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

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

"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

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

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.”

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

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.