"A righteous sincere intention has the amazing effect of attaining reward, even for a non-existing action; while an insincere intention has the effect of making an existing action non-existent in the sight of Allāh ta'ala.

For example, a person makes a sincere intention of donating �1000 to a good cause, but circumstances change and he is unable to do so; he will still get the reward for this non-existent action.

On the other hand if a person actually donates �1000 but the intention is for show or any other corrupt motive, then although the action is existent, in the Sight of Allāh ta'ala it shall yield no reward. In other words it is as if, in terms of reward, the action was non-existent."



Courtesy of In Shaykh's Company: a blog maintained by the students of Shaykh Muhammad Saleem Dhorat hafizahullah www.shaykh.org