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dealt with Jihad and mentioned some Ahaadeeth connected with this subject of niyyat.
There we discussed Hadeeth:
“The Jihad wherein the object is to attain name and fame is not acceptable by Allah.”
A certain Sahabi once passed by Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam). Noticing the
strength of his body and fine figure and posture the Sahabah remarked: “How wonderful
it would be if in this state he should go for Jihad, in the path of Allah?”
Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam) replied: “If this man should go forth in order to
(work and) maintain and support his minor children, he strives in the Path of Allah. And
if he goes forth to support his elderly parents, he also strives in the Path of Allah. And if
he goes forth to acquire (that whereby he sees to) his own daily necessities and to save
himself from consuming (and performing) that which is prohibited, he is also in the Path
of Allah. However, if he sets forth for fame or for show to be seen by others, he is in
the path of Shaytaan.” (Targheeb)
This Hadeeth and other similar Ahaadeeth clearly show that striving in the Path of Allah
is not only confined to actual Jihad. or non-obligatory acts or specific forms of worship.
No, apart from the obligatory acts and deeds of righteousness, any other righteous deed
done with good intention for the pleasure of Allah falls in the Path of Allah.
Anyone thinkipg that devotion to deen lies only in being busy with Ibaadah or thinking
that to be involved in worldly affairs is the opposite to devotion of deen, makes a grave
mistake. Not one of the authoritive Ulema has ever said that one should not seek the
necessary means of one’s livelihood or that one should discard looking for such means.
But this is important: One should not make the acquisition of worldly things one’s
objective in life. One should seek those necessities for Allah’s sake and according to His
stipulated rules and regulations. Never should one work to acquire fame, high rank for the
sake of boasting and then to become proud and arrogant, or to become noted in the eyes
of men.
Having said that, there is another side of the story. It is completely wrong and against
Islamic teachings to say that everyone is doing things for ‘‘selfish personal motives” and
“following his own desires.”
Allah says: 0 you who believe, avoid susptcion as much as possible for suspicion in some
cases is sin and spy not on each other; Nor speak ill of each other behind their backs.
(49.12)
Al- Eti’daal Fi Maraatibur- Rijaal 100