Praise be to Allah,
1.Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) narrated: Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said,
“Allah does not look at your figures, nor at your attire but He looks at your hearts and accomplishments”.
[Muslim].
Commentary:
This Hadith shows the importance of sincerity and good intention. It is, therefore, essential that every noble action should be based on these two virtues; and the heart should be free from all such things that destroy noble deeds. Hypocrisy, ostentation, greed for wealth, riches, and otherworldly things fall in the category of such evils. Since the true condition of the heart is known to Allah alone, the true position of one’s actions will be known on the Day of Resurrection when one will be requited for them by Allah. In this world, one will be treated according to his apparent condition while his insight will be left to Allah.
2. Abu Bakrah Ath-Thaqafi (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (PBUH) said:
“When two Muslims are engaged in a combat against each other with their swords and one is killed, both are doomed to Hell”. I said, “O Messenger of Allah! As to the one who kills, it is understandable, but why the slain one?” He (PBUH) replied: “He was eager to kill his opponent”.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].
Commentary:
This Hadith leads to the conclusion that one would be punished for such sinful intention for which he has made a firm determination, and for the commitment of which he has adopted necessary measures, even if he does not succeed in committing it because of certain obstruction. Thus determination is different from a suggestion of the devil. The latter is excusable while one is accountable for his determination. However, what is mentioned in the Hadith will happen when Muslims fight among themselves for worldly honor and prejudices, and no religious issue would be the cause of their conflict, because in the latter case, it is possible that both might be depending on their own Ijtihad (exercise of opinion) for which they may be excused.
3. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported that: The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said:
“The reward for Salat performed by a person in congregation is more than 20 times greater than that of the Salat performed in one’s house or shop. When one performs Wudu’ perfectly and then proceeds to the mosque with the sole intention of performing Salat, then for every step he takes towards the mosque, he is upgraded one degree in reward, and one of his sins is eliminated until he enters the mosque, and when he enters the mosque, he is considered as performing Salat as long as it is the Salat which prevents him (from leaving the mosque); and the angels keep on supplicating Allah for him as long as he remains in his place of prayer. They say: ‘O Allah! have mercy on him; O Allah! forgive his sins; O Allah! accept his repentance. This will carry on as long as he does not pass wind”.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].
Commentary:
This Hadith shows that although it is permissible to perform Salat individually in marketplaces and houses, its collective performance in the mosque is 25, 26, or 27 times more meritorious, as mentioned in other Ahadith.
4. Abdullah bin `Abbas (May Allah be pleased with them) reported:
Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said that Allah, the Glorious, said: “Verily, Allah (SWT) has ordered that the good and the bad deeds be written down. Then He explained it clearly how (to write): He who intends to do a good deed but he does not do it, then Allah records it for him as a full good deed, but if he carries out his intention, then Allah the Exalted, writes it down for him as from ten to seven hundred folds, and even more. But if he intends to do an evil act and has not done it, then Allah writes it down with Him as a full good deed, but if he intends it and has done it, Allah writes it down as one bad deed”.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].
Commentary:
What the Prophet (PBUH) relates to Allah is called Hadith Qudsi (Sacred Tradition). Such Hadith is revealed to the Prophet (PBUH) by means of Ilham (inspiration). This Hadith mentions the magnitude of Divine blessings which He bestows upon His faithful slaves on the Day of Resurrection.
For more information on intention click here.
Source:
RYADUSSALIHEEN, Compiled by Imam Abu Zakaruya Yahya Bin Sharaf An-Nawawi with commentary on Ahadith Sheikh Safiur Rahman Mubarpuri. Chapter 1, Sincerity and Significance of Intentions and all Actions, Apparent and Hidden