Everything Depends on the Purpose (Part 1)

This is the opening rule in discussing the rules of jurisprudence, namely one of the rules among the rules kubra, The rule reads:

Things fit his purpose

“Everything depends on the goal.”

The position and urgency of this rule

This rule is a rule that has a very high position. In this rule, there is a foundation for the actions of the heart, by which it can be known whether the actions carried out are valid or not. Likewise, the discussion of rewards and punishments revolves around this rule.

Moreover, this rule becomes increasingly important because this rule relies on the hadith of the Prophet sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam. He sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam said,

Actions are based on intentions

“Indeed, practice depends on intention.” (Muttafaqun ‘alaih)

The scholars stated that the hadith above is one third of knowledge. Some scholars explain why it is called a third of knowledge, namely because a servant’s practice consists of three things:

• Cardiac exercise
• Oral practice
• Body exercise

So the intention is included in one of the three practices above, namely “practice of the heart”.

Some scholars, there are also those who explain that the above hadith is one of the three hadiths which are the basis for the return of all laws. Even though the scholars differ regarding the hadiths in question, they agree on one hadith, namely the hadith mentioned above. This means that the above hadith is the basis for the return of all existing laws in the Islamic religion.

In fact, it has been cited as one statement (sayings) from Imam Asy-Syafi’i that the above hadith is included in seventy chapters among the chapters of existing knowledge. This shows the importance of intentions and goals in all existing activities.

Meaning of rules

In general, the meaning of the rule Things fit his purpose is,

“Basically all forms of activity mukallaf (servant), whether in the form of words, actions, or beliefs, each can be different (the results) depending on the goals and intentions.”

Maybe the question arises, why don’t the scholars just use the terms or pronunciations spoken by the Prophet sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, namely as in the hadith above.

The answer is why the ulama don’t use lafadz Actions are based on intentions just compared to pronunciation Things fit his purposebecause of the use of words important (all) is more general than using pronunciation Business (exercise).

Reason important (everything) includes all actions, words and beliefs. As for the pronunciation Business more specific in scope compared to important. It’s no different with lafaz Objective (goals) with Intention (Meaning). Why don’t scholars use the word intention in their rules? kubra This is because of lafaz Objective more general in scope.

For this reason, scholars use lafaz important to their goals, considering that the scope is more general and more directed to the matters in question.

The arguments for this rule

This rule is actually supported by other arguments from the Al-Qur’an and As-Sunnah along with ijma’. However, the main foundation of this rule is the hadith of the Prophet sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam which has been mentioned above. Namely a hadith from Umar bin Khattab radiyallahu ‘anhu, he said, “I heard the Messenger of Allah sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam said,

Actions are based on intentions, and for each person that is the intention. So whoever emigrates because of Allah and His Messenger, his emigration is for the sake of Allah and His Apostle, and whoever emigrates because he is earning a living in the world or wants to marry a woman, then his emigration is for the purpose of his emigration.

“Indeed, deeds depend on his intentions, and indeed a person will be rewarded according to his intentions. Whoever migrates because of Allah and His Messenger, then his migration is counted because of Allah and His Messenger. But whoever migrates because of the world he wants to obtain, or a woman he wants to marry, then his migration is counted only to the extent of that goal.” (Muttafaqun ‘alaih)

Among the arguments for this rule is the word of God Knocking,

And be patient with those who call on their Lord morning and evening seeking His face.

“Be patient (Prophet Muhammad) with those who call on their Lord in the morning and evening, hoping for His face.” (QS. Al-Kahf: 28)

In the verse above there is a proof that a person should always pay attention to his aims and intentions in doing good deeds, namely in the form of “hoping for Allah’s face in doing good deeds”. In the use of the word “hope” there is a meaning of intent and purpose. So the aims and intentions in worship should only be submitted to Allah and not to other people.

Among them is the word of God Knocking,

۞ And whoever emigrates in the way of Allah, he will obtain ease and comfort in his land. And whoever leaves his house while migrating to Allah and His Messenger, death will befall him, and his reward will fall to Allah, and Allah is Forgiving, Most Merciful.

“Whoever emigrates in the way of Allah, will surely find on this earth an abundant and spacious place of emigration (sustenance and life). Whoever leaves his home to emigrate for the sake of Allah and His Messenger, then dies (before arriving at his destination), indeed his reward has been determined by Allah. Allah is Forgiving, Most Merciful.” (QS. An-Nisa: 100)

In the verse above there is an indication of the importance of sincerity in the intention to do charity. There is an interesting story in this verse presented by Al-Imam Ath-Thabari God bless in his interpretation.

The story is when the Prophet sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam emigrated to the city of Medina, there was an old grandfather who had converted to Islam. He came from Banu Laits. The old grandfather lives in Mecca and has not yet had time to migrate to Medina. One day, he said to his family,

I will not spend the night in Mecca

“I couldn’t sleep at all at night in Makkah!”

This was due to his love for the Prophet sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam. Then he forced himself to leave Mecca and emigrated to Medina while he was ill. When he reached Tan’im on his way to Medina, he died. Then the verse above came down.

The lesson that can be learned is how big the matter of intention is in the Islamic religion. The parents had not yet arrived, in fact it could be said that it was still very far from reaching Medina. However, he received the reward of emigrating because of his honest and sincere intentions, because of his love for the Islamic religion and for his Prophet Muhammad. sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam.

Hope it is useful. God bless.

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Also read: Wasilah Law (Means) Depends on the Goals

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Dear, October 20, 23 2

Writer: Muhammad Zia Abdurrofi

Article Muslim.or.id

Reference:

Al-Wojes All-Fiqhi All-Culliyah by Idaahi Qowa, the work of Dr. Muhammad Shidqi bin Ahmad, and several other references.