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If the person intends evilassuming this case is covered by this hadith, which is most likely the case since the word "actions" is generalthen the result will be what he intended. That is, it will be evil for him. Either he will be punished for it in this life or in the Hereafter (granted he does not repent later). Allah does not wrong any soul. The act driven by an evil intention will result in what the person intended: evil. But it will be evil for himself. He intended evil and this is what he will get, although he definitely did not intend evil for himself. Allah says, } :;; 0;1: :"; ঺ '. Hadith #1 : All Actions are but by Intentions . . . Other Important Points Related to This Portion of the Hadith Intentions go beyond Actions The actions of the heart (i.e., niyyah) can take one beyond what he can actually do by his physical deeds. (Recall that the word niyyah can also be used for actions beyond one's ability.) During the time of the Prophet (peace be upon him), a man prepared to go out for jihad but died before being able to do so. His daughter said to him, "I wished you had died a martyr, for you had prepared for it." The Prophet (peace be upon him) stated, /. ,,,. ,... ,,,. t .... ,,. ,,, rP /. "' tP ,,.. լ !j:; 1 2 3;,.1 'c!•} °J:; ௠J ௡ 4.Lil 0৤ "Allah has given his reward for him according to the extent of his intention."' In a hadith in Sahih al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim, the Prophet (peace be upon him) was on an expedition and he stated, 0 rP ,,.. .... o 0 ;" tP .W1 J J ; // ਀ ৿. J / 'ii G'C( 'i/ w ৺ 3 8.b:. ^..Wli _(-i 01 J ৽ /-/ ৾ J -/ J J . / / •; Ž _JJ "In Madinah there are a people we left behind. We do not pass through any ravine or valley except that they are with us [in reward]. They have been kept behind due to valid excuses." This concept, that a person's intention may go beyond his actions, could be partially what the phrase, "and every man shall have but that which he intended" alludes to. However, although many scholars discuss this point under this hadith, it seems that this is not what the hadith is referring to whatsoever. That is, the hadith is specifically concerned with the relationship between actually performed deeds and intention. In any case, this aspect does highlight the importance of the intention itself and how Allah views it. What types of Acts are Included The statement, "Verily, all actions are but driven by intention" applies to all types of deeds: statements and physical deeds, obligatory, recommended or permissible deeds. Ahmad ibn Hanbal said, "I love that for every action, whether they be prayers, fasts, charity, or any type of good deed, there would be the intention preceding it." Zaid al-Shaami said, "I love to make an intention for everything, even eating and drinking." There is some difference of opinion whether or not this includes the non-performance of certain acts. Is "not performing" or "avoiding" something 1 Recorded by Malik, al-Nasaai and others. In a footnote, al-Ashqar notes that its chain is sahih. See al-Ashqar, Muqaasid, p. 58. 1 1 7 Commentary on the Forty Hadith of al-Nawawi to be considered an act in itself? It seems that the strongest opinion is that if someone avoids a certain deed for the sake of Allah, then he will be rewarded. That is, he consciously and willingly does not do something, then he will be rewarded for that. This, for example, would be the case of someone who deliberately does not look at a woman standing next to him. If someone avoids specific deeds but not for the sake of Allah, then he will not be rewarded. For example, if a woman is standing next to a Muslim male but he does not look at her because he is busy reading a newspaper and does not notice her, he has not avoided looking her for the sake of Allah and hence he had no intention of not looking at her. Allah only accepts the Deeds done sincerely for Him and in Accordance with His Shareeah It should also be realized that any deed that is not done for the sake of Allah will not be accepted by Allah. If a deed is done with the sincere intention of pleasing Allah and following His commands, then that deed will be rewarded by Allah regardless of what aspect of life that deed deals with. The act could be related to an act of worship, a business transaction, treatment with friends or neighbors and so forth.