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* Introduction

* Meaning of Intention (Niyyah).

* Intention in the Quran and Sunnah of the prophet.

* Relationship between Intention and Worships.

* Conclusion.

Introduction

in the name of Allah the most gracious the most merciful and peace and blessing of Allah be upon our prophet Muhammad and all his companions and all of his family. to proceed,

we should always praise and thank Allah the Almighty, who give us rewards according to what we intend to do and what we indeed have done. 

In the life of every one, there must be goals and tasks that should have a plan and then should have done to make the person hit the point and reach his goal.

It’s definitely necessary for everyone to intend and mean what he want to do before he do it because intention is a big power for the heart which accompanies with work ,deed and effort.

That’s why we should know importance of Intention to deal with our action in a best way.

 Meaning of Intention (Niyyah)

“intention” transliterated as Niyyah in the Arabic language , is an Islamic concept: the intention in one’s heart to do an act for the sake of God (Allah). Niyyah means: to intend or have a purpose doing something at any time.

It has many definitions such as,

– The determination and willing to do something that get out from within the soul or the body parts: (the soul, heart and the mind).

– The purpose and the consciousness that controls the action, if both of them with certainty in the goodness then deeds are good, and vice versa.

Intention in the Quran and Sunnah of the prophet

– Allah mentioned that in the Qur’an clearly and with a hidden meaning saying,

” Each works according to his manner, but your Lord is most knowing of who is best guided in way.” [al-Israa 84]

so, people’s deeds could may be similar in action , but it must be a variety in intention of each one.

” And invoke Him in fear and aspiration. Indeed, the mercy of Allah is near to the doers of good.” [al-A’raaf 56]

when a servant want to pray Allah with anything , he should have a sincere and true intention with his Du’aa and then if he was really truthful Allah will accept that from him. this is also like the verse,

” They arise from [their] beds; they supplicate their Lord in fear and aspiration, and from what We have provided them, they spend.” [as-Sajdaa 16]

” And they were not commanded except to worship Allah, [being] sincere to Him in religion, inclining to truth, and to establish prayer and to give zakah. And that is the correct religion.” [al-Bayinaa 5]

Allah commands us to sincerity in His religion-Islam- and purity in intention and purpose. His worships like, perform the prayer(Salah) and establishing Zakah; should accompanies with a pure and sincere intention only to Allah, and this could be come true if the believer submit with all his power and body to Allah the creator of everything.

– there are many Ahadith in the sunna of the prophet about intention(Niyyah); the most famous and important one in most of Ahadith books is,

It has been narrated on the authority of Umar b. al-Khattab that the Messenger of Allah )PBUH) said:

” (The value of) an action depends on the intention behind it. A man will be rewarded only for what he intended. The emigration of one who emigrates for the sake of Allah and His Messenger (PBUH) is for the sake of Allah and His Messenger (PBUH) ; and the emigration of one who emigrates for gaining a worldly advantage or for marrying a woman is for what he has emigrated.” [Sahih Muslim 33/222]

This Hadith is very important one which has many benefits and knowledge about intention and its relation to work and deeds. It can help Muslims evaluate and judge what they do and say related to all worships. Niyyah has two meanings:

– Intention before performing an ‘ibadah (Prayer, Fast, Hajj,… etc.)

– Willingness of performing an action.

This Hadith shows us the importance of intention and sincerity( Ikhlas- to truthful and honest to Allah alone). Ikhlas is one of conditions for the validity and acceptance of good deeds.

Ibn al-Qayyim says: Any action may be defective for 3 reasons:

1- To be aware of people’s observation.

2- Seeking a reward for the action.

3- Being satisfied with the action.

Relationship between Intention and Worships

The intention is a great matter,  the spirit of deeds, and it has its righteousness; as the prophet [PBUH] said:

” (The value of) an action depends on the intention behind it. A man will be rewarded only for what he intended”.

Intention’s position is only in the heart and deeds takes into account if the person intended it before his action; so, purification, prayer, fasting, Zakah, pilgrimage(Hajj) and all worships are not valid without intention.

 it is so simple when we see that if the person go to do any deeds, which mean that it is because his intention related to this work.

 Ibn rajab said: the validity and rewards  of any deeds and worships related to sincere or pure intention. invalidity of deeds and punishment over it related to bad intention.

