Hadith 1
'Umar bin Al-Khattab (May Allah be pleased with him), reported:
وعن أمير المؤمنين أبي حفص عمر بن الخطاب بن نفيل بن عبد العزى بن رياح بن قرط بن رزاح بن عدى بن لؤى ابن غالب القرشى العدوى. رضي الله عنه، قال: سمعت رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم يقول: " إنما الأعمال بالنيات، وإنما لكل امرىء ما نوى فمن كانت هجرته إلى الله ورسوله فهجرته إلى الله ورسوله، ومن كانت هجرته لدنيا يصيبها، أو امرأة ينكحها فهجرته إلى ما هاجر إليه" ((متفق على صحته. رواه إماما المحدثين: أبو عبدالله محمد بن إسماعيل بن إبراهيم بن المغيرة بن بَرْدِزْبَهْ الجعفي البخاري، أبو الحسين مسلم بن الحجاج بن مسلم القشيرى النيسابورى رضي الله عنهما في صحيحهما اللذين هما أصح الكتب المصنفة)).
The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "The deeds are considered by the intentions, and a person will get the reward according to his intention. So whoever emigrated for Allah and His Messenger, his emigration will be for Allah and His Messenger; and whoever emigrated for worldly benefits or for a woman to marry, his emigration would be for what he emigrated for". [Al-Bukhari and Muslim].
In plain words
Your deeds are weighed by what you intended, not just the outward act. The same effort done for Allah or for personal gain leads to entirely different outcomes, so check your heart's reason before you act.
Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 1 In-book reference : Introduction, Hadith 1
Hadith 2
Narrated 'A'ishah (May Allah be pleased with her) reported:
وعن أم المؤمنين أم عبد الله عائشة رضي الله عنها قالت: قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم : "يغزو جيش الكعبة فإذا كانوا ببيداء من الأرض يخسف بأولهم وآخرهم". قالت: قلت: يارسول الله، كيف يخسف بأولهم وآخرهم وفيهم أسواقهم ومن ليس منهم!؟ قال: "يخسف بأولهم وآخرهم، ثم يبعثون على نياتهم" ((متفق عليه. هذا لفظ البخاري)).
Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "An army will raid the Ka'bah and when it reaches a desert land, all of them will be swallowed up by the earth." She asked; "O Messenger of Allah! Why all of them?" He answered, "All of them will be swallowed by the earth but they will be raised for Judgement according to their intentions." [Al-Bukhari and Muslim].
In plain words
Even people swept up in the same event are judged individually by what each one intended. Belonging to a group does not erase your personal responsibility before Allah.
Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 2 In-book reference : Introduction, Hadith 2
Hadith 3
وعن عائشة رضي الله عنها قالت قال النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم: " لا هجرة بعد الفتح، ولكن جهاد ونية، وإذا استنفرتم فانفروا" ((متفق عليه)).
A'ishah (May Allah be pleased with her) narrated that the Prophet (ﷺ) said, "There is no emigration after the conquest (of Makkah) but only Jihad [(striving and fighting in the cause of Allah) will continue] and good intention.* So if you are summoned to fight, go forth." [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]..
In plain words
A sincere intention keeps its full worth even when the original circumstance has passed. What matters is staying ready to answer when you are called to do good.
Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 3 In-book reference : Introduction, Hadith 3
Hadith 4
Jabir bin Abdullah Al-Ansari (May Allah be pleasedwith them) reported:
وعن أبي عبد الله جابر بن عبد الله الأنصارى رضي الله عنهما قال: كنا مع النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم في غزاةٍ فقال: "إن بالمدينة لرجالاً ماسرتم مسيراً، ولا قطعتم وادياً إلا كانوا معكم حبسهم المرض" وفى رواية: "إلا شاركوكم في الأجر" ((رواه مسلم)). ((ورواه البخاري)) عن أنس رضي الله عنه قال: رجعنا من غزوة تبوك مع النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم فقال: " إن أقواماً خلفنا بالمدينة ما سلكنا شعباً ولا وادياً إلا وهم معنا، حبسهم العذر".
We accompanied the Prophet (ﷺ) in an expedition when he said, "There are some men in Al-Madinah who are with you wherever you march and whichever valley you cross. They have not joined you in person because of their illness." In another version he said: "They share the reward with you." [Muslim]. It is narrated by Bukhari from Anas bin Malik (May Allah be pleased with him): We were coming back from the battle of Tabuk with the Prophet (ﷺ) when he remarked, "There are people whom we left behind in Al- Madinah who accompanied us in spirit in every pass and valley we crossed. They remained behind for a valid excuse."
In plain words
Those kept home by a genuine excuse can share in the reward of those who went, because their hearts were with the effort. Sincere will can earn what the body was unable to carry out.
Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 4 In-book reference : Introduction, Hadith 4
Hadith 5
Ma'n bin Yazid bin Akhnas (May Allah be pleased with them) (he, his father and his grandfather, all were Companions) reported:
وعن أبي يزيد معن بن يزيد بن الأخنس رضي الله عنهم، وهو وأبوه وجده صحابيون، قال: كان أبي يزيد أخرج دنانير يتصدق بها فوضعها عند رجل في المسجد فجئت فأخذتها فأتيته بها، فقال: والله ما إياك أردت، فخاصمته إلى رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم فقال: " لك ما نويت يا يزيد، ولك ما أخذت يامعن" ((رواه البخاري)).
My father set aside some dinars for charity and gave them to a man in the mosque. I went to that man and took back those dinars. He said: "I had not intended you to be given." So we went to Messenger of Allah (ﷺ), and put forth the matter before him. He said to my father, "Yazid, you have been rewarded for what you intended." And he said to me, "Ma'n, you are entitled to what you have taken." [Al- Bukhari].
In plain words
A gift given with the wrong recipient still rewards the giver for his good intention, while the one who received it keeps what came to him. Allah honours the sincerity behind charity even when it does not land as planned.
Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 5 In-book reference : Introduction, Hadith 5
Hadith 6
Abu Ishaq Sa'd bin Abu Waqqas (May Allah be pleased with him) (one of the ten who had been given the glad tidings of entry into Jannah) narrated:
وعن أبي إسحاق سعد بن أبي وقاص مالك بن أهيب بن عبد مناف بن زهرة بن كلاب بن مرة بن كعب بن لؤى القرش الزهرى رضي الله عنه، أحد العشرة المشهود لهم بالجنة، رضي الله عنهم، قال: " جاءنى رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم يعودنى عام حجة الوداع من وجع اشتد بى فقلت: يارسول الله إني قد بلغ بى من الوجع ما ترى، وأنا ذو مال ولا يرثنى إلا ابنة لي، أفاتصدق بثلثى ما لي؟ قال: لا، قلت: فالشطر يارسول الله؟ فقال: لا، قلت: فالثلث يا رسول الله؟ قال الثلث والثلث كثير- أو كبير- إنك أن تذر ورثتك أغنياء خير من أن تذرهم عالة يتكففون الناس، وإنك لن تنفق نفقة تبتغى بها وجه الله إلا أجرت عليها حتى ما تجعل في فيّ امرأتك قال: فقلت: يارسول الله أخلف بعد أصحابي؟ قال: إنك لن تخلف فتعمل عملا تبتغي بهوجه الله إلا ازددت به درجة ورفعةً، ولعلك أن تخلف حتى ينتفع بك أقوام ويضرّ بك آخرون. اللهم امض لآصحابى هجرتهم، ولا تردهم على أعقابهم، لكن البائس سعد بن خولة" يرثى له رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم أن مات بمكة.((متفق عليه)).
Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) visited me in my illness which became severe in the year of Hajjat-ul-Wada' (Farewell Pilgrimage). I said, "O Messenger of Allah, you can see the pain which I am suffering and I am a man of means and there is none to inherit from me except one daughter. Should I give two-thirds of my property in charity?" He (ﷺ) said, "No". I asked him, "Then half?" He said, "No". Then I asked, "Can I give away one-third". He said, "Give away one-third, and that is still too much. It is better to leave your heirs well-off than to leave them poor, begging people. You will not expend a thing in charity for the sake of Allah, but you will be rewarded for it; even the morsel of food which you feed your wife". I said, "O Messenger of Allah, would I survive my companions?" He said, "If you survive others and accomplish a thing for the sake of Allah, you would gain higher ranking and standing. You will survive them... your survival will be beneficial to people (the Muslim) and harmful to others (the enemies of Islam). You will survive others till the people will derive benefit from you, and others would be harmed by you." Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) further said, "O Allah, complete for my Companions their emigration and do not cause them to retract." Sa'd bin Khaulah was unfortunate. Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) lamented his death as he died in Makkah. [Al-Bukhari and Muslim].
In plain words
Any good you spend seeking Allah's pleasure is rewarded, down to feeding your own spouse. Caring for your family and leaving them provided for is itself an act that pleases Allah.
Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 6 In-book reference : Introduction, Hadith 6
Hadith 7
Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) narrated:
وعن أبي هريرة عبد الرحمن بن صخر رضي الله عنه قال قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم: " إن الله لا ينظر إلى أجسامكم ، ولا إلى صوركم، ولكن ينظر إلى قلوبكم وأعمالكم" ((رواه مسلم)).
Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "Allah does not look at your figures, nor at your attire but He looks at your hearts and accomplishments". [Muslim].
