. J '-Ɵ  (cont.)

y::-- k "The life of this world is but play and pastime." This is the case only with respect to those who are overcome by this world and only desire this world. Otherwise, this world can be a source of much good if it is used in preparation for the Hereafter. "All actions" ( JlAc. ௺I) The word used in this hadith is the plural of the word "deed" or "action". In this hadith, the word begins with Ji, that means that it is a general term and includes all actions that fall under the possible meaning of this term. 2 Thus, it includes actions of the body and speech, obligatory and voluntary 1 Quoted in Al-Shanqeeti, Kauthar, vol. 1 , p. 1 34. 2 A general term includes everything that falls within its meaning. However, it may be particularized; that is, it may be shown that exceptions are made. This will be the case here as involuntary actions will be excluded from the actions mentioned in this hadith. Hadith #1 : All Actions are but by Intentions . . . deeds, small and large deeds. Some people exclude speech as they do not consider it a type of action. Ibn Daqeeq al-Eid called this opinion strange or far-fetched.1 Al-Shanqeeti concludes that metaphorically speaking, speech is a kind of action but not in a literal sense. However, many scholars restrict this hadith to the actions of the responsible believers only. Their argument is that the hadith refers to acts of worship and acts of worship are only proper from responsible believers. Others restrict the meaning to shareeah acts only, that is, acts of worship plus acts related to legal matters. Nevertheless, there does not seem to be any evidence to restrict the term only to the actions of the believers. Indeed, there does not seem to be any evidence to restrict the meaning of the word to the acts of worship or to acts of the shareeah only. It does, though, seem that acts here must be restricted to conscious, intentional acts. Acts are sometimes performed unintentionally, without any will or purpose to do so. Hence, they are done without intention and the hadith, then, could not be referring to such acts. The Letter Ba (Y) The letter ba has many meanings in the Arabic language. In this hadith, the Prophet (peace be upon him) said, "Verily, all actions are but ba intention." There are two interpretations for this letter in this particular hadith. The first interpretation is that the ba is what is known as ba al-musaahibah (the ba of accompaniment). In this case, the hadith would mean: Actions are accompanied by intention. A second interpretation is that the ba is what is known as ba al­ sababiya (the ba of causation). This is a ba that is showing a causal relation. Therefore, for this particular hadith, the meaning would then be: Actions are "caused" by intention. Al-Aini says that this is definitely not the case while Al­ Shanqeeti states that either one is possible. If this were the case, it would mean that the reward is confirmed due to the intention as it is the intention that has led to the act in the first place. This seems to be the strongest view and it is the understanding accepted in this commentary. According to al-Aini, al-Karmaani mentions that this is a different type of ba, one which is known as ba al-isti 'aanah (the ba referring to something used as an aid). This would imply something like, "Actions are done with the help of intention." Most of the commentators on this hadith do not mention or consider this last view.2 1 Quoted in Al-Shanqeeti, Kauthar, vol. l , p. 134. 2 Mahmood al-Aini, Umdah al-Qaari Sharh sahih al-Bukhaari (Beirut: Daar al-Turath al­ Arabi, n.d.), vol. l , p. 24, Commentary on the Forty Hadith of al-Nawawi The Meaning of al-Niyyah (௷I) An important aspect that must be discussed is the meaning of the word "intention" (Ar., niyyah ). Saalih al-Sadlaan discusses the linguistic roots of the word al-niyyah and then has a passage that describes the meaning of the word in this context, The real purport of intention: Some say that it is seeking something. Some say that it means seriousness in one's seeking. For example, ibn Masood once said, "Whoever intends this worldly life will not be able to achieve it," that is, one who seriously seeks it. Some say that it means to intend something in the heart. Others say that it means resolve in the heart. Some say that it comes from the word al-nawa which means distance as if the intention for something implies seeking something with purpose and resolve that one cannot reach by his limbs and apparent actions due to its distance from him. Hence, this intention becomes the means by which he achieves it. Ibn Qayyim al-Jauziyyah defined intention as the knowledge of a doer of what he is doing and what is the purpose behind [this action].