"Actions are but by intentions, and each man will have but that which he intended. Whoever emigrated for the sake of Allah and His Messenger, his emigration was for the sake of Allah and His Messenger, and whoever emigrated for the sake of some worldly gain or to marry some woman, his emigration was for that for which he emigrated."
The Book of Divorce - Sunan an-Nasa'i
Hadith Reference: Sunan an-Nasa'i 3437
Hadith Text
"Actions are but by intentions, and each man will have but that which he intended. Whoever emigrated for the sake of Allah and His Messenger, his emigration was for the sake of Allah and His Messenger, and whoever emigrated for the sake of some worldly gain or to marry some woman, his emigration was for that for which he emigrated."
Commentary on the Hadith
This foundational hadith establishes that the validity and reward of all deeds depend upon the sincerity of intention (niyyah). The scholars explain that intention is the spiritual essence that distinguishes mere physical actions into acts of worship.
The example of emigration (hijrah) illustrates how identical outward actions yield different spiritual results based on intention. One who emigrates for Allah's pleasure receives the full reward of hijrah, while one who emigrates for worldly purposes receives only what he sought.
Imam al-Nawawi states this hadith encompasses one-third of Islam, as it deals with the relationship between the servant and his Lord. The purity of intention transforms mundane actions into worship when directed toward Allah's pleasure.
Legal and Spiritual Implications
This principle applies to all acts of worship: prayer, fasting, charity, and divorce. A divorce pronounced without proper intention may not be legally binding according to many scholars.
The hadith teaches that Muslims must constantly examine their intentions, ensuring all actions - even permissible worldly matters - can become acts of worship through sincere intention to seek Allah's pleasure.