. J '-Ɵ  (cont.)

There is the pure and pious intention of performing a deed for the sake of Allah. There is also the religiously neutral intention where one seeks something permissible of this world. This is the understanding some scholars have of the emigration for the sake of this world or for marriage. Then there is the blameworthy, evil intention. Perhaps this hadith does not cover such intentions. Or, perhaps, it is implied but out of disdain for it, the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) did not mention it. (For example, one could imagine a man emigrating for the purpose of committing fornication with a woman.) Or, perhaps, one could understand emigration for the purpose of marrying as evil since it is an outwardly pious act, but the intention is completely wrong for that act. In each and every case, the person will get but what he intended. If the intention was for the sake of Allahwhich is the only pious intentionthen He shall receive the pleasure of Allah and reward from Him. If the intention was religiously neutral, the result will be something religiously neutral, although it may not be the exact result the person intended but Allah does not wrong any soul and He gives to those who strive. Again, taking the hadith as a whole, there is nothing to force the conclusion that he must get the exact thing that he strove for. Instead, it means that if the intention was evil, the result will be evilthat is, it will be something evil for him in the long-run. This understanding of the hadith is supported by the following verse from the Quran: ,; / / M ,., @,., / '" ' / / · '"' 11:ci ǖ েৈI \ j;J· / ::; ·/ Ll...UI A './:_ I \ :U ' N1.5-' . / __,,./A) ৳ r+ ূ DŽ '.r' ௩j) - Ɛ -fl u if / ,,.. / / / U ,., /_ ,,. ,,,J ,.. ,.. .z,., ,.,. J ' 1 .11 -;r1 o/ · ߣ1 · FiJ' ௤ / '" ę .:u1 ਄.L:r i ௪-=- Ȕ ' /. '"' 'Q 1 /. f -> .r- ( - i.:.r.. J @ uƚ '-it::" B / / ,.,. B ,,.. • 0 .. }.,J. 0 .. / / C .Y:/. I िlb ी l L././ 1 Commentary on the Forty Hadith of al-Nawawi intention or an evil intention. (An evil intention includes, in general, any intention to perform a sinful act regardless of any claim of a good motive.) In all cases, the person shall get only what he intended. If his intention was good and pious, it means that the act was for the sake of Allah. His intention was good so the end result will be good. As Allah says, ԛ11 qԜ F11 ৱT?.- ৲ "Is there any reward for good other than good?" (al-Rahmaan 60). It will be good for him in the Hereafteras long as he does not do anything to nullify his deedand it is also good for him in this life. The most important aspect, however, is concerning the Hereafter. If the person intended something permissible or religiously neutral, then he will get what he intendedthat is, something permissible, without punishment or reward in the Hereafter. He may not get exactly what he intended, like someone who migrates to marry a woman only to have her refuse to marry him. But Allah does not wrong anyone and He gives to those who strive, even if they strive for this world. For those who strive only for this world, He gives them of it although in the Hereafter they may receive nothing. Again, Allah says, ,,,. ,,,. / J ,., ., ,.,, ,,,. ., ' -- ' া" .,, 1 " " i ': 11 "" "'· ,-:,;: . .-- w""·:.U 1 --:_11 ' ' " \S' -- _.,,.J;J Ƙ 1*' ী ু. Jr' ਃJJ M oঽ -4_.r:! u if / / ,,,. ,,,. / J..e ,., ;;; ,,,. Ҿ,., ,,,. / -.... ,,,. ,,,. J } I A.\ I ';JI ,;". ȓI ·¤ ':' I -- ., I : .ll I ÍJ· i ID E } --. ., } 'Q I ௥ ;. J 5 ,,,._r;- ƌ ƍ Ǝ ়,,,. ঻ uƚ ƙ } • } }} . , -- -- -- _-1௢:--. I ., :;:.. . ਂ l t.. 1"," , ..---, ;. I : 1 " t " -- uƏ 'Y I.=:= ..... ._r:-:J Ƙ Ɨ \.A ਁJ "Whosoever desires the life of the world and its glitter, to them We shall pay in full (the wages of) their deeds they did therein, and they will have no diminution therein. They are those for whom there is nothing in the Hereafter but Fire; and vain are the deeds they did therein. And of no effect is that which they used to do" (Hood 1 5-16).