Hadith No. 1 of Al-Arba’in al-Nawawiyyah

Hadith No. 1 of Al-Arba’in al-Nawawiyyah
Actions Are Judged by Intentions
Introduction
Hadith No. 1 of Al-Arba’in al-Nawawiyyah is one of the greatest and most comprehensive sayings of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. Imam al-Nawawi began his famous collection with this hadith because it establishes a fundamental principle of Islam: every act of worship and every deed is judged according to the intention behind it.
Scholars have described this hadith as one of the foundations upon which the religion is built. It teaches Muslims that sincerity (ikhlāṣ) is essential for every action seeking the pleasure of Allah.
The Hadith in Arabic
عَنْ أَمِيرِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ أَبِي حَفْصٍ عُمَرَ بْنِ الْخَطَّابِ رضي الله عنه قَالَ:
سَمِعْتُ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ﷺ يَقُولُ:
«إِنَّمَا الْأَعْمَالُ بِالنِّيَّاتِ، وَإِنَّمَا لِكُلِّ امْرِئٍ مَا نَوَى، فَمَنْ كَانَتْ هِجْرَتُهُ إِلَى اللَّهِ وَرَسُولِهِ، فَهِجْرَتُهُ إِلَى اللَّهِ وَرَسُولِهِ، وَمَنْ كَانَتْ هِجْرَتُهُ لِدُنْيَا يُصِيبُهَا، أَوِ امْرَأَةٍ يَنْكِحُهَا، فَهِجْرَتُهُ إِلَى مَا هَاجَرَ إِلَيْهِ»
Source: Sahih al-Bukhari (1) and Sahih Muslim (1907).
English Translation
‘Umar ibn al-Khattab (رضي الله عنه) reported:
“I heard the Messenger of Allah ﷺ say:
‘Actions are judged only by intentions, and every person will have only what they intended. So whoever’s migration was for Allah and His Messenger, then his migration was for Allah and His Messenger. Whoever’s migration was for worldly gain or for a woman to marry, then his migration was for whatever he migrated for.’
Historical Context and Background
This hadith was narrated by ‘Umar ibn al-Khattab (رضي الله عنه), one of the closest Companions of the Prophet ﷺ.
The Prophet ﷺ mentioned migration (Hijrah) because many Muslims had left Makkah for Madinah solely to obey Allah. However, there was also a well-known incident mentioned by scholars involving a man who migrated to marry a woman known as Umm Qays. Although the story is cited by some scholars to illustrate the hadith, it is not part of the authentic wording of the hadith itself, and scholars differed regarding the strength of its chain of narration.
The authentic lesson remains clear: the value of any deed depends upon the intention behind it.
What Is Niyyah (Intention)?
Niyyah means the intention or purpose in the heart before performing an action.
In Islam, intention distinguishes:
Worship from ordinary habits.
Sincere worship from showing off.
One act of worship from another.
The place of intention is the heart. There is no authentic evidence that the Prophet ﷺ verbally pronounced intentions before acts of worship such as prayer or fasting.
The Importance of Intention in Islam
This hadith teaches that Allah does not merely look at outward actions but also at the sincerity within the heart.
Allah says:
“And they were not commanded except to worship Allah, being sincere to Him in religion…”
(Surah al-Bayyinah 98:5)
Allah also says:
“Say, ‘Indeed, I have been commanded to worship Allah, sincere to Him in religion.'”
(Surah az-Zumar 39:11)
The Prophet ﷺ also said:
“Indeed Allah does not look at your appearance or your wealth, but He looks at your hearts and your deeds.”
Source: Sahih Muslim (2564).
Key Lessons from the Hadith
1. Every deed depends on intention
A single action may earn reward or no reward depending on why it was done.
For example:
Giving charity to please Allah earns reward.
Giving charity to gain praise from people earns no reward with Allah.
2. Sincerity is essential
Every act of worship must be performed solely for Allah.
Allah says:
“Whoever hopes for the meeting with his Lord, let him do righteous deeds and not associate anyone in the worship of his Lord.”
(Surah al-Kahf 18:110)
3. The same action may have different rewards
Two people may perform exactly the same deed, but their rewards differ because of their intentions.
One prays seeking Allah’s pleasure.
Another prays so others admire him.
The outward action is the same, but the reward is completely different.
4. Intentions can turn everyday activities into worship
When done seeking Allah’s pleasure, ordinary actions become acts of worship.
Examples include:
Sleeping to gain strength for worship.
Eating to maintain health for obeying Allah.
Working to earn lawful income and support one’s family.
Studying beneficial knowledge for Allah’s sake.
5. Good intentions alone are not enough
A deed is accepted only when it fulfils two conditions:
It is done sincerely for Allah.
It follows the Sunnah of the Prophet ﷺ.
Allah says:
“He who created death and life to test you as to which of you is best in deeds.”
(Surah al-Mulk 67:2)
Al-Fudayl ibn ‘Iyad (رحمه الله) explained that “best in deeds” means the most sincere and the most correct—sincere for Allah and correct according to the Sunnah.
Scholarly Explanations
Imam al-Shafi’i (رحمه الله)
Imam al-Shafi’i said this hadith enters into many chapters of knowledge and is among the most important hadith in Islam because intention affects every act of worship.
Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal (رحمه الله)
Imam Ahmad regarded this hadith as one of the principal foundations of Islam upon which many legal rulings are built.
Ibn Rajab al-Hanbali (رحمه الله)
In Jāmiʿ al-ʿUlūm wa al-Ḥikam, Ibn Rajab explains that this hadith addresses the inner aspect of actions, while other narrations address their outward correctness. Both sincerity and conformity to the Sunnah are necessary for acceptance.
Practical Applications
Muslims can apply this hadith by:
Renewing their intention before every prayer.
Seeking Allah’s pleasure when giving charity.
Studying Islamic knowledge to benefit themselves and others.
Working honestly to provide lawful earnings for their family.
Helping neighbours and relatives sincerely for Allah.
Avoiding showing off (riyā’).
Frequently checking their heart and correcting their intention.
Benefits of This Hadith
It teaches sincerity.
It purifies the heart.
It protects from hypocrisy and showing off.
It encourages self-accountability.
It increases the reward of ordinary daily actions.
It reminds Muslims that Allah knows what is hidden in the heart.
Authentic Sources
Qur’an: 98:5, 39:11, 18:110, 67:2.
Sahih al-Bukhari: Hadith 1.
Sahih Muslim: Hadiths 1907 and 2564.
Imam al-Nawawi, Al-Arba’in al-Nawawiyyah.
Ibn Rajab al-Hanbali, Jāmiʿ al-ʿUlūm wa al-Ḥikam.
Summary
Hadith No. 1 of Al-Arba’in al-Nawawiyyah teaches that every action is judged by the intention behind it. A believer should strive to purify the heart, seek Allah’s pleasure alone, and ensure that every act of worship follows the guidance of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. Sincere intentions transform ordinary actions into acts of worship, while insincere intentions can deprive a person of reward. This hadith reminds Muslims to constantly examine their motives and to worship Allah with sincerity and devotion.
Key Takeaways
Actions are accepted according to sincere intentions.
Intention is an act of the heart and does not require verbal utterance.
Sincerity (ikhlāṣ) is essential for every act of worship.
Accepted deeds require both sincerity for Allah and conformity to the Sunnah.
Everyday activities can become acts of worship when performed with the correct intention.
Regularly renewing and checking one’s intention is part of a believer’s spiritual growth.