In plain words
Allah pays no attention to your looks or clothing; He looks at your heart and what you actually do. Worth in His sight is measured by sincerity and deeds, not appearance.
Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 7 In-book reference : Introduction, Hadith 7
Hadith 8
Abu Musa Al-Ash'ari (May Allah be pleased with him) reported that Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) was asked about who fights in the battlefield out of valour, or out of zeal, or out of hypocrisy, which of this is considered as fighting in the cause of Allah? He said:
وعن أبي موسى عبد الله بن قيس الأشعرى رضي الله عنه قال: سئل رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم عن الرجل يقاتل شجاعة، ويقاتل حميةً، ويقاتل رياء، أى ذلك في سبيل الله؟ فقال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم: " من قاتل لتكون كلمة الله هى العليا فهو في سبيل الله" ((متفق عليه)).
"He who fights in order that the Word of Allah remains the supreme, is considered as fighting in the cause of Allah". [Al-Bukhari and Muslim].
In plain words
Fighting only counts as being in Allah's cause when the aim is that His word stays supreme, not pride, anger, or show. The motive, not the bravery on display, decides its value.
Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 8 In-book reference : Introduction, Hadith 8
Hadith 9
Abu Bakrah Ath-Thaqafi (May Allah be pleased with him) reported:
وعن أبي بكرة نفيع بن الحارث الثقفى رضي الله عنه أن النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم قال: "إذ التقى المسلمان بسيفيهما فالقاتل والمقتول في النار" قلت يارسول الله، هذا القاتل فما بال المقتول؟ قال: "إنه كان حريصاً على قتل صاحبه" ((متفق عليه)).
The Prophet (ﷺ) said: "When two Muslims are engaged in a combat against each other with their sword's 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 (ﷺ) replied: "He was eager to kill his opponent". [Al-Bukhari and Muslim].
In plain words
When two believers fight each other meaning to kill, both bear the blame, because even the one who was killed had the same intent in his heart. A sinful intention carries weight even when it does not succeed.
Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 9 In-book reference : Introduction, Hadith 9
Hadith 10
Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported that:
وعن أبي هريرة رضي الله عنه قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم : "صلاة الرجل في جماعة تزيد على صلاته في سوقه وبيته بضعاً وعشرين درجه وذلك أن أحدهم إذا توضأ فأحسن الوضوء ثم أتى المسجد لا يريد إلا الصلاة، لا ينهزه إلا الصلاة، لم يخط خطوة إلا رفع له بها درجة، وحط عنه بها خطيئة حتى يدخل المسجد، فإذا دخل المسجد كان في الصلاة ما كانت الصلاة هى تحبسه، والملائكة يصلون على أحدكم ما دام في مجلسه الذى صلى فيه، ما لم يحدث فيه" ((متفق عليه، وهذا لفظ مسلم)). وقوله صلى الله عليه وسلم: ' ينهزه هو بفتح الياء والهاء وبالزاى: أى يخرجه وينهضه '
The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) 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].
In plain words
Setting out for the mosque with the pure intention of prayer brings reward with every step, sins falling away and angels asking forgiveness for you. Sincere worship is generously rewarded far beyond the act itself.
Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 10 In-book reference : Introduction, Hadith 10
Hadith 11
'Abdullah bin 'Abbas (May Allah be pleased with them) reported:
وعن أبي العباس عبد الله بن عباس بن عبد المطلب رضي الله عنهما، عن رسول الله، صلى الله عليه وسلم، فيما يروى عن ربه، تبارك وتعالى قال: " إن الله كتب الحسنات والسيئات ثم بين ذلك: فمن همّ بحسنة فلم يعملها كتبها الله تبارك وتعالى عنده حسنة كاملة، وإن هم بها فعملها كتبها الله عشر حسنات إلى سبعمائه ضعف إلى أضعاف كثيرة، وإن هم بسيئة فلم يعملها كتبها الله عنده حسنة كاملة، وإن همّ بها فعملها كتبها الله سيئة واحدة " ((متفق عليه)).
Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) 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].
In plain words
Allah's generosity tips heavily toward mercy: intending good earns reward even if undone, doing it multiplies it greatly, while a bad intention left unacted is recorded as a good deed. His grace far outweighs His reckoning of sin.
Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 11 In-book reference : Introduction, Hadith 11
Hadith 12
'Abdullah bin 'Umar bin Al-Khattab (May Allah be pleased with them) narrated that:
وعن أبي عبد الرحمن عبد الله بن عمر بن الخطاب، رضي الله عنهما قال: سمعت رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم يقول: " انطلق ثلاثة نفر ممن كان قبلكم حتى آواهم المبيت إلى غار فدخلوه، فانحدرت صخرة من الجبل فسدت عليهم الغار، فقالوا: إنه لا ينجيكم من هذه الصخرة إلا أن تدعوا الله بصالح أعمالكم. قال رجل منهم: اللهم كان لي أبوان شيخان كبيران، وكنت لا أغبق قبلهما أهلاً ولا مالاً. فنأى بى طلب الشجر يوماً فلم أرح عليهما حتى ناما فحلبت لهما غبوقهما فوجدتهما نائمين فكرهت أن أوقظهما وأن أغبق قبلهما أهلاً أو مالاً، فلبثت- والقدح على يدى- أنتظر استيقاظهما حتى برق الفجر والصبية يتضاغون عند قدمى- فاستيقظا فشربا غبوقهما. اللهم إن كنت فعلت ذلك ابتغاء وجهك ففرج عنا ما نحن فيه من هذه الصخرة، فانفرجت شيئاً لا يستطيعون الخروج منه. قال الآخر: اللهم إنه كانت لي ابنة عم كانت أحب الناس إلىّ " وفى رواية: "كنت أحبها كأشد ما يحب الرجال النساء، فأردتها على نفسها فامتنعت منى حتى ألمّت بها سنة من السنين فجاءتنى فأعطيتها عشرين ومائة دينار على أن تخلى بينى وبين نفسها ففعلت، حتى إذا قدرت عليها" وفى رواية: "فلما قعدت بين رجليها، قالت: اتق الله ولا تفض الخاتم إلا بحقه، فانصرفت عنها وهى أحب الناس إلى وتركت الذهب الذى أعطيتها، اللهم إن كنت فعلت ذلك ابتغاء وجهك فافرج عنا ما نحن فيه، فانفرجت الصخرة غير أنهم لا يستطيعون الخروج منها. وقال الثالث: اللهم استأجرت أجراء وأعطيتهم أجرهم غير رجل واحد ترك الذى له وذهب، فثمرت أجره حتى كثرت منه الأموال، فجاءنى بعد حين فقال: يا عبد الله أدّ إلى أجرى، فقلت: كل ما ترى من أجرك: من الإبل والبقر والغنم والرقيق. فقال: يا عبد الله لا تستهزئ بى! فقلت: لا أستهزئ بك، فأخذه كله فاستاقه فلم يترك منه شيئاً، اللهم إن كنتُ فعلت ذلك ابتغاء وجهك فافرج عنا ما نحن فيه، فانفرجت الصخرة فخرجوا يمشون" ((متفق عليه)).
He heard Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) as saying: "Three men, amongst those who came before you, set out until night came and they reached a cave, so they entered it. A rock fell down from the mountain and blocked the entrance of the cave. They said: 'Nothing will save you from this unless you supplicate to Allah by virtue of a righteous deed you have done.' Thereupon, one of them said: 'O Allah! I had parents who were old, and I used to offer them milk before any of my children or slaves. One day, I went far away in search of grazing and could not come back until they had slept. When I milked as usual and brought the drink I found them both asleep. I hated to disturb them and also disliked to give milk to my children before them. My children were crying out of hunger at my feet but I awaited with the bowl in my hand for them to wake up. When they awoke at dawn, they drank milk. O Allah! If I did so to seek Your Pleasure, then deliver us from the distress caused by the rock'. The rock moved slightly but they were unable to escape. The next said: 'O Allah! I had a cousin whom I loved more than any one else (in another version he said: as a man can love a woman). I wanted to have sexual intercourse with her but she refused. Hard pressed in a year of famine, she approached me. I gave her one hundred and twenty dinars on condition that she would yield herself to me. She agreed and when we got together (for sexual intercourse), she said: Fear Allah and do not break the seal unlawfully. I moved away from her in spite of the fact that I loved her most passionately; and I let her keep the money I had given her. O Allah! If I did that to seek Your Pleasure, then, remove the distress in which we are.' The rock moved aside a bit further but they were still unable to get out. The third one said: 'O Allah! I hired some labourers and paid them their wages except one of them departed without taking his due. I invested his money in business and the business prospered greatly. After a long time, he came to me and said: O slave of Allah! Pay me my dues. I said: All that you see is yours - camels, cattle, goats and slaves. He said: O slave of Allah! Do not mock at me. I assured him that I was not joking. So he took all the things and went away. He spared nothing. O Allah! If I did so seeking Your Pleasure, then relieve us of our distress.' The rock slipped aside and they got out walking freely". [Al-Bukhari and Muslim].
In plain words
Three men trapped by a rock were each saved when they appealed to Allah through a deed done sincerely for Him: honouring parents, leaving a sin out of fear of Him, and dealing honestly with another's wages. Sincere deeds can rescue us in our hardest moments.
Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 12 In-book reference : Introduction, Hadith 12