Effects of Good Intentions on Permissible actions

by **samirisaoui** Wed Nov 20, 2013 4:30 am

Shaykh Nathim Sultan

Islam is based on a law system derived from God’s revelation. There are 5 rulings any action may fall under. Obligatory, preferred, permissible, disliked, and forbidden.
It is well known in Islamic law that everything is permissible except that which is clearly forbidden in the authentic texts. Also according to the scholars, a permissible act is an action that neither brings about reward nor brings about punishment. Performing or abandoning the permissible action is the same. Yet, one will gain a reward if he precedes performing a permissible act with a good intention seeking the pleasure of Almighty God, such as eating less in order to discipline oneself toward to self-control with intention to become stronger in worship and in obedience to God and His Messenger, (pbuh) or one’s holding a job in the intention that he support his family and giving charity to others who can’t work.
Many scholars agree with this understanding. Ibn Al-Qayyim said, “Those who are the closest to God are the ones who have their permissible acts turned into acts of worship and into a means of getting closer to God, on account of their good intentions. They no longer have a permissible act that is equal on both sides (where doing or abandoning it is the same). All their deeds are leaning to one side, (that is, they always gain a reward).” Also, ibn Al-Hajj Al-Maliki said, “With a good intention, a permissible action may become a preferred act. And if we can precede an act with a good intention similar to that which precedes performing an obligation, it will be even better in this case, because of the Hadith, ‘And My servant will not perform any act of worship better in My Sight than doing that which I have obliged on him.’ [al-Bukhari" Also, An-Nawawi said, in his book, Al-Arba`un an-Nawawiyyah, about this Hadith (#25 of the Forty Nawawi Hadiths), "This Hadith proves that permissible acts will be turned into acts of worship if accompanied by good intentions. Sexual intercourse (for example) becomes an act of worship if one intends by it to satisfy and fulfill his wife’s needs, to live with her in a way that is better, while seeking offspring.
What gives further proof to the validity of these sayings by the respected scholars, is the Hadith by the Prophet to Saa`d ibn Abi Waqqas, "You will not give away a charity with which you seek the pleasure of God, but you will gain a reward for it, including what you put in your wife’s mouth (of food)." [Al-Bukhari & Muslim]. After mentioning this Hadith, An-Nawawi said, “Putting a bite (of food) in one’s wife’s mouth, is usually considered a permissible act.. Yet, if a good intention and seeking the pleasure of God precede this action mentioned in this case, then this person will gain a reward as a bounty from Almighty God.”
Imam As-Suyuty said, “One of the best supporting evidence that the scholars have used to prove that the Muslim will gain a reward on account of his good intention when performing a permissible, is the Prophet’s (PBUH) saying, ‘And every person will earn that which he intended.’ Those who do this (preceding a permissible with a good intention), will gain a reward if they intend (by their actions) to draw closer to God. However, if they did not intend that, then they will not gain any reward.” Also, the Prophet said, “And one will be performing an act of charity when he has sexual intercourse (with his wife).” The companions said, “O Messenger of God! Will one be satisfying his desire and still gain a reward?” He said, “Do you see that if he satisfies this desire by fornication, will he carry the weight of this evil act? Likewise, if he satisfies his desire by legal means (in marriage), he will gain a reward.” [Muslim & Ahmad]
Source:
www.islaam.com
http://www.the-faith.com/general-articles/effects-of-good-intentions-on-permissible-actions/