I heard Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) saying, "The reward of deeds depends upon the intentions and every person will get the reward according to what he has intended. So whoever emigrated for worldly benefits or for a woman to marry, his emigration was for what he emigrated for."
Hadith of Intentions - Sahih al-Bukhari 1
This narration from the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) establishes the fundamental Islamic principle that all actions are judged by their underlying intentions.
Scholarly Commentary
The great scholar Imam al-Nawawi (may Allah have mercy on him) states that this hadith is one of the foundational texts of Islam, encompassing a third of religious knowledge. It teaches that the spiritual value of any deed depends entirely on the sincerity of intention behind it.
Ibn Rajab al-Hanbali explains that intention (niyyah) is the spirit of action and its foundation. An action without proper intention is like a body without a soul - it may appear complete outwardly but lacks spiritual life.
The example of emigration (hijrah) illustrates this principle perfectly. The physical act of moving from one place to another is the same, but its spiritual worth varies dramatically based on whether it was for Allah's pleasure or worldly motives.
Practical Implications
This teaching reminds believers to constantly purify their intentions, ensuring all actions - whether worship or daily affairs - are performed seeking Allah's pleasure alone.
Scholars emphasize that renewing intention before acts of worship is essential, as intentions can change during the course of an action. The righteous predecessors would frequently examine and rectify their intentions.