بِسْمِ اللّٰهِ الرَّحْمٰنِ الرَّحِیْمِ
In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful

Rulings on Intention (In the Light of Hadith)

Umm al-Mu’minin Umm ‘Abdullah, Sayyidah ‘Aishah (RA) reported that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
“An army will set out with the intention of attacking the Ka‘bah. When it reaches al-Bayda’ (an open plain), all of them—the first and the last—will be swallowed by the earth.”
Sayyidah ‘Aishah (RA) said: I asked, “O Messenger of Allah ﷺ! How will all of them be swallowed while among them will be ordinary market people (i.e., not fighters) and others who are not part of them?”
He ﷺ replied: “All of them—the first and the last—will be swallowed; then they will be resurrected according to their intentions (i.e., on the Day of Judgment they will be dealt with according to their intentions).”
(Sahih al-Bukhari, Sahih Muslim)

A person will be treated well or badly according to his intention and purpose. From this it is also understood that accompanying people who commit oppression and wrongdoing is extremely dangerous. Which army this is and when it will appear—its knowledge rests only with Allah. Such prophecies are among the miracles of the Prophet ﷺ, and believing in their occurrence and truth is necessary, because such prophecies are based on divine revelation.

Abu Yazid Ma‘n (RA) reported: My father Yazid took out some dinars to give in charity and placed them in the mosque (of the Prophet ﷺ) with a man so that he might give them to someone in need. I came to the mosque and took those dinars from him (as I was in need) and brought them home. When my father came to know, he said: “By Allah! I did not intend to give them to you.”
So I took my father to the Prophet ﷺ and presented the matter before him. The Prophet ﷺ said:
“O Yazid! You will receive the reward according to your intention, and O Ma‘n! What you have taken is lawful for you.”
(Sahih al-Bukhari)

From this it is understood that if charity unintentionally reaches a needy son, it does not need to be taken back, because the father intended to give it to someone deserving and he will receive the reward according to his intention. However, according to some scholars, this applies to voluntary charity, because obligatory charity (zakat) cannot be given to those whose expenses are already the responsibility of the giver. Taking one’s father to a lawful authority or a scholar to learn the ruling is not disobedience, just as discussing and debating religious matters is not disrespect.

Abu Hurairah ‘Abd al-Rahman ibn Sakhr (RA) reported that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
“Allah does not look at your bodies or your appearances; rather, He looks at your hearts and your deeds.”
(Sahih Muslim)

This hadith also clarifies the importance of sincerity and correct intention. Therefore, it is essential to ensure sincerity in every righteous deed and to keep the heart free from anything that may corrupt the action—such as showing off, seeking fame, worldly greed, or other base motives. However, since the reality of hearts is known only to Allah, the true nature of deeds will be made clear on the Day of Judgment when reward or punishment is granted by Allah. In this world, people are dealt with according to their outward actions, while their inner states are left to Allah.