The Prophet (May Peace and Blessings be upon him) said, "Actions are only by intentions, and a person receives only what he has intended. Therefore, whoever's emigration is for Allah and His Messenger, his emigration is [truly] for Allah and His Messenger. And whoever emigration is for any worldly gain or a woman to wed, then his emigration is for what he emigrated" (Bukhari and Muslim)
This hadith addresses one of the most important aspects of Islam- sincere intention in one's worship. The general meaning of the hadith is that a person should set aright his intention at the beginning of every action. The entitlement of reward for an action depends on a person's intention for performing that action. If an action is carried out with sincerity, it is rewarded by Allah, otherwise it is done in vain. Imam Ahmad Ibn Hanbal said that the fundamentals of Islam are based on three hadiths: this hadith, the hadith of Aisha (May Allah be well pleased with her), "Whoever innovates something reprehensive in this religion of ours which does not belong to it, it is rejected", and the hadith of Nu'man ibn Bashir (May Allah be well pleased with him) transmitted by Imam Muslim in his Sahih, 'The lawful is clear and the unlawful is clear...'
[Excerpt from Provisions of the Seekers©. Commentary by Abdur-Rahman Ibn Yusuf]
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