worldly gain remains a mundane transaction.

The hadith teaches that Allah judges not merely the outward form of deeds but the inner state of the heart. This principle applies to all acts of obedience, including manumission of slaves - freeing a slave for Allah's pleasure brings immense reward, while doing so for show or worldly recognition diminishes the spiritual benefit.

Scholarly Insights

Imam al-Nawawi stated this hadith encompasses one-third of Islam, as human actions involve the heart, tongue, and limbs, and intention governs the heart's actions.

Ibn Rajab al-Hanbali explained that intention makes small deeds great and can transform permissible acts into acts of worship when accompanied by proper intention to seek Allah's pleasure.

The distinction in migration outcomes demonstrates that even major acts of devotion require sincere intention to attain their full spiritual reward in the sight of Allah.