Conclusion

The reward over intention are going to increase whatever the person increased his intention in deeds and worships. Each person should take care about his intention in all his actions, deeds and worships; doing it only to Allah the Almighty, so that He accepts them and rewards him upon in shaa Allah.

References

1)  al-ma’any Arabic-Arabic / Arabic-English Dictionary.

2) Holly Qur’an( Sahih international copy).

3) Sahih Muslim (33/222).

4) Commentary on the forty Hadith of Al-Nawawi, Dr. Jamal Ahmad Badi.

External links:

– https://Sunnah.com/Muslim/33/222

– https://www.alukah.net/publications_competitions/0/5622

 Allah (May He be Exalted) says, “And by the mercy of Allah, you dealt gently with them. And if you had been cruel and harshed-heart, they would have broken away from you; so pass over [their faults], and ask [Allah’s] forgiveness for them; consult them in the affairs. Then when you have taken a decision, put your trust in Allah.” ⁽¹⁾

“وَلَوْ كُنتَ فَظًّا غَلِيظَ الْقَلْبِ لَانفَضُّوا مِنْ حَوْلِكَ ۖ فَاعْفُ عَنْهُمْ وَاسْتَغْفِرْ لَهُمْ وَشَاوِرْهُمْ فِي الْأَمْرِ ۖ فَإِذَا عَزَمْتَ فَتَوَكَّلْ عَلَى اللَّهِ ۚ إِنَّ اللَّهَ يُحِبُّ الْمُتَوَكِّلِينَ”(آل عمران 159)

• Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) is the best of mankind. He is the most merciful man on earth. He has shown mercy not only to humans but also to all creatures. A short story to be mentioned when the companions made a new pulpit. for the prophet instead of the palm trunk that he used to address the people over. When the prophet left the palm trunk, it cried loudly, and people didn’t even know where precisely that sound came from. Only the prophet knew that it was the palm trunk, he calmed him down and went back to address the people over it.  
• According to the abovementioned verse, Prophet Muhammad, unlike the brutal dictators of his age in Rome or Persia, was a man of prudence, very kind, and very helpful. Despite the fact that he was the founder of the New Muslim State in Medina and the leader of the Ummah, he used to consult his companions in life matters and gave much space for the expertise each in his field of knowledge, and the examples of this are so many, so, it is beyond our ability to mention them all. Due to the briefness and humbleness of this article, We will try to shed light on some examples that show how humble and wise our prophet was. 

It is narrated that Prophet Muhammad commanded the Muslim army against Quraysh in Badr just behind the wells of Badr. Al- Khabbab ibn al-Mundhir, one of the prophet companions who was an expert in warfare, has asked the prophet to change the position of the army to seize the wells of Badr so that they may take control over the water and prevent their enemies from reaching the water the opinion which was a successful strategic view of the battlefield. When he heard that opinion of al-Khabbab, Prophet Muhammad immediately gave him the permission he wanted and moved the army to the place that al-Khabbab suggested. This example and many others prove, without a doubt, that Prophet Muhammad counseled his companions and did listen to their views and suggestions.  

     In brief, the previously mentioned attributes and others had clearly proven without a doubt that Prophet Muhammad was a true leader and ideal example; Allah says, “Indeed in the Messenger of Allah, you have a good example to follow for him who hopes [the meeting with] Allah and the Last Day, and remembers Allah much.” ⁽²⁾

“لَّقَدْ كَانَ لَكُمْ فِي رَسُولِ اللَّهِ أُسْوَةٌ حَسَنَةٌ لِّمَن كَانَ يَرْجُو اللَّهَ وَالْيَوْمَ الْآخِرَ وَذَكَرَ اللَّهَ كَثِيرًا” (الأحزاب 21)

___________________

-References and Citation:

(1) (2) Muhammad Taqi al-Din al Hilali, Muhammad Muhsin Khan, The translation of the meanings of the noble Qur’an, (Medina- K.S.A: king Fahd complex for the printing of the Holy Qur’an, 1404 A.H).

-Further Reding:

Al-Fusul fi Sirat al-Rasul by Ibn Kathir.

 It goes without saying that women makeup half of any society and beget the other half so they are the whole society. 

