SCHOLARS OF HADEETH BEGIN THEIR BOOKS WITH THE **HADITH OF INTENTION**

 

 

 

 

Many scholars of Hadith begin their books with the **Hadith of Intention** (also known as the *Hadith of Niyyah*), which emphasizes sincerity in actions. The most famous version of this hadith is narrated by **'Umar ibn al-Khattab (رضي الله عنه)**, where the Prophet (ﷺ) said:

 

 **"إِنَّمَا الأَعْمَالُ بِالنِّيَّاتِ، وَإِنَّمَا لِكُلِّ امْرِئٍ مَا نَوَى..."**

 

 

 *"Verily, deeds are only by intentions, and every person will have only what they intended..."*

 

 *(Bukhari 1, Muslim 1907)*

 

 

 Why Do Hadith Scholars Begin with This Hadith?

 

 

1. **Emphasis on Sincerity (Ikhlas)** – This hadith teaches that the acceptability of deeds depends on the intention behind them, reminding students of knowledge to seek Allah's pleasure.

 

2. **Foundation of All Actions** – It sets the tone for learning and practicing Islam, ensuring that one’s efforts are for the sake of Allah, not for fame or worldly gain.

 

3. **Scholarly Tradition** – Many great Hadith compilers, such as **Imam Bukhari, Imam Nawawi (in *Riyad us-Saliheen*)**, and others, started their books with this hadith to highlight its importance.

 

 

 Examples of Books That Begin with This Hadith:

 

 

- **Sahih al-Bukhari** (the first hadith in the book)

 

- **Riyad us-Saliheen** by Imam Nawawi

 

- **Umdat al-Ahkam** by Ibn Qudamah

 

- **Bulugh al-Maram** by Ibn Hajar al-Asqalani

 

This tradition reflects the scholars' focus on purifying intentions before seeking or transmitting knowledge.

 

The **Hadith of Intention** (*"Innamal a'malu binniyyat..."*) is not just a foundational teaching in Islam but also a guiding principle in **Islamic scholarship**. Scholars of Hadith, Fiqh, and other Islamic disciplines apply this hadith in multiple ways, both theoretically and practically. Here’s how:

 

 

**1. Purification of Intentions in Seeking Knowledge**

 

 

Scholars emphasize that **knowledge must be sought purely for Allah’s sake**, not for fame, debate, or worldly gain.

 

- **Imam Nawawi** (in *Riyad us-Saliheen*) begins his book with this hadith to remind students that religious learning must be for **pleasing Allah, not showing off**.

 

- **Imam Bukhari** opens *Sahih al-Bukhari* with it to set the tone that Hadith transmission must be sincere.

 

- **Ibn Rajab al-Hanbali** (*Jami' al-Ulum wal-Hikam*) explains that without sincerity, knowledge can lead to arrogance or hypocrisy.

 

 

 **2. Basis for Legal Rulings (Fiqh)**

 

 

The hadith affects Islamic jurisprudence in several ways:

 

- **Validity of Worship** : Acts like prayer, fasting, and Hajj require a **correct intention** (*niyyah*) to be valid.

 

- **Distinguishing Between Acts**: The same action can have different rulings based on intention (e.g., giving charity for show vs. sincerity).

 

- ** Moral & Legal Accountability ** : A person is judged by their intention, not just outward actions (e.g., breaking a fast unintentionally vs. deliberately).

 

 

**3. Hadith Criticism & Verification**

 

 

Scholars of Hadith (*Muhaddithun*) apply this principle when:

 

- **Evaluating Narrators**: A narrator’s integrity (*'Adalah*) includes sincerity in transmitting Hadith.

 

- **Detecting Fabrications**: False Hadith often arise from **bad intentions** (e.g., promoting sectarian views or personal agendas).

 

- **Motivation for Preservation**: Early Hadith scholars traveled extensively and endured hardships **only to preserve the Sunnah**, not for personal glory.

 

 

**4. Spiritual & Ethical Training**

 

 

Sufi scholars and moral teachers (*Ahl Al-Tazkiyah*) use this hadith to:

 

- **Warn Against Hidden Shirk (Riya’)**: Acting to impress people nullifies rewards.

 

- **Encourage Self-Accountability (Muhasabah)**: One must constantly check their intentions in learning, teaching, and practicing Islam.

 

- **Prioritize Quality Over Quantity**: A small deed with sincerity is better than many insincere ones.

 

 

**5. Scholarly Debates & Derivations**

 

 

The Hadith of Intention has led to deep discussions among scholars, such as:

 

- **Does intention need verbal declaration?** (Most say no—it’s a matter of the heart.)

 

- **Can a good intention make a sinful act permissible?** (No—intention does not override Shariah boundaries.)

 

- **Does intention affect worldly matters?** (Yes—e.g., trade can be worship if done with honesty for Allah’s sake.)

 

 

**Key Books & Scholars Who Expanded on This Hadith**

 

 

1. **Imam Bukhari** – Started *Sahih al-Bukhari* with it.

 

2. **Imam Nawawi** – Explained it in *Sharh Sahih Muslim* and *Riyad us-Saliheen*.

 

3. **Ibn Rajab al-Hanbali** – Dedicated a full chapter in *Jami' al-Ulum wal-Hikam*.

 

4. **Ibn Daqiq al-'Eid** – Analyzed it in *Sharh al-Arba'in al-Nawawiyyah*.

 

 

**Conclusion: A Lifelong Reminder for Scholars & Students**

 

 

This hadith is not just an introduction in books but a **continuous lesson** for:

 

- **Teachers** – To avoid pride in knowledge.

 

- **Students** – To seek knowledge for Allah, not degrees or status.

 

- **Callers to Islam (Du'at)** – To ensure their work is for Allah’s sake, not fame.

 

As **Imam Shafi’i** said:

 

*"I wish people would learn this knowledge without it being attributed to me, so that I would get its reward without their praise."*