In the name of Allaah, The most beneficent in mercy, The most merciful.
Our actions are judged based on the intentions we have. If we intend to do something good and we did it we will be rewarded abundantly (in tenfolds) but if we intend to do good, and we were unable to do it due to some reasons, we will be rewarded as though we did it.
Likewise, if we intend to do bad and we realise that it is not advisable for us to do it, so we leave it, it will be written down for us as one good deed. While if the deed was carried out, it will be written as one bad deed and the pen will be raised for some time maybe we will repent or not and if we did not, it will be written as one bad deed but if we repent and feel remorse for doing it, it will be erased for us.
The evidence for this can be found in the popular Hadith narrated by Amir – ul- mu’mineen Abu Hafsoh ‘Umaar BN Al Khattab ( R.A): he said, he heard the prophet SAW saying:
إنما الأعمال بنيات, و إنما لكل امرئ ما نوى فمن كانت هجرته إلى الله و” رسوله، فهجرته إلى الله و رسوله، ومن كانت هجرته لدنيا يصيبها أو امرأة ينكحها،فهجرته إلى ما هاجر إليه”
It can found in both sahih Bukhari and Muslim, also in Arba’uuna Nawawi.
This Hadith talk about the importance of good intentions. It is about the hijrah of the prophet Muhammad (S.A.W), when he was being chased from his home (Makkah Al mukarromah), he has to leave with Allaah’s permission.
So the Muslims also follow, most follow for Allaah’s sake and His messenger but there are some that follow due to their own worldly affairs and benefit or because of a woman they want to marry, so the reward for leaving for Allaah’s sake will not be theirs due to their intention. While having to carry out an activity for Allaah’s sake is a great act of ‘ibadah.
Wallohu ta’ala A’lam.
AsSaalimiy.