      Despite the fact that women had undergone oppression, humiliation, and exclusion in previous eras and civilizations, we might know that the West accuses Islam of humiliating women, imposing them to make many things without their consent, and accuses Muslims of being aggressive against women. 

     Fairly and honestly, the Qur’an and the Prophet (PBUH) have defended and ensured the rights of women in a manner that reflects how great the position they have in Muslim society is and exceeds their wild imagination. Although it is beyond our ability to mention all the verses or hadiths that assert the high esteem that women enjoyed under the umbrella of Islam, we will try to show this by giving some brief examples that support the view.

    Allah says, “And force not your maids to prostitution, if they desire chastity, in order that you may make a gain in the goods of this worldly life…” [al-Noor 33]. ⁽¹⁾

“وَلَا تُكْرِهُوا فَتَيَاتِكُمْ عَلَى الْبِغَاءِ إِنْ أَرَدْنَ تَحَصُّنًا لِّتَبْتَغُوا عَرَضَ الْحَيَاةِ الدُّنْيَا ۚ” (النور 33)

      This verse urged the people not to force their maids, servants, and slave girls to commit the sin of Zina fornication and become unchaste to earn money and gain in the goods of this worldly life. It is to be noted that this verse defended the rights of maids and slave girls to save their chastity, and prevented their guardians from forcing them to unchastity, so what would we think of free women?

     The prophet (PBUH) called for love, loyalty, Mutual mercy and forgiveness, and discarding household minor mistakes so that homes can be established on a strong foundation that can withstand heavy storms.

     Our beloved prophet (PBUH) has urged us to treat women kindly and mercifully. The prophet set an example of kindness and companionship with his wives; it is recorded that he told ‘A’esha (may Allah be pleased with her) “I know the times when you are angry and the times when you are pleased with me.” “How do you know that O Messenger of Allah?” she replied. “If you are satisfied you would say, ‘No, I swear by Muhammad’s Lord, and if you are angry you would say, ‘No, I swear by Abraham’s Lord” he replied. 

‏”‏ إِنِّي لأَعْلَمُ إِذَا كُنْتِ عَنِّي رَاضِيَةً، وَإِذَا كُنْتِ عَلَىَّ غَضْبَى ‏”‏‏.‏ قَالَتْ فَقُلْتُ مِنْ أَيْنَ تَعْرِفُ ذَلِكَ فَقَالَ ‏”‏ أَمَّا إِذَا كُنْتِ عَنِّي رَاضِيَةً فَإِنَّكِ تَقُولِينَ لاَ وَرَبِّ مُحَمَّدٍ، وَإِذَا كُنْتِ غَضْبَى قُلْتِ لاَ وَرَبِّ إِبْرَاهِيمَ ‏”‏‏.⁽²⁾                                                               ‏

     On a trip, the prophet (PBUH) was racing `A’esha as she said “O Messenger of Allah, race me!” and she beat him, and this was before putting on weight. When she put on weight, she raced him again but he won this time and said, “Tit for tat.” (هذة بتلك) 

     From the previously mentioned examples, we can notice that prophet Muhammad (PBUH) gave us the ideal example in treating women since he gave them all respect and prohibited ill-treating them, so we should follow his way, obey his path, and take into consideration that women are our mothers, sisters, wives, and daughters; The prophet said, “Drive slowly with the glass vessels.”  “‏ارْفُقْ يَا أَنْجَشَةُ، وَيْحَكَ، بِالْقَوَارِيرِ”‏‏  ⁽³⁾when the servant drove the camels that women ride on fast.” 

References: 

(1) Muhammad Taqi al-Din al Hilali, Muhammad Muhsin Khan, The translation of the meanings of the noble Qur’an, (Medina- K.S.A: king Fahd complex for the printing of the Holy Qur’an, 1404 A.H).

(2)  Sahih al-Bukhari 5228, Book 67, Hadith 161. 

(3)  Sahih Al Bukhary 6161, Book 78, hadith 187.   

Further readings: 

• The Tafseer of al-Imam al-Sa`di, Tayseer al-Kareem al-Rahman fi Tafseer Kalam al-Mannan. 
• Sahih al-Bukhary, The book of  Marriage. 
• Sahih al-Bukhary, the book of good manners.

External Links:

• https://sunnah.com/bukhari/67/161
• https://sunnah.com/bukhari/78/233