1. The lesson discusses the importance of intentions (niyyah) in Islam, as intentions determine the reward for one's actions. 2. A hadith relates that the deeds are considered by the intentions, and a person will get the reward according to his intention. 3. Intentions reside in the heart, not on the tongue, so uttering intentions outwardly is an innovation. 4. One may appear to do good or bad outwardly, but intentions are what truly distinguish actions and determine reward on the Day of Judgment.

1. Riyaad-us-Saliheen
Sincerity and Significance of Intentions and all Actions,
Apparent and Hidden
Taught by Br Wajdi Akkari
Commentary of Shaikh Ibn Uthaymeen
Lesson 1

2. Intro
• Most Ulama when compiling books will start with Niyyah as it is a fundamental
part of Islam
• Niyyah (singular) – Nawayah (Plural)
• Definition - Intentions

3. "And they were commanded not, but that they should worship Allah, and worship
none but Him Alone (abstaining from ascribing partners to Him and staying on the
straight path), and perform As-Salaah and give Zakat, and that is the religion of truth
(Islam).''
(98:5)
"It is neither their meat nor their blood that reaches Allah, but it is piety from you
that reaches Him.''
(22:37)
• The kuffar used to strike the walls of the Kaaba with the flesh and blood of
slaughtered animals (camels in particular) thinking it would get them closer to
Allah. This was revealed to show that Allah does not receive its flesh or blood but
rather it is the Taqwa (piety) that you have when slaughtering the animal for the
sake of Allah.
"Say (O Muhammad ‫:)ﷺ‬ Whether you hide what is in your breasts or reveal it, Allah
knows it".
(3:29)
Verses

4. Hadith
Narrated 'Umar bin Al-Khattab (May Allah be pleased with him), reported: 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]
• The reason for this Hadith is that a person migrated for marriage to a woman named
Umm Qais. On account of this, the hadith is to show the distinction between
people’s Nawayyah
• The place of the Niyyah is the heart; there is no room for it on the tongue.
• Therefore whoever utters the Niyyah for Salah, fasting, Hajj, wudhu or any other
deed; is an innovator saying about Allah that which he has no knowledge of.
• The prophet ‫ﷺ‬ used to pray, fast, make wudhu and perform Hajj, and would never
utter intentions (nawaytuwwan).
• Ulama say that Labbaik Allahuma Umrah or Hajja is not an intention but rather to
initiate the act of worship

5. Hadith
Narrated A`ishah (May Allah be pleased with her) reported: Messenger of Allah ‫ﷺ‬ said,
"An army will raid the Kaaba and when it reaches a desert land, all of them will be
swallowed up by the earth.'' She asked; "O Messenger of Allah ‫!ﷺ‬ Why all of them (even
though they will be common people unaware of the Kings intentions)?'' 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]
• The details of the army, which has been referred to in the Hadith, and when will it
invade Kaaba, is a matter known to Allah Alone.
• From this we learn that one may be doing something that appears good or bad but
the Niyyah is the point of difference
• We judge based on what is apparent even if people claim differently; Umar (RA)
used to say there are hypocrites around us, whoever shows goodness and
righteousness we will bring him near to us and whoever shows other than that we
keep away from.
• Whoever associates with people of evil and transgression he will be included in the
punishment, when it comes - it will encompass everyone. Then on the day of
judgement he will be raised based on his intentions
• Allah says: “And protect yourselves from a fitnah which will not afflict those who
were oppressive among you particularly, and know that Allah is severe in
punishment.”

6. Hadith
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]
• There will be no need to emigrate from a Muslim land.
• Depending on circumstances there is defensive and offensive jihad, however there
are guidelines and stipulations. This would require a lot of time to cover

7. Hadith
Jabir bin Abdullah Al-Ansari (May Allah be pleased with them) reported: 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]
• If a person intends a righteous deed but is prevented due by some preventive
means then he is given the reward based on his intention. Many Sahabah wanted
to go with them on the expedition but they were sick. So that Niyyah brought
them what they wanted.
• The prophet ‫ﷺ‬ said, “Whoever sincerely asks Allah for martyrdom but passes away
on his deathbed, he is given the reward of martyrdom.”
• As for the one who used to do it while not having any excuse then he would get
the full reward. The prophet ‫ﷺ‬ said “If a person is sick or is travelling, there is
written for him (the reward) for the deeds he used to do when he was healthy or
not travelling.”(Bukhari)
• Whoever then intends goodness and is keen on it and used to be consistent with
it but was prevented by any means he would still receive his full reward.